Making links between paragraphs in academic writing.
A linking sentence coherently connects two other sentences together in an essay. It is placed between the two sentences in order to provide them with more context, allowing the paragraph to proceed in a logical fashion. A linking sentence found at the end of a paragraph or the beginning of a new paragraph is known as a transitional sentence.When writing your sentences, try to link up one sentence with another. In the same way, when writing your paragraphs, try to link up one paragraph with another. This can take two forms: ending a paragraph with a sentence that leads forward to the next paragraph or starting the new paragraph in a way that links back to the previous paragraph.Below is a handy list of words that are both useful and appropriate to academic language: Other linking words to give an example or an illustration: In this case, In another case. Take the case of. To illustrate. As an. Illustration. To take another example. Namely. That is. As shown by.
It is a good idea to occasionally use linking words and phrases at the start of a new paragraph. They can help to link what you have said in the previous paragraph to what you are about to say in your new paragraph. These link words and phrases are often referred to as signposts.To avoid this, using linking or transition words that signpost your arguments can help to clarify your views and show the reader what to expect from certain paragraphs or sentences. These words give structure to the whole, helping you to organise your ideas and assist the reader in understanding them.
Paragraphs: The main part of the essay - structure and linking This section should be read in parallel with that which looks at the production of introductions and conclusions (next module). Here the emphasis is on the writing which occurs between the two, the main body of the essay.
