English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

TIPS FOR A GOOD COMPOSITION

1) Make a plan/ correct structure of your essay/ write down your ideas
before you start.
2) Prefer to write your composition on a piece of paper and after
corrections to write it in your notebook.
3) Make your paragraphs obvious and at the same length. A sentence is not a
paragraph.
4) Be as clear as possible. Give examples on what you are saying, expand and
explain your notes or ideas. Be descriptive. The longer compositions you
write, the easier would be to remember many points of them during the
exams day.
5) Use short sentences, put full-stops.
6) Try to use an advanced level Vocabulary and Phrases, rather than the
simple ones. Special Grammatical Structures.
7) Use a dictionary to check the spelling of the words you have used.
8) Don’t translate your ideas from Greek to English. Think in English .
9) Introduction + Conclusion = IMPORTANT
10)Regular Grammar mistakes:
a) I play- He/She/It plays
b) Like/ love + -ing
c) Describe an event in past= Use Past Tenses
d) Describe sth that will happen= Use Future Tenses
e) Modals + infinitive
11) Read your composition twice or three times, when you finish and correct
it as you are a second reader.
12)Finally, use Linking words:

* To show similarity: similarly, likewise, in a similar manner, like, in the

same way, analogously

* To compare or show contrast: however, nevertheless, rather, whereas,

but, yet, on the other hand, on the contrary, by comparison, compared to, up
against, balanced against, vis a vis, although, conversely, but, meanwhile, in
contrast, after all, otherwise, alternatively.

* To express an alternative: or, either . . . or, whether . . . or

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

* To express concession: granted, naturally, of course, one may object

that . . .

* To introduce a new point: furthermore, moreover, in addition

* To place what you have just said in a particular context: in this

connection, in this perspective

* To add something: and, again, and then, besides, equally important,

finally, further, furthermore, next, what is more, moreover, as well as, in
addition, first (second, etc.), not only . . . but

* To prove your point: because, for, since, for the same reason,
obviously, evidently, indeed, in fact, in any case, that is, demonstrably.

* To show cause and effect: as a result, consequently, hence, due to, in

view of, on account of, accordingly, for this reason, therefore.

* To give an example or an illustration: for example, for instance, in this

case, in another case, take the case of, to illustrate, as an illustration, to
take another example, namely, that is, as shown by, as illustrated by, as
expressed by.

* To repeat, insist and/or refer back to an earlier point: as I have said,

in brief, as I have noted, as suggested above, as has been noted

* To emphasize: definitely, extremely, indeed, absolutely, positively,

obviously, naturally, always, never, surprisingly, emphatically, without a
doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation, forever.

* To conclude a paragraph or an essay: thus, lastly, in brief, in short, on

the whole, to sum up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have
said

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

Linking Words

Linking words

Like other languages, English has a lot of cohesive or transitional devices and linking

words that can be used to express and join ideas.

1. Expressing addition

To add information, you can use these expressions:

Examples:

In addition, - as well as - moreover - what is more - not only...but also... - furthermore -

besides - also - too - and...

 If the project fails this will have terrible consequences not only on our
department, but also on the whole organization
 John's grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days. In
addition to this, his relationship to his parents got worse.
 The report is badly written. Moreover, it's inaccurate.

2. Expressing contrast

To express contrast, you can use these expressions:

Examples:

Although - even though - in spite of / despite - however - yet - nevertheless - nonetheless -

on the contrary - whereas - on the one hand ...but on the other hand... - conversely -
but...

 Brain drain has terrible consequences on the developing

countries. Nevertheless, nothing has been done to solve the problem or at
least reduce its negative effects.
 In spite of / despite Fred's old age, he goes jogging every morning.
 Although she's very nice, her classmates hate her.

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

 They have got two children, a boy and girl. The boy looks after his
father whereas the girl looks after the mother.

3. Expressing cause and effect

To express cause and effect, you can use these expressions:

Examples:

Consequently - as a consequence - as a result - therefore - because of this - for this reason

- because - since - as - for - due to - owing to

 She remained silent, for she was so depressed to talk.

 We can't go to Sue's party because we'll be busy working on our project.
 The plane was delayed because of the foggy weather.
 He had spent most of his time hanging around instead of revising his
lessons. Consequently, he had a lot of trouble answering the exam
questions.

5. Expressing purpose

To express purpose use the following words:

Examples:

In order to - in order not to - as to - so as not to - to - not to

 She wakes up early in order to be on time to work.

 They visited him so as to offer their condolences for the death of his wife
 He helped the new policewoman so as not to fail in her first mission.

4. Summarizing

To summarize, you can use the following expressions:

Examples:

In conclusion - to conclude - to sum up - in a nutshell - in brief - in short - all in all -

everything considered...

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

Cohesion: linking words and phrases

You can use words or short phrases which help to guide your reader through your writing, and
to link sentences, paragraphs and sections both forwards and backwards. Good use will make
what you have written easy to follow; bad use might mean your style is disjointed, probably
with too many short sentences, and consequently difficult to follow. Your mark could be
affected either way.

The best way to "get a feel" for these words is through your reading. Most textbooks and
articles are well-written and will probably include a lot of these cohesive devices. Note how
they are used and try to emulate what you have read. Do make sure though that you fully
understand their meaning: incorrect use could change completely what you're trying to say. Try
to use a variety of expressions, particularly in longer pieces of writing.

