Guide your reader

Transitions

To show similarity

• also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly, equally

To show exception/contrast

• but, however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet, (n)either…(n)or, whereas, conversely, while

To show sequence/order and time

• first, second, third, first of all, for a start, next, then, following that/this, finally after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, initially, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then, previously, eventually, afterwards

To show reference

• considering, regarding, with regards to, as for, on the subject of

To show example

• for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate, in particular, particularly

To build on previous ideas

• having established that if so in order to in that/this case in this connection moreover so that/which implies then

To show emphasis

• even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly, notably, of note, significantly, actually, especially, above all

To show cause and effect

• accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus, inasmuch as, given that, being that, owing to (the fact), since, providing, in order to, so as to, lest, otherwise

To refine

• effectively, this suggests in essence more precisely more specifically

To give additional support/evidence

• additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then, not only… but also, what is more

To show concession

• even so, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite, in spite of, notwithstanding, albeit, granted, at any rate, all the same, rather, instead, at least

To show conclusion/summary

• finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary, overall

Signposting

Point the reader forward

• •In this section, I will ... •My next chapter will consider why ... •A recent study suggests ... •One important recent finding indicates that ...

point the reader backwards

• •This suggestion ... •These ideas ... •This brief outline suggests ... •Such proposals ...

point the reader both ways

• •Despite these reports, other writers have proposed ... •In spite of these findings, teachers believe ... •This view has been rejected by some authors who claim that ... •In contrast, a recent article ...