WRITINGS FOR CAE 2015

COHERENCE: TRANSITION WORDS

Below is a list of commonly used transition expressions, divided roughly according to meaning.

Addition:
Moreover, furthermore, in addition, also, incidentally, by the way, further, too, again, more important,
next, first, second, etc., firstly, secondly, etc., in the first place, in the second place, etc., last, lastly,
finally, either, as well.

Contrast:
However, yet, in contrast, on the other hand, in any case, on the contrary, still, otherwise, actually, all
the same, at any rate, at the same time, nevertheless, notwithstanding, instead, in spite of this, anyway,
by contrast, in reality, whereas.

Comparison:
Likewise, similarly, in the same way, whereas, in like manner.

Cause, result, purpose:

Therefore, thus, hence, consequently, after all, to be sure, for this reason, accordingly, then, knowing
this, naturally, of course, with this object, with this end, to this end, because of this, with this in mind, in
many cases, by this means, in this way, as.

Example, restatement:
For example, for instance, more specifically, in particular, indeed, namely, specifically, to illustrate, in
other words, in fact, that is, in brief, in short, to summarize, in conclusion.

Time:
afterwards, later on, soon, meanwhile, in the meantime, next, immediately, then, later, at length,
eventually, at the same time, in the same instant, today, nowadays, in the beginning, to begin, in time,
in future, finally, initially, subsequently, simultaneously.

Place:
Here, there, nearby, beyond, further on, opposite, on the opposite side, on the right, on the left,
behind, in back.

Concession:
Although it is true that, granted that, I admit that, it may appear that, naturally, of course.

Summary, Repetition, or Conclusion:

as a result, as has been noted, as I have said, as we have seen, as mentioned earlier, in any event, in
conclusion, to conclude, in brief, finally, in other words, in short, in a word, on the whole, therefore, in
summary, to summarize, to sum up, in a nutshell, all in all.

Chronological:
 Presently, the next day, before, during, at length, soon, afterward, after, when, afterward, by that time,
since, while, meanwhile, at that moment, next, from then on, first, within an hour, soon, at last later,
earlier, second, then.

Spatial:
A little farther on, next to Y, in the next room, at the center of the table, at that altitude, across the way,
between those cities, about a centimeter, to the right, beyond this area, just to the left.

When what you have presented leads up to, or supports, or makes a case for what you are about to
say:
Therefore, Thus, Hence, Consequently, We can see from the previous that, Because of the previous
[sentence, paragraph, line of reasoning, three points ...] we can see that [or, it is rational to believe that,
or it is reasonable to hold that]... In light of this we can see that

When you have given your conclusion first and want to then give your evidence, support, justification
for it:
The evidence for ... is, The reason(s) for ... is (are), One can see this because, This can be seen because,
This is supported by.

When you are going to "contradict" what has been said before [or contradict what you are about to
say]:
However, But, Nevertheless, In spite of this [or, in spite of the fact that ...,] Despite [the fact that ..., ]
Unfortunately that does not.... Paradoxically, Contradicting that is, While it may seem that.... On the
other hand, The apparent implication is that ... , but; While it may be that..., ; The previous does not
imply/demonstrate/show; We cannot reasonably deduce/infer/assume from this that... ; Although x, y
.... ; While it is the case that..., still.... While it is the case that..., it is not the case that (or it is not true
that, or it is not to be inferred that, or it does not imply that....)

To link together similar things (whether ideas or reasons):

You can just number them; The following n things: [and then number them, or not number them --
whichever seems more appropriate]; Similarly, In the same vein, Along with, Accompanying that, Also,
And, Additionally, In addition, Then too, Besides, Moreover, Further, Furthermore.

To say that something is true in "both directions"

Conversely, The converse is also true, And vice versa

To say it is true in only one direction:

The converse is not true, This only goes in one direction, This is only true in this direction.

To explain something further:

For example, Examples of this are, To clarify ... To say this in another way, In line with that...

To change topics:
Moving on to a different point, considering something totally different now, let me digress for a
moment, returning from the digression, returning to the above point about, related to.
ESSAY

Useful language

 Expressing an opinion

 It is probably true to say that…

 There can be no doubt that…

 It is simply not the case that…

 Commonly held views

 It is widely believed that…

 No one would dispute the fact that…

 Few people would contest / dispute (the fact) that…

 It is generally agreed that…

 Saying what other people think

 There are those who argue that…

 It has been suggested that…

 It is often claimed that…

 Opponents / Supporters / Proponents of (….) argue that…

 Referring to sources

 All the evidence suggests that…

 A recent survey proved that…

 Judging by the comments made by…

 Interviews with (…) have revealed that…

Layout of Essays

Introduction
Paragraph 1

- Hooks the reader and captures his or her attention

- Contains the topic sentence of the essay

- Briefly states three or more main ideas which will be explained in body of paper.

Main body

Paragraphs 2-3-4 (5)*

- Longest section of the essay
- Contains three or more fully developed paragraphs (one paragraph to support each main idea stated in
the introduction)
- Each paragraph contains a topic sentence and at least four to five supporting detail sentences.
- Transition words and phrases help move reader from one idea to the next (example: also, in addition,
another reason, etc.)

Conclusions
Final Paragraph
- Brings closure to the essay
- Briefly restates the three main ideas (without repeating the exact words in the introduction)
- May end with strong statement or an appeal to the emotions

* The exact number and division of paragraphs will depend on the specific instructions for each
essay task