This document discusses the importance of using connectors or linkers in writing. Connectors are words or phrases that connect ideas in a paragraph and help the reader follow the writer's train of thought, creating good coherence. There are different types of connectors - coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, prepositions, and transitional devices - that serve different grammatical functions and show different relationships between ideas like contrast, similarity, cause/effect and more. It is important to choose the right connector based on the grammatical structure and relationship between the two ideas being connected.

1. On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 2:38 PM, Glenda Thomas <glenda.pdpelt@gmail.com> wrote:
Connectors are also called linkers because they are words/phrases that connect—or
link—an idea with the next one in a paragraph. It is important to use them often and
well so that your reader can easily follow your train of thought. If your reader has no
difficulty following you, we say that your writing has good coherence.
To use connectors correctly, you must take two things into consideration:
First, what is the relationship between the two ideas you want to connect? Notice
that the connectors in the chart below have been placed in rows according to their
meaning. Some connectors are used to show contrast, some to show similarity, etc.
Before continuing, brainstorm all the linkers for cause or result that you can think of
(without looking at the chart!):
Secondly, what type of connector does the grammatical structure require? Notice
that the connectors in the chart below have been placed in columns according to
their grammatical function. As you can see, there are four types:
Coordinating Conjunctions: There are only seven of these in English—and, or,
nor, for, but, yet, so. They join two ideas—each with its own subject and verb—that
are considered equally important. The formula for using a coordinating conjunction
is:
Air quality in Malaysia is worsening, so respiratory diseases are on the rise.
Subordinating Conjunctions: These are used to join two ideas—each with its
own subject and verb—where one is considered more important than the other. The
idea that immediately follows the SC is always the less important one. The two
formulas for using a subordinating conjunction are:
Because air quality in Malaysia is worsening, respiratory diseases are on the rise.
Respiratory diseases are on the rise in Malaysia because air quality is worsening.
Before continuing, write two sentences using two subordinating conjunctions other
than because:

2. Prepositions: These are used to join two ideas where one is considered more
important than the other. In this case, one idea—the main one—has a subject and a
verb, but the less important idea is only a noun phrase. In other words, prepositions
may only be followed by noun phrases.
Like this—Due to worsening air quality in Malaysia, respiratory diseases are on the
rise.
OR Respiratory diseases are on the rise in Malaysia due to worsening air quality.
In spite of +noun phrase
Despite+ noun phrase
Transitional Devices: These are similar to CC’s in that they connect two ideas—
each with its own subject and verb—that are considered equally important. They are
different from CC’s, however, in that their placement is more flexible. There are
three formulas for using transitional devices
Air quality in Malaysia is worsening. Consequently, respiratory diseases are
on the rise.
CONNECTORS/LINKERS
Coordinatin
g
Conjunction
s
Subordinating
Conjunctions Preposition
s
Transitional Devices
To
introduce a
new idea
and along with
in addition
to
on top of
together
with
additionally
also
besides
further
furthermore
in addition
moreover
more than
that
plus
what’s more
To repeat or
emphasize
actually
indeed
in fact
in other
words
namely
that is (to
say)
to put it another way
To provide
an example
for example
for instance
in particular
specifically
such as
to illustrate
Coordinatin
g
Conjunction
s
Subordinating
Conjunctions Preposition
s
Transitional Devices

3. To show a
similarity
just as like
similar to
also/too
as well
by the same
tokencorrespondingl
y
in like manner
in the same
way likewise
similarly
To show a
contrast
but whereas
while
as opposed to
in contrast
to
instead of
unlike
conversely
however
in contrast
in reality
instead
on the other hand
on the contrary
To make a
comparison
compared
to
in comparison to
by comparison
To make a
concession
although
even
though
granted
that
though
despite
in spite of
regardless
of
admittedly
To show
that a
concessio
n has been
made
yet all the same
even so
for all that
in any case
in any event
nevertheles
s
nonetheless
notwithstanding
regardless
still
To show a
result
so so…that
such…tha
t
accordingly
as a consequence
as a result
consequently
for that reason
hence
that being
so
that’s why
therefore
thus
To show a
cause
for as
because
since
as a result
of
because
of
by reason
of
due to
in view of
on
account of
owing to
thanks to
To state a
purpose
in order that*
so that*
To show
alternatives
or (else) on the one hand… on the
other hand
otherwise