Source: https://study.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/linda_bloomberg_academic_writing_resource.pdf
Continuation Signals (a warning that there are more ideas to come)
- A final reason
- Again
- Also
- And
- And finally
- Another
- Besides
- Equally important
- First of all
- Further
- Furthermore
- In addition
- Last of all
- Likewise
- More
- Moreover
- Next
- Of equal importance
- One reason
- Other
- Secondly
- Similarly
- Then
- Too
- With
Change-of-Direction Signals (watch out, we’re doubling back)
- Admittedly
- Although
But
Conversely
Despite
Different from
doubtless
Even though
Granted
However
In contrast
In spite of
Instead of
It is true
Nevertheless
On the contrary
On the other hand
Otherwise
Rather
Regardless
Still
The opposite
Though
To be sure
True
While
Yet
Sequence Signals (there is an
order to these ideas)
A, B, C
After
Always
As soon as
Before
During
Earlier
Finally
First, second, third
For one thing
From here on
Gradually
Hence
In the end
In the first place
Into (far into the night)
Last
Last of all
Later
Next
Now
On time
Since
Then
To begin with
Until
While
Time Signals (when is it
happening?)
After a short time
After awhile
Afterward
Already
At last
At length
At the same time
During
Final
Finally
Immediately
In the meantime
Last
Lastly
Lately
Later
Little by little
Next
Now
Once
Presently
Soon
Subsequently
The next week (month,
day, year)
Then
Thereafter
Ultimately
When
When
Illustration Signals (here’s what
that principle means in reality)
Another
For example
For instance
For this purpose
For this reason
For these reasons
Furthermore
In addition
In the same way as
Just as important
Moreover
Most important
Much like
Similar to
Similarly
Specifically
Such as
To be specific
To begin with
To illustrate
To this end
With this in mind
Emphasis Signals (This is
important)
Aboveall
A central issue
A distinctive quality
A key feature
A major development
A major event
A primary concern
A significant factor
A vital force
Above all
Again
As a matter of fact
As has been noted
As I have said
By the way
Especially important
Especially relevant
Especially valuable
First and foremost
Important to note
Importantly
In fact
Indeed
It all boils down to
More than anything else
Most noteworthy
Most of all
Of course
Pay particular attention
to
Remember that
Should be noted
The basic concept
The chief outcome
The crux of the matter
The main value
The most substantial
issue
The principle item
To be sure
Cause, Condition, or Result
Signals (condition or
modification is coming up)
Accordingly
Also
As a consequence
As a result
Because of
But
Consequently
Due to
For this reason
From
Hence
If…then
In order that/to
May be due to
Nevertheless
Not only…but
Of
Resulting from
Since
So
So that
That
Then…if
Therefore
Thus
Unless
Until
Whether
While
Without
Yet
Spatial Signals (this answers
the “where” question)
About
Above
Across
Adjacent
Alongside
Around
Away
Behind
Below
Beside
Between
Beyond
By
Close to
East
Far
Here
In
In front of
Inside
Into
Left
Middle
Near
Next to
North
On
Opposite
Out
Outside
Over
Over
Right
Side
South
There
These
This
Toward
Under
upon
West
Comparison-Contrast Signals
(we will now compare idea A
with idea B)
Actually
Also
Although
Analogous to
And
And yet
As opposed to
As well as
Best
Better
But
Compared with
Conversely
Different from
Either…or
Even
For all that
Half
However
In contrast
In spite
Instead of
In the same (like) manner
or way
Ironically
Less
Less than
Like
More than
Most
Much as
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Now
Of course
Of this
On the contrary
On the other hand
Opposite
Or
Rather
Same as
Similar to
Similarly
Still
Strangely enough
Then
Thought
Too
Unless
While
Yet
Conclusion Signals (this ends
the discussion and may have
special importance)
As a result
As I have stated
As you can see
Briefly
Consequently
Finally
From this we see
Hence
In conclusion
In fact
In short
In summary
In the end
Last of all
On the whole
Therefore
To repeat
To sum up
Ultimately
Fuzz Signals (idea is not exact,
or author is not positive and
wishes to qualify a statement)
Alleged
Almost
Could
Except
If
Looks like
Maybe
Might
Nearly
Probably
Purported
Reputed
Seems like
Should
Some
Sort of
Was reported
Dispute Signals
It isn’t true that
People are wrong who
say that
Deny that
Be that as it may
By the same token
No doubt
We often hear it said
Many people claim
Many people suppose
It used to be thought
In any case
Non-word Emphasis Signals
Exclamation point (!)
