• Follow the guidelines given for formatting of your essay. e.g. produce a typewritten, legible document and use correct paragraph spacing and appropriate font.
• Always check your spelling. Incorrect spelling may lose you marks. Use a dictionary or the spell check function on your PC and aim to have someone proofread your essay.
• Check you have gone through all the necessary processes in the preparation of your essay. (See checklist at the end of this section).
• Use linking words to connect the ideas and arguments in your sentences and paragraphs.

Here are some words you might use to:

Add information

Additionally, again, along with, also, and, another, as well as, besides, equally, for example, further, furthermore, likewise, moreover, secondly, together with.

Conclude or summarise

Accordingly, all in all, as a result, consequently, due to, finally, in conclusion, in short, in summary, therefore, to sum up.

Contrast two things or show a difference

Alternatively, as opposed to, but, conversely, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, otherwise, yet.

Emphasise a point

Again, as demonstrated, as highlighted, as shown, clearly, for this reason, in addition, indeed, in fact, specifically, to emphasise.

Show similarities

Again, comparatively, in parallel, in the same way, likewise, in the same manner, similarly.

Clarify

Defined as, differently, in other words, likewise, put another way, to clarify, to restate, viewed as.

Sequence your argument

Before, finally, firstly, immediately, initially, in parallel, later, prior to, in the same manner, secondly, subsequently, to conclude with.

It would help you to become familiar with the vocabulary of ‘analysis’ and ‘research writing’. For example;

Term	Another way of saying
Account for	Give reasons for, provide a thorough explanation.
Analyze	Find the main ideas and show how they are related and why they are important.
Comment on	Discuss, criticise or explain its meaning as completely as possible.
Compare	Look for similarities/differences and perhaps reach a conclusion about which is preferable.
Contrast	Set in opposition in order to bring out differences.
Criticise	Give your judgement about the merit of theories and opinions, or about the truth of facts; support your judgement by a discussion of evidence or of the reasoning involved.
Define	Set down the precise meaning of a word or phrase; in some cases it may be necessary or desirable to examine different possibilities for often used definitions.
Describe	Give a detailed or graphic account.
Discuss	Investigate or examine by argument; sift information and debate; give reasons for and against.
Enumerate	Name and list the main ideas one by one. Number them.
Evaluate	Make an appraisal of the worth of something.
Examine	Investigate.
Explain	Make plain; interpret and account for; give reasons.
Illustrate	Use a figure or diagram to explain or clarify, or make clear by the use of concrete examples.
Interpret	Explain in detail the meaning of; make clear and explicit, usually giving your judgement also.
Justify	Give a statement of why you think it is so. Give reasons for your statement and conclusion.
Outline	Give a general summary. It should contain a series of main ideas supported by secondary ideas. Leave out minor details and examples.
Prove	Show by argument or logic that it is true.
Relate	Show the connections between things, telling how one causes or is like another.
Review	Provide a summary of the important issues and criticise where needed. State Describe the main points in precise terms. Be formal. Use brief, clear sentences. Leave out details and examples.
State	State Describe the main points in precise terms. Be formal. Use brief, clear
Summarise	Give a brief condensed account of the main ideas. Leave out details and examples.
Trace	Follow the progress or history of the subject.