Nonfiction Signal Words

Transitions, or signal words, are words that show the connection between ideas. There are different types of signal words. For instance, comparison signal words tell us that the author is pointing out how two things are similar. Comparison words include: like, likewise, just, equally, in like manner, in the same way, alike, similarity, similarly, just as, as in a similar fashion. For instance, if an author writes, "Edwin and Keon are equally excited about school," Then the author is telling us how Edwin and Keon are feeling the same way.

Which of the following words tells us that an author is comparing two things? (More than one is correct)

• likewise

• for example

• once

• similarly

• just as

Which of the following words does not tell me the author is going to compare, or point out a similarity between, two subjects.

• however

• alike

• as in a similar fashion

• equally

• just

Contrast words signal a change in the direction of the writer's thoughts. These signal words tell you that the author is pointing out a difference between two things. The following are contrast words: but, however, in contrast, yet, differ, difference, variation, still, on the contrary, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand.

Which statement below is a contrast?

• Kendall plays basketball in the same way as Lavar.

• Christine likes strawberry ice cream; on the contrary, Gabriel likes fudge ripple ice cream.

• The next step is to pour the liquid from the cylinder to the beaker

• Antonio curses because it annoys Mrs.B

Which of the following are signal words that show comparison or contrast? (Choose all correct answers.)

• because

• still

• on the contrary

• likewise

• next

Which of the following is a signal word that shows comparison?

• on the contrary

• variation

• however

• in the same way

Which of the following is a signal word for compare and contrast?

• if....then...

• after

• compared with

• first...second

Which of the following is a signal word for comparison?

• to illustrate

• similar to

• first, second...

• because of

Which of the following is a signal word for compare and contrast?

• on the other hand

• as a result of

• most important

• next

Cause and effect signal words do exactly that. They show what has caused something and/or what the effect of that. A cause-effect relationship is a relationship in which one event (the cause) makes another event happen (the effect). One cause can have several effects.

Examples of cause and effect signal words and phrases are: so, then, if...then, because, since, therefore, as a result, consequently, for this reason, may be due to, as a consequence, on account of, give rise to, hence, etc.

Choose all the correct uses of cause and effect signal words.

• When water is heated, the molecules move quickly, therefore the water boils.

• The streets were snow-packed and icy.

• Because the alarm was not set, we were late for work.

• John made a rude comment, so Elise hit him.

Which of the following is a signal word for cause and effect?

• for this reason

• as opposed to

• such as

• problem