How to Put Emphasis on a Word in Your Essay: Tips and Tricks

Putting emphasis on a word in an essay can be a powerful tool to convey your point more effectively. Whether you want to stress the importance of a term, express emotion, or draw attention to a particular detail, emphasizing a word can make a significant impact on your reader. It’s pretty straightforward once you know the techniques, and you’ll have readers hanging onto your every word in no time!

Step by Step Tutorial – How to Put Emphasis on a Word in an Essay

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that emphasizing a word or phrase can change the tone and meaning of your sentence, so use these techniques judiciously.

Step 1: Use Bold or Italics

The first and most common way to put emphasis on a word is to make it bold or italic.

When you make a word bold, it stands out visually, which naturally draws the reader’s eye to it. Italics, on the other hand, tend to suggest a softer kind of emphasis. They’re perfect for when you want to highlight a term without it being too overbearing.

Step 2: Include Underlining

Underlining is another method to emphasize a word, though it’s less common nowadays.

Underlining was the go-to emphasis before bold and italics became easily accessible with word processors. However, be cautious when using underlines, as they can sometimes make text look cluttered and are often associated with hyperlinks.

Step 3: Capitalization

Capitalizing a word or phrase is a surefire way to show emphasis.

CAPITAL LETTERS are hard to miss, aren’t they? They can give the impression of shouting, so use them sparingly and only when you really need to make a strong point or grab attention quickly.

Step 4: Use "Quotation Marks"

Sometimes, you might want to put a word in quotation marks to emphasize it.

Quotation marks can indicate irony, skepticism, or that the term is being used in a peculiar or unusual way. They can also suggest that the word or phrase is being spoken with a different tone or inflection than the rest of the text.

Step 5: Strategic Word Placement

The placement of a word within a sentence can also serve as emphasis.

Placing a word at the beginning or end of a sentence can give it more weight. The first and last words are typically the most memorable to a reader, so think carefully about your sentence structure if you want to highlight a particular word.

After completing these actions, your essay will have clearly emphasized words that stand out to your readers, guiding them to understand which terms or phrases you find most important or wish to highlight.

Tips – Making the Most of Emphasis in an Essay

  • Avoid overemphasizing; too many emphasized words can be distracting and reduce the impact.
  • Consider the tone of your essay when choosing an emphasis technique; for a formal essay, bold or italics may be more appropriate than capitalization.
  • Use emphasis to improve clarity, not to compensate for weak writing; make sure your words are strong even without emphasis.
  • Be consistent with your emphasis; if you italicize a term once, do the same every time it appears.
  • Remember that emphasis can change the meaning of your sentence, so choose wisely!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can emphasizing a word change the meaning of my sentence.

Absolutely, emphasizing a word can alter the interpretation of your sentence. It can add layers of meaning, suggest irony, or simply make a point more forcefully. Always consider the implications of emphasizing a word before doing so.

Is it okay to use multiple emphasis techniques on one word?

It’s generally not recommended to use more than one emphasis technique on a single word. It can make the text look cluttered and overdone. Choose the most suitable technique for the message you want to convey.

How often should I emphasize words in my writing?

Use emphasis sparingly. If you emphasize too many words, it can overwhelm the reader and dilute the impact of each emphasized term. Be selective and emphasize only the most crucial words or phrases.

How do I know which emphasis technique to use?

Consider your audience and the formality of your essay. For academic writing, bold and italics are usually appropriate. Capitalization can be seen as informal, and underlining is often associated with hyperlinks, so use these techniques judiciously.

Can emphasizing a word affect the flow of my essay?

Yes, emphasizing a word can affect the flow of your essay by altering the rhythm and pace of your writing. Emphasized words can cause the reader to pause or place more importance on that word, so consider the overall flow when deciding to emphasize.

  • Use bold or italics for a visual emphasis
  • Underline sparingly for a less common emphasis
  • Capitalize for strong emphasis or to grab attention
  • Place words in quotation marks to suggest a different tone
  • Consider word placement in a sentence for subtle emphasis

Emphasizing words in an essay can be a game-changer in how your readers interpret your writing. It’s not just about making a word stand out; it’s about crafting your message to convey the exact sentiment you intend. Whether you choose bold, italics, underlining, capitalization, quotation marks, or strategic placement, each method has its own flavor of emphasis that can add depth and clarity to your essay. Remember that with great power comes great responsibility; overuse of emphasis can be just as detrimental as not using any at all. Striking that perfect balance will make your writing stand out in the minds of your readers. If you’re itching to bring attention to those critical points in your essay, now you’ve got the tools to do so effectively. Go ahead, give emphasis a whirl, and watch your words come to life!

Matt Jacobs Support Your Tech

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related Posts

  • How to Hide Formatting Marks in Word 2010: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Include a Word Count in Your Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Bold a Word in iMessage: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Underline a Word in a Text Message: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Get Rid of Paragraph Marks in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Show All Formatting Marks in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Bold Text in iPhone Emails: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Remove Crop Marks in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Make an Essay Look Longer on Word: A Guide
  • How to Hide Formatting Marks in Word 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Underline Blank Space in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Know if a Word is Stressed or Unstressed: A Guide
  • How to Bold Text on iPhone 6: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Stop Word from Underlining Misspelled Words: 2024 Guide
  • How to Reduce Word Count: Tips for Concise Writing
  • How to Underline Text in Photoshop CS5: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Reduce Word Count: A Guide for Concise Writing
  • How to Exclude Words from Word Count: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Double Underline in Word: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Use Small Caps in Word 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide

Get Our Free Newsletter

How-to guides and tech deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Synonyms of emphasize

  • as in to highlight
  • as in to reinforce
  • More from M-W
  • To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Thesaurus Definition of emphasize

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • bear down on
  • make much of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • tone (down)
  • de - emphasize
  • underemphasize

Examples of emphasize in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emphasize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near emphasize

Cite this entry.

“Emphasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emphasize. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on emphasize

Nglish: Translation of emphasize for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of emphasize for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries.  Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 9 superb owl words, games & quizzes.

Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

  • Grammar Checker
  • Paraphrasing Tool
  • Critique Report
  • Writing Reports
  • Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
  • Grammar Guide

Emphasize Synonyms & Antonyms: List of 30+

By The ProWritingAid Team

30+ synonyms for emphasize

Are you looking to drive home a point?

Do you need to stress how important something is?

Will your writing highlight certain ideas and statements?

Then you're probably looking to emphasize something.

In this article, we'll explore how you can emphasize ideas in your writing, and give you 30+ emphasize synonym & antonym options. Let's get started.

What Are Some Synonyms for Emphasize?

The a–z list of emphasize synonyms, how do i emphasize points in my writing, what are some antonyms of emphasize.

We've already seen some alternatives for emphasize in the examples above. We'll look at their specific definitions, and then list some more alternatives.

5 alternatives to emphasize

What Does it Mean to Drive Something Home?

This doesn't mean putting something in your car and driving it to your house.

Instead, the phrase "drive home" uses the verb to drive in the sense of moving something forward by force. Home here means the final place something will land or arrive—its intended position.

When you drive a point home, you are putting effort into making people understand something clearly by describing it in detail, using lots of examples, or repeating it many times.

"Drive home" is usually used when talking about emphasizing ideas.

Can also mean: Instill; Establish

How Do You Stress the Importance of Something?

This one is similar to drive home, and is also mostly used when referring to ideas.

You've probably heard of stress as a feeling. When you feel stressed, all of your thoughts turn to the thing you are stressed about.

Similarly, when you stress something, you make sure people understand how important it is

Can also mean: Repeat; Underline; Play up; Dwell on

What Does Accentuate Mean?

Accentuate is a visual word, but it can also be used for ideas.

To accentuate something is to indicate its importance by centering attention on it. You place an accent on the thing you want to focus attention on.

While you might use "stress" to describe emphasizing something urgent or worrying, "accentuate" can be more neutral or positive.

You wouldn't "wear a corsage to stress the color of your date's dress," but you could "wear a corsage to accentuate the color of your date's dress."

In this scenario, accentuate can also mean "complement"—to positively emphasize a desirable feature of something.

accentuate definition

Normally, something accentuates something else. For example:

She used the data in the table to accentuate her point about decomposition rates.

In this example, to accentuate means to add an extra layer of meaning to something.

Can also mean: Highlight; Complement; Accent

Is Prioritize the Same as Emphasize?

When used to mean "put something first", prioritize is a synonym of emphasize.

The graphic designer prioritized the title on the page.

This means the designer made the title larger, gave it more space—or otherwise emphasized it.

Can also mean: Give precedence to

Why Would You Reiterate Something?

To reiterate means to repeat a point you've made before, maybe in a different way to make sure people have understood it.

I must reiterate that it is of the utmost importance that you don't open the box.

Can also mean: Repeat; Restate; Recapitulate

The examples above describe just some of the ways you might want to emphasize something. The most important thing to remember when looking for a different word to use is to make sure the word you choose matches your meaning.

expanded list of other words for emphasize

The words on this list can all be used to mean "to emphasize something", but they can also be used in other ways. Check the specific definition before using a word in your writing.

  • Add weight to
  • Impress (as in, to make an impression on)
  • Labor the point
  • Make a point of
  • Recapitulate
  • Stress/Lay stress on

Looking for a way to only find relevant synonyms? Try ProWritingAid's Thesaurus Report .

The report will highlight every verb, adjective, adverb, and noun in your text and offer contextually relevant alternatives for them.

That means our AI "reads" your writing to work out what you're trying to say, and then only shows synonyms related to your meaning.

emphasize alternatives in prowritingaid

Try it out with a free ProWritingAid account.

If you want to emphasize (or drive home) a point in an essay or other piece of writing, you'll need to create a strong argument.

In an essay, you need to show how each point you make backs up that argument. One way to do this is by using transition words to link the points in your essay and show how they build on one another.

examples of transition words

Words like "consequently", "therefore", and "as a result" emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship between two points.

