A conjunction is the glue that holds
words, phrases and clauses (both dependent and
independent) together. There are three different
kinds of conjunctions --
coordinating, subordinating, and correlative --
each serving its own, distinct purpose, but all
working to bring words together.
Example:
Peter and Paul are best friends.
(the word “and” is a conjunction. It is joining two
entities, which are Peter, Paul).
I am going to the market and to the
grocery store.
(the word “and” in this sentence is joining two
ideas, which are going to the market and to the
grocery store).
My mother asked me if I am going to
wash my clothes or wash the dishes.
(It is stating that the girl has two choices, to wash
her clothes or wash the dishes)
Conjunctions serve as a cue within a
sentence, signaling the reader that another idea
is coming.
Coordinating conjunctions link ideas by
showing how they relate. For example, a word
like "and" indicates two ideas go together.
Subordinating conjunction indicates that
one idea depends on another. For instance, in
this
sentence the word "unless" depends on the
action that follows it:
Example: We will be late unless we leave now.
Correlative conjunctions join elements
within a sentence, indicating the two are of equal
importance. The words "neither" and "nor" work
this way in this sentence:
Example: I like neither carrots nor celery.
Following is a selection of words used to link
ideas depending on the direction of your
argument:
 Adding more to a point already made
(Moreover, furthermore, again, further,
what is more, in addition, besides, above
all, as well (as), Either, neither... nor, not
only...)
 Writing in lists (First (ly), second(ly), yet
another, in addition, finally, to begin with,
in the second place, moreover,
additionally, also, next, then, lastly, finally)
 Putting the same idea in a different way
(In other words, rather, or, better, in that
case, to put it (more) simply, in view of
this, with this in mind, to look at this
another way)
 Introducing examples (that is to say, in
other words, for example, for instance,
namely, as follows, as in the following
examples, such as, particularly, in
particular, notably)
 Introducing an alternative viewpoint (by
contrast, another way of viewing this,
alternatively, again, rather, on the other
hand, in comparison, on the contrary, in
fact, though, although)
 Returning to emphasize your earlier
viewpoint (However, despite x, in spite of
x, though, after all, at the same time, on
the other hand, although x may have a
good point)
 Summing up the idea stated (In brief, on
the whole, to sum up, thus, in conclusion,
as a whole)