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LISTEN FOR SIGNAL WORDS
Your instructor is not going to hold up a flag when he or she states an important new idea or gives an example, but he or she will use signal words to give you the message that what's being said is important. Every good speaker does this, and you should expect to hear these signals. For example, he or she may introduce an example with "for example" as done here!
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MAIN IDEA SIGNAL WORDS
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SIGNAL:
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SIGNIFICANCE:
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| There are three reasons why.... |
Gives the number of main ideas. |
| First... |
Gives the first main idea. |
| Second... |
Gives the second main idea. |
| Third.... |
Gives the third main idea. |
| And most importantly.... |
Signals a main idea. |
| A major development.... |
Signals a main idea. |
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SUPPORT IDEAS SIGNAL WORDS
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SIGNAL:
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SIGNIFICANCE:
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| On the other hand.... |
Shows a contrasting idea. |
| On the contrary.... |
Shows a contrasting idea. |
| In contrast.... |
Shows a contrasting idea. |
| For example.... |
Gives an example. |
| As an example.... |
Gives an example. |
| For instance.... |
Gives an example. |
| Similarly.... |
Continues an idea. |
| Also.... |
Continues an idea. |
| Further.... |
Continues an idea. |
| Furthermore.... |
Continues an idea. |
| Likewise... |
Continues an idea. |
| In addition to... |
Continues an idea. |
| Furthermore... |
Continues an idea. |
| In order to... |
Gives a reason. |
| Because... |
Gives a reason. |
| So... |
Gives a result. |
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CONCLUSION or SUMMARY SIGNAL WORDS:
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Therefore....
In conclusion....
As a result....
Finally....
In summary....
From this we see....
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OTHER IMPORTANT SIGNAL WORDS:
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Now, this is important....
Remember that....
The important idea is that....
The basic concept here is....
The crucial point is...
This is critical...
This is vital...
This is significant...
This is essential...
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Signals are usually ignored by those of us who do not know how to listen effectively.
Expect to hear these signals and start writing when you hear them!
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