Linking-Ideas

Linking ideas
It's important that the transitions between ideas in any document are smooth and that they follow a
logic that serves the purpose of the message. In other words your document needs to flow logically
and cohesively. The flow of a document is created and maintained by writing smooth and effective
transitions between ideas.
Common mistakes
A common mistake in student writing is the overuse of transitional phrases or connectors.
It seems that some writers feel that by adding transitions like ‘in addition’, ‘moreover’, and
‘besides’ at the beginning of almost every sentence, they are creating good transitions between
their sentences. But they are not. In fact, it becomes distracting and too mechanical when every
sentence begins this way.
Example:
Writing a business report n be challenging. However, there are techniques that can
make the process a little easier. For example, understanding your business situation
can help the writer determine the prose and audience. Therefore, conducting an
audience analysis is an important step in the writing process. In addition, you need to
match the audience to the purpose. However, you should also consider the cultural
context. Consequently, different cultures may have different approaches to writing.
Therefore, having cross-cultural awareness hen analysing your business is important.
In this example, there are too many connecting words. The paragraph doesn't flow and comes
across as being too mechanical. The consequence of this is that the paragraph becomes difficult to
read and the main idea or message may get lost.
So how do we create paragraph flow? Well, there are numerous ways that you can do this
and it doesn't always include the use of connectors.
Repeating key words

Sometimes, you may repeat an identical word or a variant form of the same word or a synonymous
term.
Example:
Such plants to operate successfully had to run at capacity. To run at capacity they
needed outlets for their whole output.
Use demonstrative pronouns

The demonstrative pronouns this, that, these, and those can be used to emphasise the relationship
between adjacent sentences.
Example:
The size of a premium or discount for a currency depends on demand and supply in
the forward market for it. This is influenced by interest rates, economic and political
developments or expectations.
Link sentences is through syntactic patterning
This just means repeating the same basic pattern in successive or near successive sentences.
However, you need to be careful when using this strategy. It works only when the underlying
thought
Example:
Customers want quality craftsmanship. They want furniture made from the highest
quality wood. They want their furniture to last.
When to use linking words

When using a link word, there should be specific purposes or reasons for doing so. Below are
ways for creating successful sentence transitions and example phrases.
Internal preview
An internal preview is a brief statement referring to a point you're going to make.

It can forecast or foreshadow a main point in your document. Example phrases are:
If we look ahead to
Now we an focus our attention on
Next we’ll examine
First we’ll look at
Then we’ll examine
Signposts
Signpost alerts the audience, you are moving from one topic to the next. Signposts or signal words
draw attention to themselves and focus the readers’ attention on an idea.
Example phrases are:
We can now address

Turning from / to
Another
This reminds me of
Internal summary
An internal summary briefly covers information or alludes to information introduced previously.

It can remind an audience of a previous point and reinforce information covered in your document.

As I have said
As we have seen
As mentioned earlier
In conclusion
Sequence transition
A sequence transition outlines a hierarchical order or series of steps in your document.

It could illustrate order or steps in a logical process.
First … second .. third

Furthermore
Next
Last
Still
Time transition
A time transition focuses on the chronological aspects of your order, particularly useful in an article
utilizing a story.This transition can illustrate the progression of time for the reader.
Before
Earlier
Immediately
In the meantime
In the past
Addition or additive transition
An addition or additive transition contributes to a previous point. This transition can build on a
previous point and extend the discussion.
Additionally
Not to mention
In addition to
Furthermore
Either
Transition by similarity
A transition by similarity draws a parallel between two ideas, concepts,

or examples. It can indicate a common area between points for the reader.
In the same way

By the same token
Equally
Similarly
Just as we have seen
Transition by comparison
A transition by comparison draws a distinction between two ideas, concepts, or examples.

It can indicate a common or divergent area between points for the reader.
Like
In relation to
Bigger than
The fastest
Larger than
Transition by contrast
A transition by contrast draws a distinction of difference, opposition, or irregularity between two

ideas, concepts, or examples. This transition can indicate the key distinction
between points for the reader.
But
However
On the other hand
Although
Despite
Transition by cause and effect
A transition by cause and effect, or result, illustrates a relationship between two ideas, concepts, or
examples, and may focus on the outcome or result. It can illustrate a relationship between points
for the reader.
As a result
For this purpose
Consequently
Because
Accordingly
Transition by example
A transition by example, illustrates the connection between a point and an example or examples.
In fact
As we can see
After all
Even
For example
Place transition
A place transition refers to a location, often in a spatially organised essay of one point or emphasis
to another.
Opposite to
There
To the left
To the right
Above
Clarification transition
A clarification transition restates or further develops a main idea or point. It could also serve as a
signal to a key point.
To clarify
To put it another way
I meanIn other words
That is
Concession transition
A concession transition indicates knowledge of contrary information. It can address a perception

the reader may hold and allow for clarification.
We can see that while

Although it is true that
Grated that
While it may appear that
Naturally
By making good use of transitions, you create paragraph flow, strengthening the coherence and
logic of your writing.

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Linking ideas

Repeating key words

Use demonstrative pronouns

Link sentences is through syntactic patterning

When to use linking words

An internal preview is a brief statement referring to a point you're going to make.

Example phrases are:

We can now address

An internal summary briefly covers information or alludes to information introduced previously.

Example phrases are:

A sequence transition outlines a hierarchical order or series of steps in your document.

Example phrases are:

First … second .. third

Example phrases are:

Addition or additive transition

Example phrases are:

A transition by similarity draws a parallel between two ideas, concepts,

Example phrases are:

In the same way

A transition by comparison draws a distinction between two ideas, concepts, or examples.

Example phrases are:

A transition by contrast draws a distinction of difference, opposition, or irregularity between two

Example phrases are:

Transition by cause and effect

Example phrases are:

Example phrases are:

Example phrases are:

Example phrases are:

A concession transition indicates knowledge of contrary information. It can address a perception

Example phrases are:

We can see that while

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