The Pivotal Words

Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001 No words are as helpful while reading as the prepositions and conjunctions that guide your mind along the pathways of the author's ideas. A word like furthermore says, "Keep going!" However says, "Easy!" aster these words and phrases and you will almost immediately !ecome a !etter reader, for they will whisper directions in your inner ear. Additive words "hese say, "#ere's more of the same coming up. $t's just as important as what we ha%e already said." also further moreo%er and furthermore too !esides in addition Equivalent words "hey say, "$t does what $ ha%e just said, !ut it does this too." as well as at the same time similarly e&ually important likewise Amplification words "he author is saying, "$ want to !e sure that you understand my idea' so here's a specific instance." for e(ample)e.g.* specifically as for instance such as like Alternative words "hese point out, "+ometimes there is a choice' other times there isn't." either,or other than neither,nor otherwise Repetitive words "hey say, "$ said it once, !ut $'m going to say it again in case you missed it the first time." again in other words to repeat that is)i.e.* Contrast and change words "+o far $'%e gi%en you only one side of the story' now let's take a look at the other side." !ut on the contrary still con%ersely on the other hand though despite instead of yet howe%er rather than regardless ne%ertheless e%en though whereas in spite of notwithstanding Cause and effect words "All this has happened' now $'ll tell you why." accordingly since !ecause so conse&uently hence for this reason

then thus therefore

Qualifying words "hese say, "#ere is what we can e(pect. "hese are the conditions we are working under."

if pro%iding

although whene%er

unless

Concession words "hey say, "-kay! .e agree on this much." accepting the data granted that Emphasizing words "hey say, ".ake up and take notice!" a!o%e all more important indeed

of course

Order words "he author is saying, "/ou keep your mind on reading0 $'ll keep the num!ers straight." finally second then first ne(t last Time words "1et's keep the record straight on who said what and especially when." afterwards meanwhile now !efore su!se&uently presently formerly ultimately pre%iously later ummarizing words "hese say, ".e'%e said many things so far. 1et's stop here and pull them together." for these reasons in !rief in conclusion to sum up

Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001