Using words like "furthermore", "secondly", and "since" emphasize how two points are linked together.

And if you just want to signpost that a point is particularly important, you can start your paragraph with emphasis transition words like "notably", "chiefly", and "in particular". These words tell your reader to pay special attention to these points in relation to your argument.

But what if you want to do the opposite of emphasizing something? An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning to another word.

These words all mean to de-emphasize something:

How to Use Synonyms of Emphasize

Synonyms can help you avoid repetition and provide more specific descriptions.

But remember: words are different for a reason. All of the synonyms listed above have slightly different meanings and purposes. Before you use a word, make sure to check its exact meaning to make sure it matches what you're trying to say.

Take your writing to the next level:

20 Editing Tips From Professional Writers

20 Editing Tips From Professional Writers

Whether you are writing a novel, essay, article, or email, good writing is an essential part of communicating your ideas., this guide contains the 20 most important writing tips and techniques from a wide range of professional writers..

essay word emphasize

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

The ProWritingAid Team

The most successful people in the world have coaches. Whatever your level of writing, ProWritingAid will help you achieve new heights. Exceptional writing depends on much more than just correct grammar. You need an editing tool that also highlights style issues and compares your writing to the best writers in your genre. ProWritingAid helps you find the best way to express your ideas.

Get started with ProWritingAid

Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :

Bat Bing

  • Admissions Essays
  • Books and Manuscripts
  • Business Proofreading and Editing
  • Dissertations
  • Editing Tools
  • Personal Statements
  • Professional Writing
  • Proofreading and Editing
  • Thesis Proposals
  • Uncategorized
  • Working From Home
  • Writing Fiction
  • Writing Guides

How to Show Emphasis in Writing

essay word emphasize

Get 400 words proofread and edited for free

I often remind my six- and nine-year-old children that communication is not just what you say, but how you say it (frequently after one of them asks the other, “Will you please stop?” in a bloody-murder scream). The same is true in writing, both academic and nonacademic, with many subtle ways we can add to our meaning by emphasizing words, expressions, and phrases. In this post, I will write about some of the most common ones and offer suggestions for how to use them most effectively.

Text Styles

For emphasis, writers can vary the look of their text in a number of ways with bold, italics, underlining, and all-caps. Although some writers seem to like using all-caps, their use SHOULD BE AVOIDED ALTOGETHER. See? That’s just screaming, and screaming is unprofessional.

Get a free sample proofread and edit for your document. Two professional proofreaders will proofread and edit your document.

emphasis1

Please note that bold, italics, underlining, and all-caps may be used in titles and headings because that use is for formatting, not emphasis. (Note the bold headings in this blog post that simply indicate separate sections.)

Always check your style guide to make sure you are following the proper format because each guide has specific formatting rules.

The Exclamation Point

Rule number one about the exclamation point is to use only one at a time. Adding two, three, or more of these little guys has a “screamy,” unprofessional effect like all-caps does. (I think you know what I mean!!!)

Rule number two is to avoid exclamation points entirely in academic writing and use them very sparingly in nonacademic writing. People often try to use exclamation points to show they are excited about their content, but after a couple uses the effect is lost and the punctuation just clutters up the writing.

Maybe it’s just me [Editor here: No, it’s not just you.], but I feel like they make an author sound like a child, which is certainly not the desired effect in your college essays or professional correspondence .

Quotation Marks

Quotation marks can indicate different types of emphasis. An author may want to be sarcastic or flip, as in: That’s so “interesting.” These are called “scare quotes” and are the print version of putting up your fingers and making “air quotes.” This can be useful, but only in nonacademic writing, where papers are never supposed to be sarcastic.

Close to this usage, though without the sarcasm, an author may put quotation marks around a word or expression with a figurative meaning to make sure the reader doesn’t take the words literally.

Again, these types of emphasis should be used as little as possible so they keep their effect. Also, make sure you are using quotation marks for only one of these types of emphasis, or your writing can get a bit “confusing.”

The Em Dash and Colon

The em dash (a dash the length of three hyphens) can be used to draw attention to a word, phrase, or entire clause—to great effect. See, it works! (Wait, was that exclamation point necessary?) An em dash can be used in the middle of a sentence—like this— or at the end as in the previous example. A colon can be used similarly, but only at the end of the sentence. Both em dashes and colons are useful in formal and informal writing, but, again, a little goes a long way.

The dash in particular gets overused. Some authors just stick one in when unsure whether to use a semi-colon, colon, or comma. This fools no one. Here at ProofreadingPal , we get to correct these all the time. A dash is for emphasis, not generic punctuation.

Depending on the purpose of your writing, using these strategies to provide emphasis can be highly effective and fun—if I do say so myself! Just remember to use the strategies in moderation, especially if you are writing for an academic or otherwise formal purpose. Too much of a good thing can lose the desired effect and even have negative effects you hadn’t considered.

ProofreadingPal.com Proofreading Services Commercial

Get a Free Sample

We will get your free sample back in three to six hours!

We proofread documents 24/7 Support 888-833-8385

essay word emphasize

Customer Service

Get in touch.

ProofreadingPal LLC 105 Iowa Ave., Ste. 214 Iowa City, IA 52240

Call Us 888-833-8385

Live Customer Support Hours Sun.-Thurs. 8 a.m. to midnight CT and Fri.–Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT

Submit Documents 24/7

essay word emphasize

© 2010 - 2020 ProofreadingPal LLC - All Rights Reserved.

The Vocative Comma Is Important, People!  ·  September 25, 2022

8 Tips to Make Your Writing Sound More Formal  ·  August 29, 2022

Worlde Tips and Tricks  ·  March 10, 2022

Worlde Tips and Tricks  ·  February 25, 2022

Top 4 Misspelled Words  ·  November 5, 2021

How to Capitalize Medicine  ·  October 1, 2021

How to Capitalize Medicine  ·  August 18, 2021

4 Fixes for Comment Boxes in MS Word  ·  January 17, 2021

How to Avoid Wordiness  ·  July 15, 2020

Write an Effective Blog Post  ·  June 9, 2020

Proofreading Services Rates  ·  April 19, 2020

How to Make Your Writing More Inclusive  ·  March 5, 2020

How to Make Your Writing More Inclusive  ·  February 27, 2020

Guide to Olde English  ·  December 27, 2019

Guide to Olde English  ·  December 26, 2019

Common Apostrophe Errors  ·  December 19, 2019

Guide to Olde English  ·  December 18, 2019

Capitalization in APA, Chicago, MLA, and AP  ·  August 27, 2019

Avoiding Common Capitalization Errors  ·  July 31, 2019

How to Emphasize a Word in an Essay

One of the most important aspects of quality essay, article, novel or any other type of paper is catching and retaining reader’s attention. In order to make sure your essays or articles are read from top to bottom, I’m going to show you different ways you can achieve emphasis in text.

essay word emphasize

After all, you don’t want your professor, client, or visitor of your blog or website to think the text is boring and stop reading it, right? Catching someone’s attention not only requires interesting and informative content. You have to know how to properly emphasize certain parts of the text. What I like the most about emphasizing text is that you can do so in numerous ways. This allows you to implement different essay strategies while typing.

Text devices

Back in time, people couldn’t rely on various features in MS Word to achieve visual emphasis in text. In order to accomplish this, they used underlining in the typescript. Then, typesetter in the print shop would use italic font for the underlined words. Even today, one of the most common and easiest ways of emphasizing text is to Italianize or underline the phrase or a single word. With variety of options we have to make certain words of phrases visually stand out, it’s important to use them properly. Here are some examples .

  • Italics – subtle stressing of the words, gives light emphasis
  • Underline – used for emphasis of complete phrase, more insistent than italics
  • Bold – used to make strong impact and create tension
  • Size – bigger fonts stand out, while small fonts recede. But, you should be careful not to mix font sizes too much or text would look unappealing. Ideally, use bigger fonts for subheadings and chapter titles, while standard font size should be used for text
  • Punctuation! – for example, exclamation mark adds extra emphasis to the entire sentence, but you should use them sparingly. When used excessively, exclamation marks don’t achieve desired effect
  • Bullet points – drawing attention to important information to demonstrate key facts and it’s more appealing at the same time
  • Color – brighter colors stand out more and they are used for achieving bigger impact while darker color are more subtle.

Arrangement and choice of words

Besides various text devices, you can let your readers know that what follows in text is very important by using specific words to express the emphasis e.g. particularly, crucially, additionally, above all, most importantly etc.

You can also create a powerful emphasis by repeating certain words or phrases e.g. keywords. This also improve a cohesive effect . Naturally, you should keep this effect moderate and strive not to repeat certain phrases too much. Otherwise, accentuating some parts of the text wouldn’t cause desired impact on reader.

Example: There are couples who dislike one another furiously for several hours at a time; there are couples who dislike one another permanently; and there are couples who never dislike one another; but these last are people who are incapable of disliking anybody. (George Bernard Shaw)

Another way of emphasizing text is to depart from the basic structural patterns of the language. For example, inversion of subject-verb-object pattern into object-subject-verb phrase is a great idea.

Example: He was mowing the lawn to chase away the boredom…

The lawn he was mowing to chase away the boredom…

Ideally, words or phrases you’d like to accentuate should be placed near beginnings or endings of sentences. Moreover, you should never put words you want to emphasize in subordinate clauses!

Example: You can’t deny the fact that technology has made a powerful impact onto business world today.

Undeniably, the impact of technology onto business world today has been powerful.

Dr. Joshua

Finished papers

Customer reviews

Mandy

Other ways to achieve emphasis

  • Use a question after series of statements
  • Place subordinate clause in front of main clause
  • Include short sentences (using variety sentences makes text seem choppy, but including them from time to time keeps readers’ attention and emphasizes particular part of text)
  • Use contrasting words or phrases.

