Signal Words

Among the most valuable transitions for you to locate are the signal words that tell you, the reader, that something is especially important.

This, that, these, those, one, -est forms of adjectives (safest, greatest, highest)

main and

vital indeed

significant moreover

chief even though

central at any rate

principal naturally above all

primary still

major of course

distinctive

finally especially

just as not only….but also

should be(remembered, noted, observed)

most (important, noteworthy, obvious)

Illustration Words

Illustration Words signal that examples or illustration will follow to clarify, define, explain, or develop and idea or a generalization.

that is (to say) such as

for instance as, as when

the following to illustrate

for example specifically

Order or Time Sequence Words

Sequence Words indicate that the author is arranging things according to their order of importance or the order in which they happened.

first, second soon, as soon as

next when, whenever

then subsequently

finally presently

ultimately here, there

most important from….to, until

before, after

Addition Words

Addition words tell you that the writer’s idea will continue in the same direction, with more points or details added.

in addition next (reason, quality, example, event)

also

and moreover

another again

furthermore other(reason, qualities)

Comparison Words

Comparison words signal that two or more things are the same or similar.

similarly and

likewise just as…so

both comparatively

each can be compared

alike same

also

Contrast Words

Contrast words signal the writer will shoe an opposite view or change the direction of a previously stated idea. Or the writer may slightly alter or modify an earlier statement; the writer “shifts gears.”

however still

but yet

in contrast nevertheless

instead even though

on the contrary although, though

on the other hand despite

conversely different from, than

each whereas

neither…nor While

either…or more, less than

then…now one…the other

-er(forms of some…other

adjectives) than

Cause-Effect Words

Cause-effect words signal that one thing caused another to happen. Sometimes a cause – effect relationship is shown within a sentence that contains this kind of signal.

because then

since if…then

when, whenever thus

after as a result

consequently therefore

hence from…to, until

Summary Words

Summary Words signal the conclusion of a topic. Sometimes they indicate the most important point within a paragraph or at the end of a longer discussion.

finally in brief

last, last of all again

therefore to repeat

hence above all

to summarize, most important

to sum up

in conclusion, ultimately

to conclude

to reiterate