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Table 1: Academic English Connectors and Their Meaning (Adapted from Swales and Feak
1994)
Subordinators
Sentence Connectors
Phrase Linkers
Addition
Furthermore, ...
In addition to..., ...
In addition, ...
Moreover, ...
Adversative
..., although
However, ...
Despite ..., ...
Although ..., ...
Nevertheless, ...
In spite of ..., ...
Even though ____, ...
Despite the fact that..
Cause and Effect ...because...
Therefore, ...
Because of...
Since..., ...
As a result, ...
Due to...
..., since ...
Consequently, ...
As a result of...
..., hence...
Thus, ...
Clarification
In other words, ...
That is, ...
i.e., ...
Contrast
While ..., ...
In contrast, ...
Unlike ... , ...
..., whereas ...
However, ...
On the other hand, ...
Conversely, ...
Illustration
For example, ...
For instance, ...
Intensification
On the contrary, ...
As a matter of fact, ...
In fact, ...
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Uses of Connectors
Different points of view can be taken and different arguments can be built from any given piece of
information, depending on which part is emphasized or de-emphasized. This is a matter of deciding on
one's stance and then using the appropriate logical connectors that help express this position. This can be
demonstrated by showing them the example below.
Information: John is very old and ugly, John is filthy rich. No point of view? John is very old, ugly, and
filthy rich.
They must clearly distinguish between their own opinions, ideas, and words, and those of others
(citations, quotations).
As citing somebody else's work and using their concepts is the main characteristic of the literature
review, reported speech is used very often.
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Below is a list of common verbs and expressions students can use to cite the authors' work.
Verbs:
State
Comment
Maintain
Report
Remark
Assert
Propose
Claim
Observe
Contend
Suggest
Point out
Declare
Argue
Define
Imply
Emphasize
Explain
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Phrases:
As stated by . ,
o
Reference:
Criollo, R. (2003) 'Teaching TESOL Undergraduates to Organize and Write Literature
Reviews', The Internet TESL Journal, vol. IX, April.