Table 1: Examples of signposts

Signpost/Discourse marker Examples

Emphasis words: these words/phrases Indeed, especially valuable, important to note,
emphasize the information that comes before most of all, most noteworthy, a significant factor,
or after them remember that, a primary concern, a major event,
the most substantial issue, the chief outcome, the
principal item, pay particular attention to, a key
feature, the main value, the chief factor, a vital
force, above all, a central issue, a distinctive
quality, especially relevant, should be noted, in
fact

Indeed: the information that follows ‘indeed’

emphasises the information that precedes it by
being stronger, more specific, or more detailed
In fact: the phrase indicates that more specific or
more emphatic information is being added to the
immediately preceding statement(s)

Expressions with a similar meaning include

‘indeed’ and ‘as a matter of fact’

Addition words: tell you that the writer’s Examples: also, another, finally, last of all, and,
thought is going to continue in the same second, for one thing, likewise, furthermore,
direction, or he or she is going to add on more moreover, next, still another, yet another,
points or details of the same kind additionally/in addition

Change of direction words: prepare you for Examples: but, however, in contrast, yet, instead,
a change in the direction of the writer’s even though, otherwise, still, on the contrary, on
thought. They tell you that the writer will the other hand, conversely, nevertheless, rather
probably reverse or modify a previous Rather: a word of many meanings; as a signal
statement. word it follows a negative sentence. A positive
restatement is then given. ‘Her name is not
Margaret. Rather, it is Margot.

However – the statement made before this word is

true. The sentence after ‘however’ shows an
opposite point of view. ‘Food should be tasty. It is
more important, however, for food to be healthful.

On the other hand: the phrase introduces the 2nd

item in a choice between 2 items. The 2nd item
contrasts with the 1st item.

In spite of/despite: The phrase containing these

prepositions can begin or end a sentence, or it can
be inserted into the body of a sentence.
 These phrases carry a meaning contrary to or
opposing the meaning of the sentence to which it
is attached

Nevertheless: follows a statement of fact that

logically implies a certain result, but the result that
follows ‘nevertheless’ is unexpected

Words and phrases with a similar meaning are

‘nonetheless, however, in spite of that, ... anyway,
and still’
Example: We read about the dangers and
discomforts of a cruise to the Antarctic.
Nevertheless, we decided to go.
Some ... others – these words contrast 2 or more
groups
E.g. some wastes are eaten by fish. Others
decompose in seawater

Still: this word introduces unexpected

information. Words and phrases with a similar
meaning are ‘nonetheless, ... anyway, however, in
spite of that, and nevertheless’

Illustration words: tell you that an example Examples: for example, specifically, for instance,
or illustration will be given to make an idea such as, to illustrate
clear

Concluding words: tell you to expect the Examples: therefore, finally, in conclusion, thus,
writer’s last point consequently, as a result, hence, in summary, last
of all, for this reason, accordingly, so
Therefore: this word modifies the entire sentence
in which it occurs
It can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of
a sentence

Consequence/result – these words often Examples: thus, hence, therefore, as a result,

show a result or consequence of what came consequently, as a consequence, since,
before it
Cause and effect: phrases that introduce an A causes B. B in turn causes C
item in a chain of causes and effects Examples: in turn; accordingly
causes, leads to, is the cause of results in, creates,
brings about, makes, provokes, produces, gives
rise to, contributes to, is due to, is the result of,
comes from, results from, is produced by, is a
consequence of, follows, is caused by.

Concession words to be sure

indeed
though, although
 granted
of course
Repeat Words in other words
it simply means
that is
briefly
in essence
as we’ve seen
Problem/Solution In this pattern, the main idea names a problem and
indicates that one or more solutions.
The paragraph always consists of two parts: 1) a
statement and 2) a description and
explanation of how it was solved. There are often
no signal words for the details.
• Key words/phrases in the main idea: situation,
trouble, crisis, dilemma or issue.
• In the body of the paragraph, key words include:
solve, solution, resolved.
Brief review of an important point : these E.g. as we have seen: as we have seen, one of the
words introduce a brief review of an major ways we pollute the seas...
important point that was mentioned earlier

Comparison/contrast: (like, unlike, instead): Signal words/phrases for similarities: similarly,

when used as signal words, ‘like’ introduces a also, in the same way, as, like, both, in
comparison, and ‘unlike’ introduces a contrast common.
• Signal words/phrases for differences: however,
but, on the other hand, although, while, in
contrast, than, conversely, yet, unlike.

‘like’ indicates that the following item will be

similar in some way to another item in the
sentence
An expression that has a meaning similar to that of
‘like’ is ‘similar to’
Unlike shows at least one significant difference
between two items. If the sentence with ‘unlike’
also contains ‘no, not, etc.’ the word ‘instead’
often appears a sentence or two later.
Instead means ‘in place of that’
Note: ‘instead’ often appears by itself without
other signal words such as ‘unlike’

Enumeration words Firstly, the second thing, again, yet another notion,
etc.
Time words before, after
formerly, soon
subsequently
prior, during
meanwhile
Steps in a process First, next, after that, finally
Summarising: for these reasons
in conclusion
in a nutshell
to sum up
in short
fi nally
OTHERS
Among others these words indicate that the item being discussed
is one of a group of similar items

Clearly The idea that follows ‘clearly’ is considered to be

very easy to understand or to solve
A word with a similar meaning is ‘obviously’
Meanwhile The signal which appears between statements
about 2 events, shows that the events are
happening or have happened at the same time
A phrase with a similar meaning is ‘in the
meantime’

In other words This signal is usually used to restate an important

point more simply, so that it will be easier to
understand
It may also be used to introduce an interpretation
or an example relevant to the previous point
Other phrases with a similar meaning include ‘that
is’ and ‘that is to say’

Of course This signal may mean ‘clearly’ or ‘obviously’

Otherwise, it may introduce a well-understood
concession that seems to contradict the main idea
A word with similar meaning is ‘naturally’

In any case This signal describes whether something being

discussed happens or is true
Other signals with a similar meaning include
‘anyway, anyhow, and in any event’

it would appear This signal implies that what follows is based on

some evidence, but is nevertheless the writer’s
interpretation
Unless it is used as part of a noun clause (it would
appear that...), commas separate this signal from
the rest of the sentence