Don't forget "AND"! Two short sentences are often best connected together with this little
word.

There follows a list of words and phrases that can be used. The list is not exhaustive, and BE
CAREFUL: although grouped together, none is totally synonymous. Their position in the
sentence can also vary; this is where your reading and dictionary come in.

Listing Giving examples Generalising

first, second, third for example in general
first, furthermore, finally for instance generally
to begin, to conclude as follows: on the whole
next that is as a rule
Reinforcement in this case for the most part
also namely in most cases
furthermore in other words usually
moreover Result/consequence Highlighting
what is more so in particular
in addition therefore particularly
besides as a result/consequence especially
above all accordingly mainly
as well (as) consequently Reformulation
in the same way because of this/that in other words
not only ... but also thus rather
Similarity hence to put it more simply
equally for this/that reason Expressing an alternative
likewise so that alternatively
similarly in that case rather
correspondingly under these circumstances on the other hand
in the same way Deduction the alternative is
Transition to new point then another possibility would be
now, in other words Contrast

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

as far as x is concerned in that case instead

with regard/reference to otherwise conversely
as for ... this implies that ... on the contrary
it follows that if so/not in contrast
turning to Stating the obvious in comparison
Summary obviously Concession (sth unexpected)
in conclusion clearly however
to conclude naturally even though
in brief of course however much
to summarise as can be expected nevertheless
overall surely still
therefore after all yet

Here are just a few examples of some of the words in action:

REINFORCEMENT

Desktop computers are cheaper and more reliable than laptops; furthermore, they are more
flexible.

RESULT/CONSEQUENCE

Prices fell by more than 20% last year. As a result, sales increased by 15%.

GENERALISING

On the whole, his speech was well received, despite some complaints from new members.

CONTRAST

The South East of the UK often has the coldest weather in the winter. Conversely, the
North West of Scotland frequently has the mildest temperatures.

CONCESSION

It was a very expensive holiday, the weather was bad and the people weren’t very
friendly. Nevertheless, we would probably go back to the same place.

Transition word exercise

Always ask yourself what the exact relationship is between the sentences or parts of sentences.
Are you leading to the result of something? Are you making a deduction? Are you introducing
some contradictory evidence or ideas? Your choice of word or phrase obviously depends on this.
And always check in a good dictionary if you're not quite sure about a word's use or its position
in a sentence. Remember that punctuation will affect what you use.

Insert the best alternative

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

1 Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this century. ______________ ,
there are even members of his own party who are uneasy with his approach.

In particular However For instance

2 There are some slight variations in temperature, but ________________ 26 to 27ºC should be
expected.

consequently otherwise as a rule

3 The two main Channel Islands, ________________ Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to
France than to England.

for example namely in particular

4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. ______________ ,
even fewer trainee nurses     are expected to join the profession.

As a result So that Likewise

5 Sales of CDs have experienced a small but steady fall over the past 12 months.
_____________ , vinyl records have    seen an increase in their share of the market, up to 1.7%.

Above all Correspondingly In contrast

6 The Vice Chancellor explained that in light of the current financial climate and because of
unexpected bad debts, it would be necessary to peg salary levels at their current level for all
grades of staff. ______________, no-one was getting a pay rise.

Nevertheless In other words Similarly

7 It is clear, therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly. ______________
the economic problems being experienced in Japan, the outlook is slightly more optimistic.

Furthermore In comparison With reference to

8 In order to try to reduce car use in the inner cities, the government has announced new
restrictions on company parking spaces and ______________ , a new tax on individual car use.

as well as in addition in the same way

9 Essays must be handed in by the deadline, ______________ they will not be marked.

obviously otherwise as a result

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

10 ______________ it has been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures,
the use of the material should not be completely discounted.

Nevertheless Because Even though

Answers

Transition word exercise

Answers

1 Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this century. However, there
are even members of his own party who are uneasy with his approach.

However indicates that what follows is something of a contradiction or an exception.

2 There are some slight variations in temperature, but as a rule 26 to 27ºC should be expected.

As a rule shows you are about to make a generalisation.

3 The two main Channel Islands, namely Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France than
to England.

You are actually naming the two islands mentioned, so namely is used.

4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. As a result , even
fewer trainee nurses are expected to join the profession.

The second sentence is a result or consequence of the first. So that must be followed by a

verb.

5 Sales of CDs have experienced a small but steady fall over the past 12 months. In contrast ,
vinyl records have seen an increase in their share of the market, up to 1.7%.

The second sentence contrasts vinyl with CDs.

6 The Vice Chancellor explained that in light of the current financial climate and because of
unexpected bad debts, it would be necessary to peg salary levels at their current level for all
grades of staff. In other words, no-one was getting a pay rise.

The second sentence says the same as the first, but in a much simpler way (reformulation).

7 It is clear, therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly. With reference
to the economic problems being experienced in Japan, the outlook is slightly more optimistic.

The second sentence deals with a new aspect/point.

8 In order to try to reduce car use in the inner cities, the government has announced new
restrictions on company parking spaces and in addition, a new tax on individual car use.

Reinforcement of the idea; an extra point. As well as must be immediately followed by a noun
or verb.

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English Instructor: Ioannou Orthodoxia

9 Essays must be handed in by the deadline, otherwise they will not be marked.

The second part is a consequence of the first.

10 Even though it has been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures,
the use of the material should not be completely discounted.