Underline
Italics
Bold type
Subheads, like The
Conclusion
indentation of
paragraph
Graphic illustrations
Numbered points (1, 2,
3)
Very short sentence.
Stop War.
“quotation marks”
Signal Phrases for Summarizing, Paraphrasing, & Quotations
Based on templates: They Say, I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff, Cathy
Birkenstein
1. Capturing Authorial Action/ For Summaries or Paraphrasing:
These target phrases alert the reader that the author is about to summarize or paraphrase another idea
established by an authority on a chosen topic.
X acknowledges that _____________
X agrees that _____________.
X argues that ___________.
X believes that ____________.
X denies/ does not deny that _____________.
X claims that ____________.
X complains that ____________.
X concedes that ____________.
X demonstrates that _____________.
X celebrates the fact that _____________.
X emphasizes that __________.
X insists that ___________.
X observes that __________.
X questions whether ______________.
X refuses to claim that ______________.
X reminds us that ______________.
X reports that _____________.
X suggests that _____________.
X urges u
2. Introducing Quotations:
These target phrases alert the reader that the author is about to quote directly from another source. The writer is
preparing the reader for the proper parenthetical citation.
X states, “_____________.”
In her book, __________, X maintains that “_____________.”
Writing in the journal XxYyZz, X complains that “_____________.”
As the prominent philosopher, X puts it, “________________.”
According to X, “_________________.”
X himself writes, “__________________.”
In X’s view, “________________.”
X agrees when she writes, “_____________.”
X disagrees when he writes, “______________.”
X complicates matters further when he writes, “______________.”
3. Explaining Quotations: Every paragraph must show clarification, interpretation, or necessary analysis of
a supplied quotation or paraphrase. This offers the research author to have the final word in a paragraph.
Basically, X is saying ______________.
In other words, X believes ______________.
In making this comment, X argues that ______________.
X’s view confirms/reaffirms/clarifies the view that ______________.
X is insisting that ______________.
X’s point is that _______________.
The essence of X’s argument is that.
4. Introducing Statistics or “Standard Views”:
The following target phrases alert the reader that the research writer is about to use numerical data or popular
opinions. (Remember, numerical data is cited, conventional ideas are not.)
Americans today tend to believe that ________________.
Conventional wisdom has it that _______________.
Common sense seems to dictate that ______________.
The standard way of thinking about topic X has it that _______________.
It is often said that _____________.
Many people assumed that ______________.
A recent study shows ______________.
Scientists recently noted that ______________.
Doctors at the XxYyZz Institute claim that ______________.
In the 2010 Census, it was shown that ______________.
5. Introducing Contrasting Arguments: Frequently research writers find conflicting reports. Inclusion of
these debates can add strength to their own works. Analysis of other opinions likewise needs target phrases.
When using multiple viewpoints, it is crucial that the reader understands the different opinions.
A number of sociologists have recently suggested that X’s work has several fundamental problems.
It has become common today to dismiss X’s contribution to the field of sociology.
In their recent work, Y and Z have offered harsh critiques of Dr. X for __________.
X argues ______________.
According to both X and Y, ________________.
Politicians _____________, X argues, should ___________________.
6. Expressing Authorial Opinions:
The individual research writer may have opinions regarding the collected information shown in the report. Since
personal voice is not allowed, the following target phrases tell the reader the commentary expressed is the
research author and not a secondary source. Likewise, these statements help conclude the paragraph and allow
the research writer to have the last word on the topic.
But ___________ are real and, arguable, the most significant factor in _________.
But X is wrong that ______________.
However, it is simply not true that ______________.
Indeed, it is highly likely that ____________.
But the view that ____________ does not fit all the facts.
X is right that ___________.
X is wrong that __________.
X is both right and wrong that ____________.
Yet a sober analysis of the matter reveals _________________.
Nevertheless, new research shows ____________.
Anyone familiar with ___________ should see that ___________.
Proponents of X are right to argue that ___________. But they exaggerate when they claim that
___________.
While it is true that ____________, it does not necessarily follow that _________.