When adding emphasis to text you’re writing you should avoid some common traps that come with desire to make something stand out. Always bear in mind that moderation is the key and make sure you don’t overdo it. Furthermore, consistency is the key particularly when using visual tools to emphasize the text. I made sure the article contains easy tips and tricks that you can easily implement into your future tasks or school projects. With these simple hacks, you’ll keep readers’ attention and make your work visually appealing at the same time. Isn’t that what we all want anyway?

Related posts:

  • Ways to Improve Readability of Your Essay
  • All You Need for an Exceptionally Good Compare and Contrast Essay
  • How to Use Sentence Starters for Essays
  • How to Write a Hook for your Essay or Paper [Examples Included]

Improve your writing with our guides

Writing a Great Research Summary and where to Get Help on it

Writing a Great Research Summary and where to Get Help on it

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

How To Write A Process Essay: Essay Outline, Tips, Topics and Essay Help

How To Write A Process Essay: Essay Outline, Tips, Topics and Essay Help

Get 15% off your first order with edusson.

Connect with a professional writer within minutes by placing your first order. No matter the subject, difficulty, academic level or document type, our writers have the skills to complete it.

100% privacy. No spam ever.

essay word emphasize

Words To Use In Essays: Amplifying Your Academic Writing

Use this comprehensive list of words to use in essays to elevate your writing. Make an impression and score higher grades with this guide!

' src=

Words play a fundamental role in the domain of essay writing, as they have the power to shape ideas, influence readers, and convey messages with precision and impact. Choosing the right words to use in essays is not merely a matter of filling pages, but rather a deliberate process aimed at enhancing the quality of the writing and effectively communicating complex ideas. In this article, we will explore the importance of selecting appropriate words for essays and provide valuable insights into the types of words that can elevate the essay to new heights.

Words To Use In Essays

Using a wide range of words can make your essay stronger and more impressive. With the incorporation of carefully chosen words that communicate complex ideas with precision and eloquence, the writer can elevate the quality of their essay and captivate readers.

This list serves as an introduction to a range of impactful words that can be integrated into writing, enabling the writer to express thoughts with depth and clarity.

Significantly

Furthermore

Nonetheless

Nevertheless

Consequently

Accordingly

Subsequently

In contrast

Alternatively

Implications

Substantially

Transition Words And Phrases

Transition words and phrases are essential linguistic tools that connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs within a text. They work like bridges, facilitating the transitions between different parts of an essay or any other written work. These transitional elements conduct the flow and coherence of the writing, making it easier for readers to follow the author’s train of thought.

Here are some examples of common transition words and phrases:

Furthermore: Additionally; moreover.

However: Nevertheless; on the other hand.

In contrast: On the contrary; conversely.

Therefore: Consequently; as a result.

Similarly: Likewise; in the same way.

Moreover: Furthermore; besides.

In addition: Additionally; also.

Nonetheless: Nevertheless; regardless.

Nevertheless: However; even so.

On the other hand: Conversely; in contrast.

These are just a few examples of the many transition words and phrases available. They help create coherence, improve the organization of ideas, and guide readers through the logical progression of the text. When used effectively, transition words and phrases can significantly guide clarity for writing.

Strong Verbs For Academic Writing

Strong verbs are an essential component of academic writing as they add precision, clarity, and impact to sentences. They convey actions, intentions, and outcomes in a more powerful and concise manner. Here are some examples of strong verbs commonly used in academic writing:

Analyze: Examine in detail to understand the components or structure.

Critique: Assess or evaluate the strengths and weaknesses.

Demonstrate: Show the evidence to support a claim or argument.

Illuminate: Clarify or make something clearer.

Explicate: Explain in detail a thorough interpretation.

Synthesize: Combine or integrate information to create a new understanding.

Propose: Put forward or suggest a theory, idea, or solution.

Refute: Disprove or argue against a claim or viewpoint.

Validate: Confirm or prove the accuracy or validity of something.

Advocate: Support or argue in favor of a particular position or viewpoint.

Adjectives And Adverbs For Academic Essays

Useful adjectives and adverbs are valuable tools in academic writing as they enhance the description, precision, and depth of arguments and analysis. They provide specific details, emphasize key points, and add nuance to writing. Here are some examples of useful adjectives and adverbs commonly used in academic essays:

Comprehensive: Covering all aspects or elements; thorough.

Crucial: Extremely important or essential.

Prominent: Well-known or widely recognized; notable.

Substantial: Considerable in size, extent, or importance.

Valid: Well-founded or logically sound; acceptable or authoritative.

Effectively: In a manner that produces the desired result or outcome.

Significantly: To a considerable extent or degree; notably.

Consequently: As a result or effect of something.

Precisely: Exactly or accurately; with great attention to detail.

Critically: In a careful and analytical manner; with careful evaluation or assessment.

Words To Use In The Essay Introduction

The words used in the essay introduction play a crucial role in capturing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the rest of the essay. They should be engaging, informative, and persuasive. Here are some examples of words that can be effectively used in the essay introduction:

Intriguing: A word that sparks curiosity and captures the reader’s interest from the beginning.

Compelling: Conveys the idea that the topic is interesting and worth exploring further.

Provocative: Creates a sense of controversy or thought-provoking ideas.

Insightful: Suggests that the essay will produce valuable and thought-provoking insights.

Startling: Indicates that the essay will present surprising or unexpected information or perspectives.

Relevant: Emphasizes the significance of the topic and its connection to broader issues or current events.

Timely: Indicates that the essay addresses a subject of current relevance or importance.

Thoughtful: Implies that the essay will offer well-considered and carefully developed arguments.

Persuasive: Suggests that the essay will present compelling arguments to convince the reader.

Captivating: Indicates that the essay will hold the reader’s attention and be engaging throughout.

Words To Use In The Body Of The Essay

The words used in the body of the essay are essential for effectively conveying ideas, providing evidence, and developing arguments. They should be clear, precise, and demonstrate a strong command of the subject matter. Here are some examples of words that can be used in the body of the essay:

Evidence: When presenting supporting information or data, words such as “data,” “research,” “studies,” “findings,” “examples,” or “statistics” can be used to strengthen arguments.

Analysis: To discuss and interpret the evidence, words like “analyze,” “examine,” “explore,” “interpret,” or “assess” can be employed to demonstrate a critical evaluation of the topic.

Comparison: When drawing comparisons or making contrasts, words like “similarly,” “likewise,” “in contrast,” “on the other hand,” or “conversely” can be used to highlight similarities or differences.

Cause and effect: To explain the relationship between causes and consequences, words such as “because,” “due to,” “leads to,” “results in,” or “causes” can be utilized.

Sequence: When discussing a series of events or steps, words like “first,” “next,” “then,” “finally,” “subsequently,” or “consequently” can be used to indicate the order or progression.

Emphasis: To emphasize a particular point or idea, words such as “notably,” “significantly,” “crucially,” “importantly,” or “remarkably” can be employed.

Clarification: When providing further clarification or elaboration, words like “specifically,” “in other words,” “for instance,” “to illustrate,” or “to clarify” can be used.

Integration: To show the relationship between different ideas or concepts, words such as “moreover,” “furthermore,” “additionally,” “likewise,” or “similarly” can be utilized.

Conclusion: When summarizing or drawing conclusions, words like “in conclusion,” “to summarize,” “overall,” “in summary,” or “to conclude” can be employed to wrap up ideas.

Remember to use these words appropriately and contextually, ensuring they strengthen the coherence and flow of arguments. They should serve as effective transitions and connectors between ideas, enhancing the overall clarity and persuasiveness of the essay.

Words To Use In Essay Conclusion

The words used in the essay conclusion are crucial for effectively summarizing the main points, reinforcing arguments, and leaving a lasting impression on the reader. They should bring a sense of closure to the essay while highlighting the significance of ideas. Here are some examples of words that can be used in the essay conclusion:

Summary: To summarize the main points, these words can be used “in summary,” “to sum up,” “in conclusion,” “to recap,” or “overall.”

Reinforcement: To reinforce arguments and emphasize their importance, words such as “crucial,” “essential,” “significant,” “noteworthy,” or “compelling” can be employed.

Implication: To discuss the broader implications of ideas or findings, words like “consequently,” “therefore,” “thus,” “hence,” or “as a result” can be utilized.

Call to action: If applicable, words that encourage further action or reflection can be used, such as “we must,” “it is essential to,” “let us consider,” or “we should.”

Future perspective: To discuss future possibilities or developments related to the topic, words like “potential,” “future research,” “emerging trends,” or “further investigation” can be employed.

Reflection: To reflect on the significance or impact of arguments, words such as “profound,” “notable,” “thought-provoking,” “transformative,” or “perspective-shifting” can be used.

Final thought: To leave a lasting impression, words or phrases that summarize the main idea or evoke a sense of thoughtfulness can be used, such as “food for thought,” “in light of this,” “to ponder,” or “to consider.”

How To Improve Essay Writing Vocabulary

Improving essay writing vocabulary is essential for effectively expressing ideas, demonstrating a strong command of the language, and engaging readers. Here are some strategies to enhance the essay writing vocabulary:

  • Read extensively: Reading a wide range of materials, such as books, articles, and essays, can give various writing styles, topics, and vocabulary. Pay attention to new words and their usage, and try incorporating them into the writing.
  • Use a dictionary and thesaurus:  Look up unfamiliar words in a dictionary to understand their meanings and usage. Additionally, utilize a thesaurus to find synonyms and antonyms to expand word choices and avoid repetition.
  • Create a word bank: To create a word bank, read extensively, write down unfamiliar or interesting words, and explore their meanings and usage. Organize them by categories or themes for easy reference, and practice incorporating them into writing to expand the vocabulary.
  • Contextualize vocabulary: Simply memorizing new words won’t be sufficient; it’s crucial to understand their proper usage and context. Pay attention to how words are used in different contexts, sentence structures, and rhetorical devices. 

