SIGNAL WORDS:Non word Emphasis Signals

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Journalistic Writing MCM310

LECTURE 23

SIGNAL WORDS

Compare the following two paragraphs for signal words.

1. Benefits of Private Vehicles

Private vehicles play a key role in our lives. They provide independent transport, freedom and many

jobs. They cause pollution, traffic jams, noise and death.

Private transport, especially the car, gives us freedom to move. We no longer need to organize our

lives around our bus or train timetables. Many people think that their cars are indispensable machines. They

cannot live without them. People who live in rural areas need private vehicles to go to towns for shopping,

socializing, taking children to schools, etc. Without a car their lives would be very difficult. They would be

forced to rely on infrequent public transport, if it existed at all. Many families who live in the country have one

or more cars. They would be cut off from the rest of the world.

For many people a car is a necessity.

2. Benefits of Private Vehicles

Private vehicles play a key role in our lives, as they provide independent transport, freedom and many

jobs; however, they cause pollution, traffic jams, noise and death.

Firstly, Private transport, especially the car, gives us freedom to move, so we no longer need to

organize our lives around our bus or train timetables. Secondly, many people think that their cars are

indispensable machines and they cannot live without them. For example, People who live in rural areas need

private vehicles to go to towns for shopping, socializing, taking children to schools, etc. Without a car their

lives would be very difficult; as a result, they would be forced to rely on infrequent public transport, if it

existed at all. That is why; many families who live in the country have one or more cars. Otherwise, they

would be cut off from the rest of the world.

From this we see, for many people a car is a necessity.

To improve your writing you need to make sure that your ideas, both in sentences and paragraphs,

stick together or have coherence and that the gap between ideas is bridges smoothly. One way to do this is by

using transitions - words or phrases or techniques that help bring two ideas together. Transitional words and

phrases represent one way of gaining coherence. Certain words help continue an idea, indicate a shift of though

or contrast, or sum up a conclusion.

Check the following list of words to find those that will pull your sentences and paragraphs together.

List of Signal Words:

Continuation Signals (Warning-there are more ideas to come.)

first of all

also

secondly

likewise

one reason

thirdly

similarly

moreover

with

a final reason

furthermore

other

and finally

what is more

too

last of all

and

another

again

in addition

Journalistic Writing MCM310

Change-of-Direction Signals (Like contrasts; Watch out-we're doubling back.)

although

but

conversely

despite

different from

even though

however

in contrast

instead of

in spite of

nevertheless

otherwise

the opposite

on the contrary

on the other hand

rather

still

yet

while

though

Sequence Signals (There is an order to these ideas.)

first, second, third

A, B, C

in the first place

for one thing

then

before

now

after

while

into (far into the night)

until

last

during

since

always

o'clock

on time

later

earlier

Time Signals (When is it happening?)

When

immediately

now

lately

already

little by little

at the same time

final

after awhile

once

during

Illustration Signals (Here's what that principle means in reality.)

for example

specifically

for instance

to illustrate

such as

much like

in the same way as

similar to

Journalistic Writing MCM310

Emphasis Signals (This is important.)

a major development

it all boils down to

a significant factor

most of all

a primary concern

most noteworthy

a key feature

more than anything else

a major event

of course

a vital force

pay particular attention to

a central issue

remember that

a distinctive quality

should be noted

above all

the most substantial issue

by the way

the main value

especially important

the basic concept

especially relevant

the crux of the matter

especially valuable

the chief outcome

important to note

the principal item

Cause, Condition, or Result Signals (Condition or modification is coming up.)

because

for

from

while

then

but

that

until

since

whether

in order that

so that

therefore

unless

yet

thus

due to

resulting from

consequently

without

Spatial Signals (This answers the "where" question.)

between

below

about

left

alongside

here

outside

around

close to

far

right

over

away

side

near

into

beside

middle

next to

beyond

north

east

opposite

over

south

there

inside

in front of

under

these

out

behind

across

this

adjacent

above

toward

west

upon

Journalistic Writing MCM310

Comparison-Contrast Signals (We will now compare idea A with idea B.)

and

also

too

best

most

either

less

less than

more than

same

better

even

then

half

much as

analogous to

but

different from

still

yet

however

although

opposite

rather

while

though

Conclusion Signals (This ends the discussion and may have special importance.)

as a result

finally

from this we see

in summary

hence

therefore

consequently

in conclusion

last of all

Fuzz Signals (Idea is not exact, or author is not positive and wishes to qualify a statement.)

almost

looks like

maybe

could

some

except

should

alleged

nearly

might

reputed

seems like

was reported

purported

sort of

probably

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"

Journalistic Writing MCM310

Practice with signal words:

Example 1:

Creative thinking usually involves five stages (classification). First (sequence), the problem is

defined. Second (sequence), creative thinkers saturate themselves with as much information as they can find.

Then (sequence) come the incubation stage. Next (sequence) problem solving moves to an unconscious

level as the mind ponders different possible, or even impossible, solutions. The incubation stage

(classification) is followed by (sequence) illumination. By illumination, we refer to (definition) a period of

sudden understanding or insight. Finally (sequence), there is the verification stage, when solutions or answers

are critically evaluated. (9 signal words)

Example 2:

If we study a child's handwriting, certain personality types (classification) are revealed. First

(sequence), if children have handwriting that is slanted only a little to the right or is straight up and down, they

have a moderate temperament and use good judgment. This type (classification) is usually affectionate and

sharing. Second (sequence), if the handwriting slants to the far right, they are usually emotional children who

react quickly. Their quick responses are often negative responses. The third (sequence) type (classification),

children who write with a backhand slant, are very logical, unemotional, and sometimes very insecure.

Therefore (stop), their world seems to revolve around themselves rather than around friends and loved ones.

(7 signal words)

Exercise on signal words.

Do as have been asked.

1. Make these two sentences into one using the conjunction "because":

a) The Harrison's were having a party.

b) Their daughter was getting engaged.

2. Join these two sentences into one using the transition "therefore":

a) The police issued a warning on the radio.

b) A dangerous man had escaped from hospital.

3. Link these two sentences using the transition "however":

a) Marie was worried about the killer.

b) Her husband was only worried about the car.

4. Link these sentences using the conjunction "so":

a) George went to find help.

b) The car broke down.

5. Link these sentences using the conjunction "since":

a) Marie could not walk in the rain.

b) Her clothes were not suitable.

6. Link these sentences using the conjunction "so that":

a) No-one could see her.

b) Marie hid under a blanket.

Journalistic Writing MCM310

7. Link these sentences using the conjunction "as a result":

a) Marie heard a strange sound on the roof.

b) She became very frightened.

8. Link these sentences using the conjunction "as":

a) The knocking continued all night.

b) Marie could not sleep.

9. Link these sentences using a conjunction:

a) Several policemen leapt out.

b) One of them rushed towards the car.

10. Link these sentences using a conjunction:

a) The policeman told Marie not to look back.

b) She could not help it

Source: Fry, Edward Bernard. `The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists' New York: The Centre for

Applied Research Foundation. 1993

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