Note to Students: If you haven’t studied Writing Skills 2-1, and 2-2, please take some time to review the different ways to combine clauses.
Addition
At times, you may want to add information to a sentence to reinforce your point (make your point stronger). Commonly used words for addition are and, too, also, and as well (as). However, here are some linking devices that are commonly used in more formal writing to add information and strengthen a point:
- In addition
- Moreover
- Furthermore
These words come at the beginning of a sentence or independent clause and must be followed by a comma.
- This community centre has many fitness classes geared toward older residents. In addition, it provides social and cultural activities for seniors to enjoy.
- What a person eats obviously affects his or her health; moreover, it can have an impact on the environment.
- The decision to go to war caused protests within the country; furthermore, the nation lost international support.
Here are other common linking devices used to express addition; however, these are less formal and are typically used in conversational English.
- Besides
- What's more
Examples
Voting can be a real pain; besides, I never know if I’m making the right choice!
Building a new swimming pool would give kids something to do; what’s more, seniors could use it, too!
Giving Examples
Good writers explain their ideas clearly, and one effective way to strengthen or clarify your point is to give a specific example. Here are some common linking devices used to introduce an example:
- Such as
- For instance
- For example
These can be used before a noun or phrase. (Take note of the slight difference in punctuation; for example and for instance should be followed by a comma, while such as should not.)
- There are many simple things individuals can do to reduce their personal impact on the environment, such as walking to work and cutting down on water consumption.
- The United Nations has several different organs; for example, the General Assembly, the security Council, and the International Court of Justice.
For example and for instance can be followed by an independent clause, but such as cannot.
- There are many simple things individuals can do to reduce their personal impact on the environment. For example, people can walk or cycle to work rather than driving.