Signpost words and phrases

Highlighting or emphasising a point

Importantly, … Indeed, … In fact, … More importantly, … Furthermore, … Moreover, … It is also important to highlight …

Changing direction or creating a comparison

However, … Rather, … In contrast, … Conversely, … On one hand, … On the other hand, … In comparison, … Compared to … Another point to consider is …

Adding a similar point

Similarly, … Likewise, … Again, … Also, …

Summarising

Finally, … Lastly, … In conclusion, … To summarise, … In summary, … Overall, … The three main points are …

Being more specific

In particular, … In relation to … More specifically, … With respect to … In terms of …

Giving an example

For instance, … For example, … this can be illustrated by … …, namely, … …, such as …

Acknowledging something and moving to a different point

Although … Even though … Despite … Notwithstanding …

Following a line of reasoning

Therefore, … Subsequently, … Hence … Consequently, … Accordingly, … As a result, … As a consequence, … To this end, …

Between paragraphs

“Flow” can also be applied to the connections between paragraphs.

As discussed in the page on body paragraphs, each paragraph should discuss only one major point. However, each body paragraph must also be different from the other paragraphs. Its major point should be unique.

The unique point of each paragraph should be identified before you begin writing: this is the most important part of the planning stage. You might be discussing several aspects of the answer, or analysing it from different perspectives. You might be following it chronologically, or presenting one side and then the other.

If a paragraph flows well from point to point, it should be obvious to the reader when you move from one point to another. The signpost words described above can also be used between paragraphs, to indicate the transitions from one sub-topic to another.

For example, if you are analysing one study and then comparing it to another in a later paragraph, a transition would use a word or phrase from the “changing direction or creating a comparison” list:

In contrast to the conclusion drawn by Smith (2004), Nguyen (2006) showed that the connection between the factors was not causal in most circumstances.

A paragraph that illustrates a point with a case study or example would use the “giving and example” list to create a transition:

The interpretation in Nguyen (2006) was supported in practice, as illustrated by the fieldwork of Corelli (2008).

Transitions show the reader the “movement” between paragraphs: they show that they follow a logical order and build on each other. They can also show the reader how the paragraphs reconnect with the overall topic of the essay as described in the thesis statement.

If you cannot identify the movement from one paragraph to another, you may need to return to the plan to see if they are actually unique. If your paragraphs jump over important points, repeat themselves, or leave gaps in the explanation, this will also undermine the flow of the essay.