Further reading on connectors

In the final part of our lesson on maintaining flow in writing, we will discuss the third strategy: utilizing connectors. While the first two strategies involve direct repetition and “this + [summary word],” connectors serve as a powerful alternative. These linking words or phrases can establish not only connections but also relationships between consecutive sentences, making your writing more coherent and engaging for the reader.

Connectors serve two primary purposes in writing: maintaining flow by connecting ideas and establishing clear relationships. Unlike direct repetition and “this + [summary word]” strategies, which only create connections, connectors can also highlight relationships between ideas. Based on their various functions, connectors can be classified into several types, such as adding new information, showing differences, suggesting cause and effect relationships, clarifying, contrasting, illustrating (e.g., providing examples), and intensifying (emphasizing).

Some common examples of connectors include “furthermore,” “in addition,” and “moreover” for addition; “although,” “even though,” “nevertheless,” and “however” for showing differences; “because,” “due to,” “as a result,” “therefore,” and “consequently” for cause and effect relationships; “that is” and “in other words” for clarifying; “while,” “on the other hand,” “on the one hand,” and “however” for contrasting; “for example” and “for instance” for illustrating; and “as a matter of fact” for intensifying.

In conclusion, using connectors effectively can elevate the quality and readability of your writing. These versatile tools can not only connect ideas but also showcase the relationships between them, providing a more comprehensive understanding for your readers. By incorporating connectors into your writing and understanding their various functions, you can maintain flow and create a more engaging and well-structured piece. As we have emphasized throughout this course, learning from good writers and consistently reading journal articles will help you develop and refine your own writing skills.