Signal Link Words

How do you pick the right signal phrase for your writing?

• Always use the same one

• Choose based on what fits the context and connects your ideas to the source

• Skip using signal phrases altogether

• Randomly select one for each paragraph

These signal words belong to which text structure? [However, on the other hand, compared to, similarly, like, unlike, differences]

• Compare & Contrast

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Description

These signal words belong to which text structure? [first, next, then, after, dates, numbers]

• Compare & Contrast

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Description

These signal words belong to which text structure? [Because, due to, as a result, consequently, if/then, a reason]

• Compare & Contrast

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Description

These signal words belong to which text structure? [One possibility, a solution, the issue, the problem, a conflict, an answer]

• Compare & Contrast

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Description

What are signal words?

• Words that tell us the type of text structure the text is written in

• Red, yellow, and green like a traffic signal

Which signal word is used to compare?

• similar

• different

• opposite

• but

Which signal word is used to contrast?

• same

• similar

• different

• both

Which of the following signal words indicates a contrast between two ideas?

• A) Similarly

• B) However

• C) Additionally

• D) Consequently

Identify the signal word that suggests a cause-and-effect relationship.

• A) Furthermore

• B) Because

• C) Likewise

• D) Meanwhile