Linking Words
STUDENT Learning Centre
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES
Most pieces of formal writing are organised in a similar way: introduction; development of main ideas or arguments; conclusion. Linking words and phrases join clauses, sentences and paragraphs together. A piece of writing or text may include the following:
idea
and
one idea is linked to another
idea
or
an alternative is presented
idea
but
an objection is made
idea
Connectives The main linking words and phrases are grouped below according to the similarity of their meaning to the three basic connectives and, or, but. Some can be used to link paragraphs and others can only be used to link ideas within a paragraph. 1 enumeration (points in order) 2 addition i reinforcement ii comparison b transition (leads to a new stage) c summary (gives a summary or conclusion) d reference (refers to what was said before) e example f result (the consequence of what was said before) g place (refers to things in or outside the document) h time (refers to other studies) a listing i reformulation (expresses something in another way) j replacement (expresses an alternative) k contrast (presents a different view) l concession (agrees that something is good, with limitations)
1 and
2 or 3 but 1. a) and
Listing 1. Enumeration indicates a cataloguing of what is being said. Most lists use clearly defined groups of words: first, furthermore, finally,
one
a second
a third
etc.
first(ly),
second(ly), ...
third(ly), ...
etc.
to begin/start with,
in the second place,
moreover,
to conclude,
above all last but not least first and foremost first and most importantly
mark the end of an ascending order mark the beginning of a descending order
STUDY SKILLS BROCHURE SLC/06/2006 CRICOS Registered Provider: The Flinders University of South Australia CRICOS Provider Number: 00114A
2.
Addition to what has been previously indicated. i.
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES
Most pieces of formal writing are organised in a similar way: introduction; development of main ideas or arguments; conclusion. Linking words and phrases join clauses, sentences and paragraphs together. A piece of writing or text may include the following:
idea
and
one idea is linked to another
idea
or
an alternative is presented
idea
but
an objection is made
idea
Connectives The main linking words and phrases are grouped below according to the similarity of their meaning to the three basic connectives and, or, but. Some can be used to link paragraphs and others can only be used to link ideas within a paragraph. 1 enumeration (points in order) 2 addition i reinforcement ii comparison b transition (leads to a new stage) c summary (gives a summary or conclusion) d reference (refers to what was said before) e example f result (the consequence of what was said before) g place (refers to things in or outside the document) h time (refers to other studies) a listing i reformulation (expresses something in another way) j replacement (expresses an alternative) k contrast (presents a different view) l concession (agrees that something is good, with limitations)
1 and
2 or 3 but 1. a) and
Listing 1. Enumeration indicates a cataloguing of what is being said. Most lists use clearly defined groups of words: first, furthermore, finally,
one
a second
a third
etc.
first(ly),
second(ly), ...
third(ly), ...
etc.
to begin/start with,
in the second place,
moreover,
to conclude,
above all last but not least first and foremost first and most importantly
mark the end of an ascending order mark the beginning of a descending order
STUDY SKILLS BROCHURE SLC/06/2006 CRICOS Registered Provider: The Flinders University of South Australia CRICOS Provider Number: 00114A
2.
Addition to what has been previously indicated. i.