This information has been produced by the EBE Learning Development Centre. If you are a student in this school, you have access to their blackboard community. You can also contact your own learning development centre for further help.
Continuation words
These words work as signals; this means that there are more ideas to come. These words occur within sentences, not at the beginning.
and | also | another |
again | and finally | first of all |
furthermore | in addition | more |
moreover | next | one reason |
other | secondly | similarly |
too | with |
Change of direction words
These words mean: ‘Watch out - we are changing direction of the argument’. These words occur within sentences, not at the beginning.
although | but | conversely |
despite | different from | even though |
however | in contrast | instead of |
the opposite | on the contrary | on the other hand |
rather | still | yet |
while | though |
These words indicate that there is an order to the following ideas, discussion or description.
first, second, third | A,B,C | in the first place |
for one thing | then | next |
before | now | after |
while | into | until |
last | during | since |
always | later | earlier |
These words let the reader know that an example will follow.
for example | specifically | for instance |
to illustrate | such as | focusing on |
in the same way | including |
These words and phrases signal that the information provided is important.
a major development | importantly | a significant factor |
most of all | a primary concern | most noteworthy |
a key feature | the basic concept | a central issue |
It should be noted | a distinctive quality | the critical criteria |
above all | the main value | especially relevant |
the crux of the matter | important to note | the principal item |
These words indicate that an explanation is following.
because | if | of |
for | from | so |
while | then | but |
that | until | since |
as | whether | in order that |
so that | therefore | unless |
yet | thus | due to |
resulting from | consequently |
These words demonstrate the direction of the argument.
between | on | by | outside | next to |
here | there | left | inside | near |
right | these | close to | alongside | upon |
near | this | side | over | opposite |
middle | beside | about | out | below |
under | away | in front of | far | adjacent |
across | into | behind | in | above |
toward | beyond |
These words occur within sentences, not at the beginning.
and | or | also | too | best |
most | either | less | less than | more than |
same | better | even | then | half |
much as | like | analogous to | but | though |
still | yet | however | although | opposite |
rather | while | different from |
Conclusion Words
These words indicate the end of a discussion.
as a result | consequently | finally | therefore | from this |
in conclusion | in summary | hence |
Fuzz Words
The idea is not definite, or the author wishes to qualify a statement.
almost | if | purported | maybe | could |
suggested | except | should | alleged | nearly |
might | reputed | probably | may | assumed |
possibly | implies | indicated | some | seems |
supposed |
Emphasis Signals
These are graphic formatting words that highlight specific words, ideas or sections.
Underline never use this on a web page or blog, as it indicates a live link | Numbered points (1, 2, 3) | Italics beware of using this on a web page |
Short sentence: |
|
Bold type |
Indentation of paragraph | “Quotation marks” | Graphic illustrations |
1.2 Subheading |
That is the end of our section on signal words.