How To Add Additional Information To Support A Point

When writing an essay and wanting to add additional information to support a point, you can use various transitional words and phrases. Here are some examples:

Furthermore: Add more information or evidence to support the previous point.

Additionally: Indicates an additional supporting idea or evidence.

Moreover: Emphasizes the importance or significance of the added information.

In addition: Signals the inclusion of another supporting detail.

Furthermore, it is important to note: Introduces an additional aspect or consideration related to the topic.

Not only that, but also: Highlights an additional point that strengthens the argument.

Equally important: Emphasizes the equal significance of the added information.

Another key point: Introduces another important supporting idea.

It is worth noting: Draws attention to a noteworthy detail that supports the point being made.

Additionally, it is essential to consider: Indicates the need to consider another aspect or perspective.

Using these transitional words and phrases will help you seamlessly integrate additional information into your essay, enhancing the clarity and persuasiveness of your arguments.

Words And Phrases That Demonstrate Contrast

When crafting an essay, it is crucial to effectively showcase contrast, enabling the presentation of opposing ideas or the highlighting of differences between concepts. The adept use of suitable words and phrases allows for the clear communication of contrast, bolstering the strength of arguments. Consider the following examples of commonly employed words and phrases to illustrate the contrast in essays:

However: e.g., “The experiment yielded promising results; however, further analysis is needed to draw conclusive findings.”

On the other hand: e.g., “Some argue for stricter gun control laws, while others, on the other hand, advocate for individual rights to bear arms.”

Conversely: e.g., “While the study suggests a positive correlation between exercise and weight loss, conversely, other research indicates that diet plays a more significant role.”

Nevertheless: e.g., “The data shows a decline in crime rates; nevertheless, public safety remains a concern for many citizens.”

In contrast: e.g., “The economic policies of Country A focus on free-market principles. In contrast, Country B implements more interventionist measures.”

Despite: e.g., “Despite the initial setbacks, the team persevered and ultimately achieved success.”

Although: e.g., “Although the participants had varying levels of experience, they all completed the task successfully.”

While: e.g., “While some argue for stricter regulations, others contend that personal responsibility should prevail.”

Words To Use For Giving Examples

When writing an essay and providing examples to illustrate your points, you can use a variety of words and phrases to introduce those examples. Here are some examples:

For instance: Introduces a specific example to support or illustrate your point.

For example: Give an example to clarify or demonstrate your argument.

Such as: Indicates that you are providing a specific example or examples.

To illustrate: Signals that you are using an example to explain or emphasize your point.

One example is: Introduces a specific instance that exemplifies your argument.

In particular: Highlights a specific example that is especially relevant to your point.

As an illustration: Introduces an example that serves as a visual or concrete representation of your point.

A case in point: Highlights a specific example that serves as evidence or proof of your argument.

To demonstrate: Indicates that you are providing an example to show or prove your point.

To exemplify: Signals that you are using an example to illustrate or clarify your argument.

Using these words and phrases will help you effectively incorporate examples into your essay, making your arguments more persuasive and relatable. Remember to give clear and concise examples that directly support your main points.

Words To Signifying Importance

When writing an essay and wanting to signify the importance of a particular point or idea, you can use various words and phrases to convey this emphasis. Here are some examples:

Crucially: Indicates that the point being made is of critical importance.

Significantly: Highlights the importance or significance of the idea or information.

Importantly: Draws attention to the crucial nature of the point being discussed.

Notably: Emphasizes that the information or idea is particularly worthy of attention.

It is vital to note: Indicates that the point being made is essential and should be acknowledged.

It should be emphasized: Draws attention to the need to give special importance or focus to the point being made.

A key consideration is: Highlight that the particular idea or information is a central aspect of the discussion.

It is critical to recognize: Emphasizes that the understanding or acknowledgment of the point is crucial.

Using these words and phrases will help you convey the importance and significance of specific points or ideas in your essay, ensuring that readers recognize their significance and impact on the overall argument.

Exclusive Scientific Content, Created By Scientists

Mind the Graph platform provides scientists with exclusive scientific content that is created by scientists themselves. This unique feature ensures that the platform offers high-quality and reliable information tailored specifically for the scientific community. The platform serves as a valuable resource for researchers, offering a wide range of visual tools and templates that enable scientists to create impactful and visually engaging scientific illustrations and graphics for their publications, presentations, and educational materials.

research-verbs-blog

Subscribe to our newsletter

Exclusive high quality content about effective visual communication in science.

Sign Up for Free

Try the best infographic maker and promote your research with scientifically-accurate beautiful figures

no credit card required

Content tags

en_US

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Visual-Textual Devices for Achieving Emphasis

OWL logo

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

In the days before computerized word processing and desktop publishing, the publishing process began with a manuscript and/or a typescript that was sent to a print shop where it would be prepared for publication and printed. In order to show emphasis—to highlight the title of a book, to refer to a word itself as a word, or to indicate a foreign word or phrase—the writer would use underlining in the typescript, which would signal the typesetter at the print shop to use italic font for those words.

Even today, perhaps the simplest way to call attention to an otherwise unemphatic word or phrase is to underline or italicize it.

Flaherty is the new committee chair, not Buckley.

This mission is extremely important for our future: we must not fail !

Because writers using computers today have access to a wide variety of fonts and textual effects, they are no longer limited to underlining to show emphasis. Still, especially for academic writing, italics or underlining is the preferred way to emphasize words or phrases when necessary. Writers usually choose one or the other method and use it consistently throughout an individual essay.

In the final, published version of an article or book, italics are usually used. Writers in academic discourses and students learning to write academic papers are expected to express emphasis primarily through words themselves; overuse of various emphatic devices like changes of font face and size, boldface, all-capitals, and so on in the text of an essay creates the impression of a writer relying on flashy effects instead of clear and precise writing to make a point.

Boldface is also used, especially outside of academia, to show emphasis as well as to highlight items in a list, as in the following examples.

The picture that television commercials portray of the American home is far from realistic.

The following three topics will be covered:

  • topic 1: brief description of topic 1
  • topic 2: brief description of topic 2
  • topic 3: brief description of topic 3

Some writers use ALL-CAPITAL letters for emphasis, but they are usually unnecessary and can cause writing to appear cluttered and loud. In email correspondence, the use of all-caps throughout a message can create the unintended impression of shouting and is therefore discouraged.

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • Happiness Hub
  • This Or That Game
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Education and Communications
  • English Grammar

How to Emphasize a Word

Last Updated: January 9, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 90,056 times.

Emphasizing a word can be a way to make your point clearer or highlight key terms or phrases. Whether you're emphasizing a word in writing or text, the process is fairly simple. In texts, things like bold and italics are usually used as emphasis. You can pause and elongate a word to emphasize it in speech. With some attention to detail, you can really make your point clear through emphasis.

Emphasizing a Word in Text

Step 1 Stick to italics or underlining in academic writing.

  • For example, if you're trying to emphasize a major point in an academic paper, you could use italics in a sentence like, "This new study actually poses a major challenge to conventional medical practices."
  • If you're writing a paper for class or a particular journal, check the publication. Sometimes, things like book titles may be underlined instead of italicized.

Step 2 Opt for bold text for key information.

  • For example, if you're writing instructions on how to assemble a vacuum cleaner, you may write something like, "The upholstery brush is then attached to the end of the nozzle ."

Step 3 Use exclamations points in informal or creative writing.

  • For example, you may use an exclamation point in a sentence like, "She screamed as he made his way to the train platform, 'Stop and listen to me!'"
  • Exclamation points can come off as melodramatic if they're overused, so stick to using exclamation points for very big moments. If you're using text as a visual aid, such as in a presentation, try to incorporate other forms of emphasis such as using a bigger or bolded font, changing the spacing around the word, or changing the color of the word.

Emphasizing a Word in Speech

Step 1 Slow down your rate of speech.

  • For example, in the sentence, "This new technique led to a 30% increase in sales." You want to emphasize the phrase "30% increase," so pause for a moment after "a."

Step 3 Raise your voice only slightly.

  • Make sure to pronounce each syllable as clearly as possible and elongate the important word.

Step 4 Repeat the word for extra emphasis.

  • For example, "This new technique led to a 30% increase, a 30% increase, in sales this quarter."

Avoiding Pitfalls

Step 1 Adhere to the style guide you're working within.

  • Some publications may have their own unique style, using unconventional means like quotation marks as emphasis.

Step 2 Avoid all caps except in informal settings.

  • To help you remember which words to emphasize as you practice your speech, try bolding certain terms or using ellipses around them as a visual signal in your notes or script.

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

Write Dates

  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/adding_emphasis/index.html
  • ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/sentence-emphasis/
  • ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-publicspeaking/chapter/emphasis-volume-and-pauses/

About This Article

Christopher Taylor, PhD

  • Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

essay word emphasize

Featured Articles

Protect Yourself from Predators (for Kids)

Trending Articles

Best Excuses to Use to Explain Away a Hickey

Watch Articles

Clean the Bottom of an Oven

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Cambridge Dictionary

  • Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Synonyms and antonyms of emphasize in English

{{randomImageQuizHook.quizId}}

Word of the Day

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

to press the button on the left of a computer mouse in order to make the computer do something

Simply the best! (Ways to describe the best)

Simply the best! (Ways to describe the best)

Learn more with +Plus

  • Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
  • Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
  • Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
  • Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
  • English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
  • English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
  • English–Dutch Dutch–English
  • English–French French–English
  • English–German German–English
  • English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
  • English–Italian Italian–English
  • English–Japanese Japanese–English
  • English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
  • English–Polish Polish–English
  • English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
  • English–Spanish Spanish–English
  • English–Swedish Swedish–English
  • Dictionary +Plus Word Lists

To add ${headword} to a word list please sign up or log in.

Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

What's the opposite of
Meaning of the word
Words that rhyme with
Sentences with the word
Translate to
Find Words Use * for blank tiles (max 2) Use * for blank spaces
Find the of
Pronounce the word in
Find Names    
Appearance
Use device theme  
Dark theme
Light theme
? ? Here's a list of from our that you can use instead. the value of farming coffee in shaded environments.” the words in the title of my presentation.”
Use * for blank tiles (max 2)
Use * for blank spaces

Related Words and Phrases

Bottom_desktop desktop:[300x250].

go
Word Tools Finders & Helpers Apps More Synonyms


Copyright WordHippo © 2024

English Language

Transition Words

As a "part of speech" transition words are used to link words, phrases or sentences. They help the reader to progress from one idea (expressed by the author) to the next idea. Thus, they help to build up coherent relationships within the text.

Transitional Words

This structured list of commonly used English transition words — approximately 200, can be considered as quasi complete. It can be used (by students and teachers alike) to find the right expression. English transition words are essential, since they not only connect ideas, but also can introduce a certain shift, contrast or opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result or conclusion, etc. in the line of argument. The transition words and phrases have been assigned only once to somewhat artificial categories, although some words belong to more than one category.

There is some overlapping with prepositions and postpositions, but for the purpose of usage and completeness of this concise guide, I did not differentiate.

Linking & Connecting Words — Part 1/2

Agreement / Addition / Similarity

Opposition / limitation / contradiction, examples / support / emphasis, cause / condition / purpose, effect / consequence / result, conclusion / summary / restatement, time / chronology / sequence, space / location / place.

The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise , add information , reinforce ideas , and express agreement with preceding material.

in the first place

not only ... but also

as a matter of fact

in like manner

in addition

coupled with

in the same fashion / way

first, second, third

in the light of

not to mention

to say nothing of

equally important

by the same token

identically

together with

comparatively

correspondingly

furthermore

additionally

Transition phrases like but , rather and or , express that there is evidence to the contrary or point out alternatives , and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning ( contrast ).

although this may be true

in contrast

different from

of course ..., but

on the other hand

on the contrary

at the same time

in spite of

even so / though

be that as it may

(and) still

even though

nevertheless

nonetheless

notwithstanding

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions .

in the event that

granted (that)

as / so long as

on (the) condition (that)

for the purpose of

with this intention

with this in mind

in the hope that

to the end that

for fear that

in order to

seeing / being that

provided that

only / even if

inasmuch as

These transitional devices (like especially ) are used to introduce examples as support , to indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.

in other words

to put it differently

for one thing

as an illustration

in this case

for this reason

to put it another way

that is to say

with attention to

by all means

important to realize

another key point

first thing to remember

most compelling evidence

must be remembered

point often overlooked

to point out

on the positive side

on the negative side

specifically

surprisingly

significantly

particularly

in particular

for example

for instance

to demonstrate

to emphasize

to enumerate

Some of these transition words ( thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth ) are time words that are used to show that after a particular time there was a consequence or an effect .

Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed before the consequences or effects.

as a result

under those circumstances

in that case

because the

consequently

accordingly

These transition words and phrases conclude , summarize and / or restate ideas, or indicate a final general statement . Also some words (like therefore ) from the Effect / Consequence category can be used to summarize.

as can be seen

generally speaking

in the final analysis

all things considered

as shown above

in the long run

given these points

as has been noted

for the most part

in conclusion

to summarize

by and large

on the whole

in any event

in either case

These transitional words (like finally ) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining time . They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions .

at the present time

from time to time

sooner or later

up to the present time

to begin with

in due time

in the meantime

in a moment

without delay

all of a sudden

at this instant

first, second

immediately

straightaway

by the time

occasionally

Many transition words in the time category ( consequently; first, second, third; further; hence; henceforth; since; then, when; and whenever ) have other uses.

Except for the numbers ( first, second, third ) and further they add a meaning of time in expressing conditions, qualifications, or reasons. The numbers are also used to add information or list examples . Further is also used to indicate added space as well as added time.

These transition words are often used as part of adverbial expressions and have the function to restrict, limit or qualify space . Quite a few of these are also found in the Time category and can be used to describe spatial order or spatial reference.

in the middle

to the left/right

in front of

on this side

in the distance

here and there

in the foreground

in the background

in the center of

adjacent to

opposite to 

List of Transition Words

Transition Words & Phrases

Transition Words are also sometimes called (or put in the category of) Connecting Words. Please feel free to download them via this link to the category page: Linking Words & Connecting Words as a PDF. It contains all the transition words listed on this site. The image to the left gives you an impression how it looks like.

Usage of Transition Words in Essays

Transition words and phrases are vital devices for essays , papers or other literary compositions. They improve the connections and transitions between sentences and paragraphs. They thus give the text a logical organization and structure (see also: a List of Synonyms ).

All English transition words and phrases (sometimes also called 'conjunctive adverbs') do the same work as coordinating conjunctions : they connect two words, phrases or clauses together and thus the text is easier to read and the coherence is improved.

Usage: transition words are used with a special rule for punctuation : a semicolon or a period is used after the first 'sentence', and a comma is almost always used to set off the transition word from the second 'sentence'.

Example 1: People use 43 muscles when they frown; however, they use only 28 muscles when they smile.

Example 2: however, transition words can also be placed at the beginning of a new paragraph or sentence - not only to indicate a step forward in the reasoning, but also to relate the new material to the preceding thoughts..

Use a semicolon to connect sentences, only if the group of words on either side of the semicolon is a complete sentence each (both must have a subject and a verb, and could thus stand alone as a complete thought).

Further helpful readings about expressions, writing and grammar: Compilation of Writing Tips How to write good   ¦   Correct Spelling Study by an English University

Are you using WORD for writing professional texts and essays? There are many easy Windows Shortcuts available which work (almost) system-wide (e.g. in every programm you use).

E-Mail and Address

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Academic writing
  • Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples

Published on May 29, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 23, 2023.

Transition words and phrases (also called linking words, connecting words, or transitional words) are used to link together different ideas in your text. They help the reader to follow your arguments by expressing the relationships between different sentences or parts of a sentence.

The proposed solution to the problem did not work. Therefore , we attempted a second solution. However , this solution was also unsuccessful.

For clear writing, it’s essential to understand the meaning of transition words and use them correctly.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

Table of contents

When and how to use transition words, types and examples of transition words, common mistakes with transition words, other interesting articles.

Transition words commonly appear at the start of a new sentence or clause (followed by a comma ), serving to express how this clause relates to the previous one.

Transition words can also appear in the middle of a clause. It’s important to place them correctly to convey the meaning you intend.

Example text with and without transition words

The text below describes all the events it needs to, but it does not use any transition words to connect them. Because of this, it’s not clear exactly how these different events are related or what point the author is making by telling us about them.

If we add some transition words at appropriate moments, the text reads more smoothly and the relationship among the events described becomes clearer.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Consequently , France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. The Soviet Union initially worked with Germany in order to partition Poland. However , Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941.

Don’t overuse transition words

While transition words are essential to clear writing, it’s possible to use too many of them. Consider the following example, in which the overuse of linking words slows down the text and makes it feel repetitive.

In this case the best way to fix the problem is to simplify the text so that fewer linking words are needed.

The key to using transition words effectively is striking the right balance. It is difficult to follow the logic of a text with no transition words, but a text where every sentence begins with a transition word can feel over-explained.

Don't submit your assignments before you do this

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students. Free citation check included.

essay word emphasize

Try for free

There are four main types of transition word: additive, adversative, causal, and sequential. Within each category, words are divided into several more specific functions.

Remember that transition words with similar meanings are not necessarily interchangeable. It’s important to understand the meaning of all the transition words you use. If unsure, consult a dictionary to find the precise definition.

Additive transition words

Additive transition words introduce new information or examples. They can be used to expand upon, compare with, or clarify the preceding text.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Addition We found that the mixture was effective. , it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both and , not only but also , , in fact
Introduction Several researchers have previously explored this topic. , Smith (2014) examined the effects of … such as, like, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate, especially, notably
Reference The solution showed a high degree of absorption. , it is reasonable to conclude that … considering , regarding , in regard to , as for , concerning , the fact that , on the subject of
Similarity It was not possible to establish a correlation between these variables. , the connection between and remains unclear … similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in like manner, equally, likewise
Clarification The patient suffered several side effects, increased appetite, decreased libido, and disordered sleep. that is (to say), namely, specifically, more precisely, in other words

Adversative transition words

Adversative transition words always signal a contrast of some kind. They can be used to introduce information that disagrees or contrasts with the preceding text.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Conflict The novel does deal with the theme of family. , its central theme is more broadly political … but, however, although, though, equally, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, (and) yet, whereas, in contrast, (when) in fact, conversely, whereas
Concession Jones (2011) argues that the novel reflects Russian politics of the time. this is correct, other aspects of the text must also be considered. even so, nonetheless, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, despite , notwithstanding , (and) still, although, , regardless (of ), (and) yet, though, granted
Dismissal It remains unclear which of these hypotheses is correct. , it can be inferred that … regardless, either way, whatever the case, in any/either event, in any/either case, at any rate, all the same
Emphasis The chemical is generally thought to have corrosive properties. , several studies have supported this hypothesis. above all, indeed, more/most importantly
Replacement The character of Godfrey is often viewed as selfish, self-absorbed. (or) at least, (or) rather, instead, or (perhaps) even, if not

Causal transition words

Causal transition words are used to describe cause and effect. They can be used to express purpose, consequence, and condition.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Consequence Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. therefore, because (of ), as a result (of ), for this reason, in view of , as, owing to x, due to (the fact that), since, consequently, in consequence, as a consequence, hence, thus, so (that), accordingly, so much (so) that, under the/such circumstances, if so
Condition We qualified survey responses as positive the participant selected “agree” or “strongly agree.” , results were recorded as negative. (even/only) if/when, on (the) condition that, in the case that, granted (that), provided/providing that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, being that, inasmuch/insofar as, in that case, in (all) other cases, if so/not, otherwise
Purpose We used accurate recording equipment our results would be as precise as possible. to, in order to/that, for the purpose of, in the hope that, so that, to the end that, lest, with this in mind, so as to, so that, to ensure (that)

Sequential transition words

Sequential transition words indicate a sequence, whether it’s the order in which events occurred chronologically or the order you’re presenting them in your text. They can be used for signposting in academic texts.

