

#Signpost language professional#
Lists are an important part of academic and professional writing, detailing such key ideas as aims, reasons, problems, solutions, advantages, conclusions and recommendations. You shouldn't introduce new material in a conclusion and can use the past perfect tense ('This essay has focused on') or present tense ('This essay shows that').List parts given in different sentences need an introductory sentence and special linking words THE VARIETY AND CHALLENGES OF LISTING You can use many terms and phrases from the introduction and main body of your essay in the conclusion too, but not all of them are appropriate. You could say: 'Cats are often seen as less affectionate than dogs'. Signposting don't always have a statement of intent (like 'It will then', or 'In addition').

These examples show a word or phrase and what it tells the reader: You could also signpost how this will be done, for example: 'This essay will attempt to determine whether cats are better pets than dogs by analysing studies of their behaviour.' Signposting in the body To quantify what your essay will do, you could say: 'This essay will address three aspects'. You could use an opening statement like this to signpost your introduction: These lists include some terms you could use for signposting in your introduction, main body and conclusion. Signposting in the introduction, body and conclusion sentence: Having discussed the reliability of the research, this report will next address its validity.short phrases: in contrast, in conclusion, an additional point is.single words: however, furthermore, initially.You can signposting using single words, short phrases, long phrases, or whole sentences. The reader is reminded that you've already covered one issue, and introduces another. The reader knows that you'll include at least two aspects of attractiveness.Īnother issue which often concerns feminists is the pay gap. There are several ways in which the new style shopping centres may be seen as attractive. The reader knows that you'll use theory to explore and explain a criminal offence. …in order to explain and understand the causes of this offence, it would be useful to apply the criminological theory. Here are three examples of signposts and what they mean: Signposting means using words to tell your reader about the content of your essay to help them understand as clearly as possible. Most of these terms can be used in any section of an essay, but some will suits particular fields more than others.

The examples below are suggestions and you don't need to reproduce them exactly each word and phrase has a precise meaning so you should check their meaning before you use them. Your tutors can feel this way if your content isn't clearly signposted. You'll wonder where you are and how you got there. Not signposting your essay is a bit like sleeping on a journey and only waking up occasionally – it can be disorientating. The principles discussed here apply to most types of assignment.

You're the driver, your readers are the passengers, and signposts are the roads you choose to take. Essays can be considered a journey from the introduction to the conclusion.
