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.