Function Example sentence Transition words and phrases
Enumeration This has historically had several consequences: , the conflict is not given the weight of other conflicts in historical narratives. , its causes are inadequately understood. , … first, second, third…
Initiation , I want to consider the role played by women in this period. in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, at first
Continuation , I discuss the way in which the country’s various ethnic minorities were affected by the conflict. subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before , afterwards, after , then
Conclusion , I consider these two themes in combination. to conclude (with), as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, finally, lastly
Resumption my main argument, it is clear that … to return/returning to , to resume, at any rate
Summation Patel (2015) comes to a similar conclusion. , the four studies considered here suggest a consensus that the solution is effective. as previously stated/mentioned, in summary, as I have argued, overall, as has been mentioned, to summarize, briefly, given these points, in view of , as has been noted, in conclusion, in sum, altogether, in short

Transition words are often used incorrectly. Make sure you understand the proper usage of transition words and phrases, and remember that words with similar meanings don’t necessarily work the same way grammatically.

Misused transition words can make your writing unclear or illogical. Your audience will be easily lost if you misrepresent the connections between your sentences and ideas.

Confused use of therefore

“Therefore” and similar cause-and-effect words are used to state that something is the result of, or follows logically from, the previous. Make sure not to use these words in a way that implies illogical connections.

  • We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. Therefore , the average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

The use of “therefore” in this example is illogical: it suggests that the result of 7.5 follows logically from the question being asked, when in fact many other results were possible. To fix this, we simply remove the word “therefore.”

  • We asked participants to rate their satisfaction with their work from 1 to 10. The average satisfaction among participants was 7.5.

Starting a sentence with also , and , or so

While the words “also,” “and,” and “so” are used in academic writing, they are considered too informal when used at the start of a sentence.

  • Also , a second round of testing was carried out.

To fix this issue, we can either move the transition word to a different point in the sentence or use a more formal alternative.

  • A second round of testing was also carried out.
  • Additionally , a second round of testing was carried out.

Transition words creating sentence fragments

Words like “although” and “because” are called subordinating conjunctions . This means that they introduce clauses which cannot stand on their own. A clause introduced by one of these words should always follow or be followed by another clause in the same sentence.

The second sentence in this example is a fragment, because it consists only of the “although” clause.

  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. Although other researchers disagree.

We can fix this in two different ways. One option is to combine the two sentences into one using a comma. The other option is to use a different transition word that does not create this problem, like “however.”

  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed, although other researchers disagree.
  • Smith (2015) argues that the period should be reassessed. However , other researchers disagree.

And vs. as well as

Students often use the phrase “ as well as ” in place of “and,” but its usage is slightly different. Using “and” suggests that the things you’re listing are of equal importance, while “as well as” introduces additional information that is less important.

  • Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf, as well as presenting my analysis of To the Lighthouse .

In this example, the analysis is more important than the background information. To fix this mistake, we can use “and,” or we can change the order of the sentence so that the most important information comes first. Note that we add a comma before “as well as” but not before “and.”

  • Chapter 1 discusses some background information on Woolf and presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse .
  • Chapter 1 presents my analysis of To the Lighthouse , as well as discussing some background information on Woolf.

Note that in fixed phrases like “both x and y ,” you must use “and,” not “as well as.”

  • Both my results as well as my interpretations are presented below.
  • Both my results and my interpretations are presented below.

Use of and/or

The combination of transition words “and/or” should generally be avoided in academic writing. It makes your text look messy and is usually unnecessary to your meaning.

First consider whether you really do mean “and/or” and not just “and” or “or.” If you are certain that you need both, it’s best to separate them to make your meaning as clear as possible.

  • Participants were asked whether they used the bus and/or the train.
  • Participants were asked whether they used the bus, the train, or both.

Archaic transition words

Words like “hereby,” “therewith,” and most others formed by the combination of “here,” “there,” or “where” with a preposition are typically avoided in modern academic writing. Using them makes your writing feel old-fashioned and strained and can sometimes obscure your meaning.

  • Poverty is best understood as a disease. Hereby , we not only see that it is hereditary, but acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

These words should usually be replaced with a more explicit phrasing expressing how the current statement relates to the preceding one.

  • Poverty is best understood as a disease. Understanding it as such , we not only see that it is hereditary, but also acknowledge its devastating effects on a person’s health.

Using a paraphrasing tool for clear writing

With the use of certain tools, you can make your writing clear. One of these tools is a paraphrasing tool . One thing the tool does is help your sentences make more sense. It has different modes where it checks how your text can be improved. For example, automatically adding transition words where needed.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or writing rules make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

 Academic Writing

  • Avoiding repetition
  • Effective headings
  • Passive voice
  • Taboo words
  • Deep learning
  • Generative AI
  • Machine learning
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

  • Grammar Checker
  • Paraphrasing Tool
  • Text Summarizer
  • AI Detector
  • Plagiarism Checker
  • Citation Generator

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, August 23). Transition Words & Phrases | List & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/transition-words/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, using conjunctions | definition, rules & examples, transition sentences | tips & examples for clear writing, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, what is your plagiarism score.

Other languages

  • 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

essay word emphasize

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

Comments are closed.

  • Link to facebook
  • Link to linkedin
  • Link to twitter
  • Link to youtube
  • Writing Tips

Formatting for Emphasis

  • 3-minute read
  • 2nd April 2018

In this post, we’ll be looking at four ways to format emphasis in Microsoft Word : italics, bold, underlining, and all-caps. We’ll also look at why you shouldn’t use quote marks for emphasis.

In formal writing , italics are the best way to emphasize text. This includes most business writing and academic work. For example, you might find italics used in a textbook like this:

essay word emphasize

Here, italicizing “popularize” highlights the distinction between inventing something and making it popular. Italics can also be used to emphasize key parts of a quotation. If you do this, you also need to show that you’ve changed the formatting in the quoted text:

essay word emphasize

The quote above uses APA rules for adding emphasis, but make sure to check your style guide for how to do this if you’re using a different referencing system.

While bold fonts are mostly used for headings and subheadings in formal documents, they are used for emphasis online and in informal writing. This approach to emphasis is very visually striking:

essay word emphasize

Here, the words “strobe lighting” have been highlighted so they will stand out even for someone who is skim reading the document.

3. Underlining

In the days of typewriters , which didn’t have bold or italic fonts, underlining was the standard way to emphasize text. Now that we have computers, which offer a range of formatting options, this is less common.

However, you can still use underlining for emphasis if you want, especially in less formal writing. It can also be useful if you need to emphasize one or two words within a highlighted passage. For example:

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

essay word emphasize

In this case, underlining has been used to make “flying monkeys” stand out from the other bold text.

4. ALL-CAPS

You can also emphasize something by capitalizing it, though this can make it SEEM LIKE YOU’RE SHOUTING. This type of emphasis is therefore best saved for when you want something to look loud.

essay word emphasize

However, all-caps should not generally be used in formal or academic writing.

A Warning About Quotation Marks

One common mistake is using quote marks to emphasize a word. For example, you might see a sign outside a shop that says this:

essay word emphasize

The idea here is to stress the word “bargain.” But this isn’t correct. And since quote marks can be used to indicate irony (i.e., scare quotes ), it could even seem sarcastic! This sign could therefore suggest that the products are overpriced, which is the complete opposite of the intended message.

As such, you should avoid using quote marks for emphasis to ensure clarity in your written work.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

5-minute read

Free Email Newsletter Template (2024)

Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...

6-minute read

How to Write a Nonprofit Grant Proposal

If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7-minute read

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

4-minute read

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

Logo Harvard University

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

  • Daily Crossword
  • Word Puzzle
  • Word Finder
  • Word of the Day
  • Synonym of the Day
  • Word of the Year
  • Language stories
  • All featured
  • Gender and sexuality
  • All pop culture
  • Writing hub
  • Grammar essentials
  • Commonly confused
  • All writing tips
  • Pop culture
  • Writing tips

Advertisement

[ em -f uh -sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

to emphasize a point;

to emphasize the eyes with mascara.

Synonyms: highlight , accentuate , accent

/ ˈɛmfəˌsaɪz /

  • tr to give emphasis or prominence to; stress

Other Words From

  • hy·per·em·pha·size verb (used with object) hyperemphasized hyperemphasizing
  • mis·em·pha·size verb (used with object) misemphasized misemphasizing
  • re·em·pha·size verb (used with object) reemphasized reemphasizing
  • su·per·em·pha·size verb (used with object) superemphasized superemphasizing
  • un·em·pha·siz·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphasize 1

Example Sentences

The pharmaceutical industry and public health officials must emphasize safety first.

“We are not claiming we found life on Venus,” Seager emphasizes.

InMarket also emphasizes third party validation of its audience targeting and attribution methodology, as well as location-data accuracy.

This book emphasizes that nothing is fixed—not intelligence, not capacity, not skill set.

You emphasize how easy it is for anyone to be taken in throughout the series.

Many Americans move to places that de-emphasize the particularities of their local community.

The pictures of Gilkes emphasize, quite rightly and inevitably, his classic good looks.

Sharpton would later emphasize to The Daily Beast that he neither possesses nor desires such power.

In 2014, it appears, the key to winning in a swing state is to avoid talking about issues and emphasize pig castration.

And as if to emphasize their accounts, in early afternoon a U.S. airstrike hit a building in the middle of Kobani.

