Writing skills

Linking words

Linking words help link sentences to other sentences and paragraphs to other paragraphs. These linking words help to:

increase cohesion in your writing by connecting your ideas.
add clarity to your writing so you say exactly what you want to say.
make your writing sound more professional.

Compare the two paragraphs below. Notice how the linking words add flow to the paragraph

Paragraph with no linking words

Linking words have a number of specific language functions, such as sequencing, summarising and referencing. Linking words enable writers to express their ideas naturally. Linking words can be extremely useful, it is important not to overuse them, your writing may sound too verbose. Not using them enough will make your writing sound simplistic. Be sure that you use a suitable range of linking words.

Paragraph with linking words (bold)

Linking words have a number of specific language functions, such as sequencing, summarising and referencing. In addition, linking words enable writers to express their ideas naturally. Although linking words can be extremely useful, it is important not to overuse them, otherwise your writing may sound too verbose. In contrast, not using them enough will make your writing sound simplistic. Finally, be sure that you use a suitable range of linking words.

The function of linking words

Linking words can be used in your writing to help the reader see connections between ideas. They can be used to fulfil a number of different functions as shown below.

Function

Sentence to previous sentence

Subordinate clause

To add information

furthermore, in addition, moreover, besides … , apart from …

and, as well as

To show cause and effect

therefore, thus, hence, consequently, as a result, for this reason, accordingly

because, since, as, otherwise

To contrast/contradict information

in contrast, on the other hand, conversely, however, nevertheless, meanwhile, on the contrary, despite this,

whereas, while, although, even though, but

To emphasise and highlight

in fact, indeed, obviously, undoubtedly, clearly, it is evident that, as a matter of fact

To equate/show similarity

in the same way, similarly, likewise

To refer back

as noted above, as stated previously, originally, in the past, earlier, formerly

To present alternatives

alternatively, on the other hand, then again

To provide examples

for example, for instance, in this case, to illustrate this, … exemplify, … is observed

To show a sequence

finally, subsequently, first of all, to begin with, at first, firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc.

after, before, when, while, as, until

To summarise and simplify

on the whole, in brief, to conclude, in conclusion, in summary, to sum up, in other words

To show an idea is limited or uncommon

seldom, not many, few, a limited number, a few, … is restricted, … is rare

To show an idea is widespread

several, the majority, most, a high proportion, a large percentage, a substantial number, significant, typically

References

Manalo, E., Wong-Toi, G., & Bartlett-Trafford, J. (2009). The Business of Writing: Written communication skills for Business students. North Shore, New Zealand: Pearson Education New Zealand.
Sowton, C. (2012). 50 Steps to improving your academic writing.Lebanon: International Press./div>

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