Word list
Connective phrases for building an argument
Signposts that show logic, not just sequence.
“Also” and “then” just mark order. A good connective tells the reader how the new idea relates to the last one — building on it, complicating it, or explaining it.
Adding & building
furthermoremoreoverbuilding on thisin a similar veinjust as significantly
Contrasting & complicating
howeverconverselyyetwhere [X] does this, [Y] instead…this is complicated by
Cause & effect
as a resultconsequentlythis is compounded bywhich in turnprecisely because
Signposting a shift
yet this is not the whole picturea more troubling reading emerges whenthis reading is complicated onceby contrast
Concluding & synthesising
ultimatelytaken togetherthis culminates init becomes clear that
The test
Read the sentence before and after your connective. If swapping in “also” would lose no meaning, the connective isn’t doing any logical work — pick one that names the actual relationship between the two ideas.
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