I have wanted him to do it absolutely on his own, and I could not emphasize this better than by coming right away to Mudros.

The centenary of Petrarch celebrated at Avignon in 1874 tended to emphasize the importance and the glory of the new literature.

Wherefore Bud had deliberately done what he could do to stimulate and emphasize both the surprise and the gratification.

It is only necessary to take all these things for granted, and emphasize certain other things which are peculiar to the sea.

In an ordinary light it is only a few broad planes of value and color without an accent object to emphasize or centre on.

Related Words

Improving Your English

Transition words for emphasis to highlight an important point

essay word emphasize

Transition words are an important part of the English language as they help us structure what we say, show our thought process, and draw attention to particular points.

In this case, we are looking at transition words for emphasis . These are useful for highlighting an important point, accentuating meaning, or helping people focus on what you are saying.

man highlighting text with transition words for emphasis

Transition words for emphasis

Adverbial transition words for emphasis.

One easy way to emphasize a point or draw greater attention to it is with the use of adverbs.

There is no set list of adverbial discourse markers for emphasis, as the majority of adjectives can be converted to adverbs and used in this way.

However, to begin with, here are some adverbs that can be used to emphasize or highlight the importance of something:

  • Importantly
  • Particularly
  • Significantly

These can also be called focusing adverbs , as they help focus attention on a particular part of a sentence.

Here are some example sentences using these adverbs as transition words to emphasize:

  • The company’s profits have increased notably since the new CEO took over.
  • She was laughing so hard, she even cried a little.
  • Obviously , the children’s safety is our priority.
  • We clearly need to refresh our advertising strategy this quarter.
  • Due to a cold front moving through the area, the temperature will drop markedly .

In the sentences above, the adverb does not alter the meaning significantly; it just emphasizes a particular point.

More adverbial transition words to show emphasis

Now, here are some more adventurous adverbs that you could use to accentuate a point. Note that not all of these will be appropriate to use in every situation, so take note of what they actually mean.

  • Compellingly
  • Interestingly
  • Intriguingly
  • Specifically
  • Surprisingly

This list is practically endless. You can use this type of adverb, also called adverbs of manner , to add nuance to a statement and even change its meaning.

For example, take the simple sentence “ She looked beautiful. ” Let’s see how adding one of these emphasizing words can alter the meaning slightly:

  • She looked surprisingly beautiful.
  • She looked strikingly beautiful.
  • She looked incredibly beautiful.
  • She looked remarkably beautiful.
  • She looked curiously beautiful.

This resource has some more powerful adverb ideas and guidance on how to use them effectively.

Discourse markers to emphasize one point above others

Sometimes we use transition words for emphasis to highlight one point or one thing over others . In this case, the following words and phrases are suitable:

  • In particular
  • Predominantly

For example:

  • We want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to speak in class, especially the less confident students.
  • I know we are here to have fun, but above all , we are raising money for the orphanage.
  • The new company policy is chiefly focused on improving employee productivity.
  • Our revenue comes predominantly from online sales.

Emphasizing the indisputability of a point

These emphasis transition words and phrases are used to stress the factual accuracy or indisputability of something (at least, in the opinion of the speaker):

  • Indisputably
  • Irrefutably
  • To say the least
  • Undoubtedly
  • Unquestionably
  • Without a doubt
  • Without a second thought
  • Without doubt
  • Without question
  • Without reservation

Here are some example sentences using these emphasis transition words:

  • I have been truly overwhelmed by all your kind words.
  • He would, without reservation , quit his job to be a stay-at-home Dad.
  • Chocolate mint chip is unarguably the best ice cream flavor.
  • The video footage confirmed that she had indeed set a new record.
  • I have absolutely no problem with letting Mark lead this meeting.
  • Mozart is indisputably one of the most influential composers of all time.

Drawing attention back to a previous point

If you wish to emphasize a point that has already been mentioned, to make sure that it has not been forgotten, here are some transition words and phrases to use.

You can also use these to politely bring to mind a piece of general information that your audience should already be aware of.

  • It must be remembered that…
  • Let’s not forget that…
  • Not forgetting that…
  • Remembering that…
  • Keeping in mind that…
  • You may recall…
  • We must keep in mind that…
  • It’s important to realize that…
  • A point often overlooked is…
  • May I point out that…

Here are some example sentences using these transition words for emphasis:

  • You may recall that last year our profit margin was minus six percent.
  • Let’s not forget that independent user trials returned a positive opinion of the new layout.
  • Remembering that our budget has been cut this year, let’s focus on cost savings.
  • We must keep in mind that most students are relying on public transport to reach the event.
  • It’s important to realize that “compostable” plastics only decompose under certain conditions.
  • May I point out that our water dispenser has been broken for over three weeks?

Discourse markers for emphasis and order

Finally, some phrases for emphasizing are also used as transition words for order and sequencing . Examples include:

  • The first thing to remember is…
  • First of all, …
  • Let’s turn our attention to…
  • Let’s move on to…
  • As a matter of fact, …
  • May I draw your attention to…

These not only guide the listener or reader on to the next point, but draw attention to it as well. Some of these also merge into the realm of counterclaim transition words. Here are a few examples of how you can use them:

  • The first thing to remember is that we all have different opinions about this matter.
  • Now, let’s turn our attention to the question of the new building fund.
  • I don’t think we have enough coffee left to last us this week. In fact , we have almost run out.

To conclude

Transition words for emphasis can’t be as clearly defined as some other types of signal words, especially when it comes to adverbs, since there is quite some freedom in how you use them.

Still, we hope you have found this article useful and it has given you some fresh inspiration for whatever you are working on.

If you’d like to continue learning about discourse markers, here are some additional resources for you to browse:

Addition transition words Compare and contrast transition words Transition words for similarity Transition words and phrases for concluding

Learn a new language from home - get Lifetime Access to Mondly with 95% OFF!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and site URL in my browser for next time I post a comment.

Sign me up for the newsletter!

  • Daily Crossword
  • Word Puzzle
  • Word Finder
  • Word of the Day
  • Synonym of the Day
  • Word of the Year
  • Language stories
  • All featured
  • Gender and sexuality
  • All pop culture
  • Writing hub
  • Grammar essentials
  • Commonly confused
  • All writing tips
  • Pop culture
  • Writing tips

Advertisement

noun as in importance, prominence

Strongest matches

attention , insistence , intensity , priority , significance , strength , stress , weight

Strong matches

accent , accentuation , force , headline , highlight , impressiveness , moment , positiveness , power , preeminence

Weak matches

decidedness , underlining , underscoring

Related Words

Words related to emphasis are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word emphasis . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in stress or pitch in pronunciation

  • accentuation
  • articulation
  • enunciation
  • pronunciation

noun as in articulation of message

noun as in overstatement, embellishment

  • aggrandizement
  • amplification
  • elaboration
  • enlargement
  • extravagance
  • fabrication
  • figure of speech
  • flight of fancy
  • magnification
  • misjudgment
  • misrepresentation
  • overemphasis
  • overestimation
  • pretentiousness

noun as in verbalization

  • announcement
  • asseveration
  • choice of words
  • communication
  • declaration
  • elucidation
  • explanation
  • formulation
  • interpretation
  • phraseology
  • pronouncement
  • turn of phrase

Viewing 5 / 26 related words

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

Free Al Office Suite with PDF Editor

Edit Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE.

Read, edit, and convert PDFs with the powerful PDF toolkit.

Microsoft-like interface, easy to use.

Windows • MacOS • Linux • iOS • Android

banner

  • Articles of Word

How to Use Transitions to Start a Paragraph [Tips with Examples]

Transition words are essentially bridges that help you move smoothly from one topic to another, ensuring your writing maintains its flow and relevance. These words and phrases are particularly useful when starting a new paragraph, as they signal a shift to a new aspect of the main topic under discussion. Understanding and using transition words effectively is a subtle yet powerful skill that can significantly enhance the coherence of your writing. As a writer, I'll demonstrate the best ways to incorporate transition words so your passages flow seamlessly and make sense to your readers.

What are Transitions?

Transition words are words or phrases that connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs to ensure a smooth flow in writing. They serve as bridges, guiding readers from one point to the next without losing coherence. These transitions can indicate relationships such as addition (e.g., "furthermore," "moreover"), contrast (e.g., "however," "on the other hand"), or cause and effect (e.g., "therefore," "consequently").

The importance of transition words in essays cannot be overstated. They enhance the overall structure, making the text more readable and logical. By clearly signaling shifts in ideas or arguments, transition words help readers follow the writer's train of thought and understand the connections between different points. This not only improves comprehension but also keeps the readers engaged, making the writing more effective and persuasive.

Transition Words in Academic Writing

Transition words are valuable in academic writing as they help with the flow of presenting your idea or argument. However, students are often confused, either by not knowing which one to use where or by how many to use. So, while transitions are important, misuse or overuse can both be a nuisance. Let's explore five important categories of transition words for essays and how you can use them effectively in your essays, reports, and research papers.

1. Addition and Emphasis

When you're building your argument or explaining complex ideas, addition and emphasis transition words are invaluable. Use these to introduce new information, provide examples, or stress key points. They'll help you expand on your thoughts and strengthen your arguments, showing your professor that you've thoroughly explored the topic.

Example #1

Furthermore, the study revealed a strong correlation between diet and cardiovascular health. Specifically, participants who consumed more plant-based foods showed lower rates of heart disease.

Example #2

The study found a correlation between exercise and improved mental health. Moreover, participants reported increased energy levels and better sleep quality.

Example #3

In addition to its economic impact, the new policy has significant environmental implications. Notably, it's expected to reduce carbon emissions by 15% over the next decade.

2. Cause and Effect

In academic writing, you'll often need to explain how one thing leads to another. Cause and effect transition words help you clearly demonstrate these relationships. Whether you're discussing scientific processes or historical events, these transitions will make your reasoning more logical and easier to follow.

