B Background or lead in sentence/s
A Argument/hypothesis/thesis statement
M Main points - overview the main points
Follow the PEEL structure in the body of an essay to write clear and cohesive paragraphs.
P Point - make your main point in the first sentence. This is the topic sentence.
E Expand - explain what you mean in more detail
E Evidence & examples - support your argument with facts, evidence and examples
L Link – link your point back to the thesis statement or main argument
Source: M.E. Rigby (2012). Go Grammar Consulting, Brisbane.
Key Terms and their Meanings
account for |
give reason for
|
approximate |
give a close answer |
comment on |
present your opinion
|
compare |
recognise similarities & differences
|
contrast |
highlight difference |
demostrate |
show
|
derive |
present a logical sequence of steps to arrive at a result |
describe |
represent, picture or portray; say what something is |
determine |
arrive at an answer, showing required steps or strategies |
discuss |
investigate or examine by argument |
draw (sketch) |
depict an object as in clearly define diagram or flowchart |
estimate |
give a close approximation |
evaluate |
establish the value, quality, importance, merit, relevance or appropriateness of |
explain |
make clear, make known in detail
|
expound |
present a clear & convincing argument for a detailed opinion |
express |
to show or state |
fine |
arrive at an answer by your own strategy
|
|
generalise |
make abstract on the basis of evidence, a general statement |
identify |
establish or select |
indicate |
Clearly name or state the relevant points |
justify |
provide sound reasons or evidence on which your response is based |
list |
to place one after the other |
outline (in words) |
provide a structure for, give main points or features |
present |
put forward for consideration
|
prove |
validate a result with coherence & completeness |
quote |
repeat words from stimulus material
|
rank |
sequence or list in order |
show (calculations) |
indicate all the steps |
state |
clearly present or say |
suggest |
propose
|
summarise |
present essential ideas & information in fewer words |
transcribe |
write your own accurate copy
|
verbatim |
use exactly the same words, copy |
verify |
validate a particular result
|
|
Source: Queensland Studies Authority
Linking Words
Use linking words to give your writing cohesion. Linking words link clauses to make sentences. Linking words create cohesion between paragraphs and sentences.
COMPARING & CONTRASTING
|
alike also alternatively both compared with contrasts with conversely |
despite differs from equally even though however in the same way in spite of this |
instead likewise neither nevertheless on the contrary on the other hand rather |
similar to similarly subsequently the dissimilarity the features they have in common unlike whereas |
ADDING AN IDEA OR MORE INFORMATION
|
a number of additionally also and another |
as well as besides both firstly furthermore |
in addition in conjunction with lastly moreover to illustrate |
SUBSTITUTES FOR THE WORD 'is'
|
allows becomes contributes to creates culminates in engenders exemplifies |
expresses indicates influences leads to manifests mirrors produces |
provokes reflects represents reveals shapes shows symbolises |
OTHER WAYS TO SAY "this can be seen by"
|
this is/can be illustrated by it is seen through this can be demonstrated by/through this is shown when this is exemplified by/when
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this illustrates that this shows that this can be observed through it clearly points out it can therefore be perceived that
|
it is most notable when it is most marked when this is seen clearly through this is evident when this is apparent/most obvious when
|
SUSTITUES FOR "says that"
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admits that argues that asserts that claims that concludes that condemns the view that
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contends that explains that expresses the view that is critical of maintains that observes that
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points out that refutes the evidence/view reinforces the view that rejects the point that stresses the point that submits that
|
CAUSE AND EFFECT
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points out that refutes the evidence/view reinforces the view that rejects the point that stresses the point that submits that
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consequently creates despite this due to eventually fostered gives rise to hence in this way
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indicates influences is due to it is obvious that leads to primarily produced by shaped by shows evidence of
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stemmed from the conclusion to be drawn therefore this effectively demonstrates this explains this indicates to this end undoubtedly which include
|
TO SUMMARISE OR CONCLUDE
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accordingly as a result as shown consequently finally
|
for this/that reason having examined the evidence hence in conclusion in other words
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in summary in view of that on the whole ultimately we come to realise
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