SIGNAL WORDS

What is signal words?

Signal

words" give hints about what is about to happen in what you're reading. Understanding them is a key to comprehension. Signal words help us understanding the writers thought. They are like signposts on the road that guide the traveler. We can understand the direction from the signal words. There are different kinds of signal words.

Emphasis Words

Emphasis words are the most valuable signals for one to know. Through Emphasis words, the writer tells us directly about the significance of a particular idea. The author uses these words as the red flags so that we can concentrate.

Emphasis Words

Important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, the most substantial issue, a key feature, the main value, the chief factor, a vital force, above all, most noteworthy, a major event, especially, a distinctive factor, should be noted

Comparison-Contrast Signals
Comparison words signal that the author is pointing out a similarity between two objects. Contrast words, on the other hand, tell us that the author is pointing out a difference between two subjects/statements.

Comparison Signals

and like analogous to same still Also Best

Most Similarly Alike Equally likewise In a similar fashion Much as too

Contrast Signals

or either less less than more than however although opposite rather while yet

On the other hand better even though but different from In contrast Conversely Otherwise Still On the contrary

Cause and Effect Words

Cause and effect words tell us if the writer is going to tell us the reasons behind an action or the result of one action.

Cause and Effect Words

because if of for so while then but that until

since as whether in order that so that therefore unless yet thus due to resulting from

Illustration Words

Illustration words tell us that an example or illustration will be given to make an idea clear. Such words are typically used in the textbooks.

Illustration words
For example To illustrate Specifically Once For instance Such as

Addition Words

Addition words tell us if the writers thoughts would follow the same direction. The writer might add some extra points or statements of the same kind.

Addition Words

Also Another Finally In addition Furthermore First of all Last of all

Moreover Likewise Next And Apart from that besides

Conclusion Signals

Conclusion signals are generally used to refer to conclusion, to draw a summary of a large idea. They signal to the readers that that a passage is coming to an end.

Conclusion Signals

as a result consequently finally from this we see in conclusion in summary hence last of all therefore

Fuzz Signals

Fuzz means unclear, obscure. Fuzz signals refer to action that is not clear, not complete, not very easy to understand. They refer to things or actions that are not very sure to occur.

Fuzz Signals

almost if looks like maybe could some except should

alleged nearly might reputed seems like was reported purported sort of probably

Spatial Signals

Spatial signals are used to express place. They answer to the where question.

Spatial Signals

between below about left alongside here outside around close to middle

far right over away side near near in into beside

Spatial Signals

next to beyond north east on opposite over south there inside in front of

under these out behind across this adjacent above toward west by upon

Time Signals

Time signals refer to time, chronological sequences. They answer to the question when.

Time Signals

when immediately now lately already little by little at the same time final after awhile once during