Signal Words

Many sentences show a logical relationship among the ideas they contain. Signal words (also known as transition words) are specifics words and phrases that suggests which logical relationship is used.

Collectively, these relationships reveal a text structure, an internal organization of a text. That is, they show how information is organized in a text and presented to the reader. In nonfiction and informational texts, the writer's intent or purpose in creating the text often determines how the text will be organized.

Note: Most writers switch from one type of text structure to another an may even combine structures.

Words that suggest a contrast:

albeit

all the same

although

as opposed to

be that as it may

but

contrarily

contrary

conversely

despite

differ

different from

even as

even at

even if

even so

even though

even with

for all that

however

in contrast

in spite of

in truth

instead

ironically

nevertheless

nonetheless

notwithstanding

on the other hand

otherwise

per contra

rather than

regardless

save for

though

though this may be

unlike

unusual

whereas

while

yet

Words that suggest cause and effect:

accordingly

as a consequence

as a result

because / becomes

cause / caused

concluded that

consequently

due to

effects

ergo

give / gave rise to

hence

if so

if…(then)

in consequence

in consideration of

in order to

in view of

led to / lead to

make / made

on account of

reason

result / resulted in

resulting from

since

so

so much that

the more...the more

thereby

therefore

thereupon

thus

under these circumstances

under those circumstances

was so...that

was such...that

Words that suggest a comparison:

alike

also

analogous to

both

by the same token

comparatively

compared with

correspondingly

equally

in like manner

in similar fashion

in the manner that

in the same degree

in the same manner

in the same way as

just as...(so)

likewise

much like

same as

similar to

similarly

too

Words that suggest addition-listing:

additionally

along with

also

an additional

another

as well as

besides

chiefly

coupled with

first...second...third...

furthermore

in addition

moreover

Words that suggest illustration-exemplification:

in other words

in particular

including

for example

for instance

namely

specifically

such as

that is

Words that suggest chronological-sequential order:

first, second, third...

to begin with

finally

before

after

now

next

soon

then

while

when

ultimately