Linking Words & Phrases in Essays

Connectives

Using Connectives Correctly    (check this link)

Conjunctions like AND, OR, BUT, BECAUSE and ALTHOUGH

We use words called conjunctions, like and, or, but, because and although, to join two parts of sentences. 

Conjunctions can be used to give more information, give alternatives, give reasons, give results or give unexpected information.

We use and, or and but to connect two parts of sentences which are similar in grammatical status.

Practicing Grammar

Prepositions

In English you use prepositions to connect nouns or between nouns and pronouns. Imagine that you encounter two nouns: elephant and book. You can use prepositions in many ways to connect the two nouns to express different ideas:

Identifying & Writing Argumentative Text

I.  Introduction

The first stage in critical thinking is argument identification.  Given that some of what people say and do is not argumentative, one must be able to distinguish the arguments from other types of expression.  

This entry is designed to help you enhance your ability to spot arguments when they are afoot.

Writing Strategies: Compound - Complex Sentences

Compound - Complex Sentences 


Since a dependent clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence, complex sentences must also have at least one independent clause. 

A sentence with two or more independent clauses plus one or more dependent clauses is called compound-complex or complex-compound.

Writing Strategies: Complex Sentences

How to write complex sentences

Writing a complex sentence is easy if you have a basic understanding of conjunctions and relative pronouns. Study the examples given below.

Writing Skills: Paraphrasing and Summarising

What is summarising?

Summarising is how we take larger sections of text and reduce them to their bare essentials: the gist, the key ideas, the main points that are worth noting and remembering.

Remember to use highlighter pens to select the key points and /or a spider diagram.

Preparing and Delivering Presentations

In business and industry, employees are frequently asked to give presentations to customers,
managers, team members and others. Many qualifications will help to prepare you for the world of

work by asking you to deliver presentations to your fellow students.

Before you start

Stop and think! 

Writing Skills: How to Write Effective Conclusions

The conclusion is the easiest paragraph to write because in many ways you are just using ideas you have already mentioned in your introduction and main body paragraphs. 

However, this is the last thing the examiner will read and it is therefore crucial that you finish strongly.

Harvard Referencing

Writing Skills: Starts and Transitions

It can sometimes be difficult to start a sentence to express ideas, or find words to show the relationship between ideas. 

Below is a list of possible sentence starters, transitional and other words that may be useful.

Writing Skills: Introduction to Writing Non-Fiction

Non-fiction can be used to describe a variety of texts, including speeches,

leaflets, newspaper and magazine articles, reports, letters and guides. Each text has its own conventions for layout, structure and language.

With every text type, two key questions can be considered:

    · What is the purpose of the writing? (What is it meant to do?)

 ·  Who is the audience? (Who is the intended reader?)

Once these questions have been answered the layout, structure, language choices and particular techniques that you should use within the piece of writing can then be established.

Writing Skills: Introductions and Conclusions

Introductions

   •Why are they important?

   •What do they look like?

    Good Introductions :

•Show that you know what you are talking about and that you are going to complete the task.

•Are clear, concise (8-9%of total number of words) and well structured (YOUR PLAN).

•Show evidence that you have carried out some research – refer to at least one of the sources.

Apostrophes

The Correct Use of the Apostrophe

The rules concerning the use of apostrophes in written English are very simple:

Reading Skills: Synthesis

Synthesizing is an important skill to help you make sense of what you are reading. It is important to recognise that summarising and synthesizing are different activities.

 The chart below, highlights some of the differences between summarizing and synthesizing information.