Example # 1

Because of the heavy rain, the outdoor event was canceled.

Example #2

The company invested in new technology, consequently improving efficiency.

Example #3

As a result of the new training program, employee satisfaction increased dramatically.

3. Contrast and Comparison

Sometimes you'll need to show how things are similar or different in your assignments. That's when contrast and comparison transition words come in handy. They help you present different ideas side by side, making it easier for your readers to see connections and differences. These transitions are especially useful when you're analyzing literature, comparing historical periods, or discussing pros and cons in a debate.

Example #1

On the one hand, the policy has economic benefits; on the other hand, it poses environmental risks.

Example #2

While traditional methods of energy production have been cost-effective, they often come with significant environmental drawbacks. In contrast, renewable energy sources offer a more sustainable long-term solution, albeit with higher initial costs.

Example #3

While the first option is cheaper, the second offers better long-term value.

4. Sequence and Order

Organizing your ideas logically is key to successful academic writing. Sequence and order transition words help you present information in a clear, step-by-step manner. Whether you're describing a process, narrating events, or structuring an argument, these transitions will make your writing more coherent and easier to understand.

Example #1

To conduct the experiment, firstly, prepare the solution. Subsequently, add the catalyst. Finally, measure the reaction rate.

Example #2

Initially, the project seemed daunting, but eventually, we found our rhythm.

Example #3

Finally, after months of preparation, we launched the product.

5. Summary and Conclusion

As you wrap up your essays or reports, summary and conclusion transition words signal to your reader that you're bringing your thoughts together. Use these to restate your main points, offer final insights, or suggest areas for further research. They'll help you end your writing on a strong note, leaving your professor with a clear understanding of your argument or analysis.

Example #1

In conclusion, this research demonstrates the complex relationship between socioeconomic factors and educational outcomes. Further studies are needed to explore potential interventions.

Example #2

To sum up, we've seen how these factors contribute to the overall trend.

Example #3

Ultimately, the success of the project depends on continued collaboration and innovation.

How to Choose the Right Transition Words

Choosing the right transition words can significantly improve the flow and clarity of your writing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to transition between paragraphs and sentences to help you select the most appropriate transition words:

1.Identify the relationship between ideas

First, analyze how your sentences or paragraphs connect. Are you:

Adding information?

Showing contrast?

Explaining cause and effect?

Providing an example?

Emphasizing a point?

Understanding this relationship will guide you towards the right category of transition words. For instance, if you're adding information, you might use words like "furthermore" or "in addition." If you're showing contrast, "however" or "on the other hand" could be appropriate. For cause and effect, consider "therefore" or "as a result".

2.Consider the purpose of your transition

Think about what you're trying to achieve with your transition. Are you:

Moving to a new topic?

Elaborating on a previous point?

Concluding your thoughts?

This will help you narrow down your choices within the category you've identified. For example, if you're moving to a new topic, you might use "shifting gears" or "turning to." If you're elaborating, "to illustrate" or "specifically" could work well. For conclusions, consider "in summary" or "ultimately."

3.Look at the context

Consider the tone and style of your writing. Some transitions are more formal, while others are more casual. Choose one that fits the overall voice of your essay.

4.Avoid overuse

Don't feel pressured to use a transition word for every sentence. Use them where they truly add value and improve the flow of your writing.

5.Experiment with different options

If you're unsure, try out a few different transition words to see which one sounds best. Reading your work aloud can help you decide.

For example, let's say you're transitioning:

Between two paragraphs:

Bad example:

The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to manufacturing. Cities grew rapidly as people moved for factory jobs.

Good example:

The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to manufacturing. As a result, cities grew rapidly as people moved for factory jobs.

OR

The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to manufacturing. Moreover, this period saw rapid urban growth as people relocated for factory jobs.

Transitioning between related ideas

Bad example:

The human brain is a complex organ, capable of processing vast amounts of information in milliseconds. Its intricate network of neurons allows for rapid communication between different regions, facilitating everything from basic motor functions to complex problem-solving.

Good example:

Moreover, the brain's plasticity enables it to adapt and learn throughout our lives. This remarkable ability, known as neuroplasticity, allows us to acquire new skills, form memories, and even recover from certain types of brain damage.

Transitioning from a general idea to a specific example

Bad example:

Climate change is having far-reaching effects on ecosystems worldwide. From rising sea levels to extreme weather events, the impact of global warming is becoming increasingly evident in various parts of the world.

Good example:

For instance, the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia provides a stark illustration of these changes. In recent years, rising ocean temperatures have led to widespread coral bleaching, threatening the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem. This not only affects the diverse marine life that depends on the reef but also has significant economic implications for industries such as tourism and fishing.

These examples demonstrate how transition words can improve the flow and coherence of your writing. The "bad" examples aren't necessarily incorrect, but the "good" examples show how transitions can make the connections between ideas clearer and more explicit. Each transition word subtly changes the relationship between the ideas, so choose the one that best represents your intended meaning.

Once we understand the purpose of transition words, using them in essays becomes a lot easier. But then a question that often arises is: how many transition words are appropriate in an essay? The answer is simple: look at the points where you're transitioning from one idea to another. These are your opportunities to use transition words effectively.

This can be a little challenging, which is why I recommend using WPS Office . WPS Office offers an AI spell check feature, which allows students to ensure that not only are there no spelling or grammatical errors in their content, but it also provides checks for clarity, engagement, and delivery.

Let's look at a paragraph I wrote in WPS Office, where I thought I had used a few transition words appropriately. However, when I had it checked by WPS AI spell check, it turned out there were a couple of unnecessary transition words in the article.

This shows how even when we think we're using transition words correctly, there's always room for improvement. Tools like WPS Office can be invaluable in helping us refine our writing and use transition words more effectively.

Using WPS AI to Perfect Your Essay

WPS AI is an AI tool incorporated within the WPS Office suite, offering a multitude of features that leverage advanced artificial intelligence to support your essay writing needs. From helping you refine and build up your ideas to making them more definite, WPS AI assists at every stage of your writing process. If you have already written your essay, it will ultimately help you refine it further.

Here’s how WPS AI can assist you in crafting an outstanding essay:

1.Check the Grammar and Syntax

WPS AI meticulously checks your essay for grammatical errors and syntax issues. It ensures that your writing is free from common mistakes, such as incorrect verb tenses, misplaced commas, and subject-verb disagreements. By providing suggestions for corrections, WPS AI helps you maintain a high level of professionalism and clarity in your writing.

2.Rewrite Your Statement for Clarity

WPS AI can improve the clarity and coherence of your essay by rewriting complex or awkwardly phrased sentences. It identifies areas where your writing may be ambiguous or convoluted and offers alternative phrasing that enhances readability. This feature ensures that your ideas are communicated effectively and your arguments are presented logically.

To access this function, simply look for the WPS AI list of options and click on "Improve Writing". This will generate a more refined version of your essay, making your writing more polished and professional.

3.Automatically Expand Content

When you need to elaborate on a point or expand a section of your essay, WPS AI can automatically generate additional content. This feature helps you continue writing seamlessly, providing suggestions and content that align with your essay's theme and tone. It’s particularly useful for developing supporting arguments, providing more examples, or elaborating on complex ideas.

To use this function, simply click on the "Continue Writing" option from the WPS AI list of options. This will generate additional content that extends your current paragraph or section.

1. Can using too many transition words be a problem?

Overusing transition words can diminish the quality of your writing. These words are meant to link sentences and ideas, but using them too much can make your writing repetitive and dull. Striking a balance in their application ensures your writing remains concise and effectively communicates your ideas without unnecessary repetition.

2. Can transition words be used in formal writing?

Transition words and phrases are essential in formal writing as they promote coherence, navigate readers through arguments, and improve the overall flow of your text, guaranteeing clarity and logical progression.

Transitions 101: Your Guide to Smoother, Clearer Writing

Once you get the hang of transition words, you can bet you can write an essay in its full flow. But even if you're short on time, you can use WPS AI to help with where and how you want to add transition words.

With WPS Office, you get these advanced features and more, all designed to support your academic writing needs. Its AI-powered tools help you write, edit, and refine your essays, ensuring they are polished and professional. Plus, WPS Office is free, making it an accessible and invaluable resource for students and academics. Download WPS Office today and take your essay writing to the next level!

  • 1. How to Start An Essay- Steps with Examples
  • 2. How to Start an Email (in Company and College)
  • 3. 10 Must-have software for college students to start school
  • 4. Start your office journey in Google Docs right now
  • 5. Free AI Paragraph Writing Tool Generator - No Sign Up
  • 6. How to Write an Introduction Paragraph: Examples and Guide

essay word emphasize

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.

Home > Blog > Best Transition Words for Essays (With Examples)

Best Transition Words for Essays (With Examples)

Best Transition Words for Essays (With Examples)

  • Smodin Editorial Team
  • Updated: August 13, 2024
  • General Guide About Content and Writing

Most essays require you to discuss more than one idea. However, transitioning into a new idea abruptly can be sudden and jarring for the reader. This is where transition words come in. Even if writing essays isn’t your strong suit , it’s pretty easy to learn how to use transition words and phrases.

So, what are transition words? They are words and phrases that show a link between two elements. They might show that you’re pivoting to a new topic, introducing new evidence, or summing up your points. They can even link paragraphs together with ease and improve your writing flow . Sprinkling these throughout your essay helps the reader understand your argument more clearly.

Essentially, transition words for essays are crucial to improve the flow of your writing. But you still need to know how to wield them effectively if you want top marks.

A person holding a pile of books about essays up against a white wall.

How to Use Transition Words in Essays

A transition word signals a change in your writing. You use them as part of transition sentences, which contain either two opposing topics or connect similar ideas.

You don’t need transition words in every sentence. Just re-read our introduction–not every sentence has one. Not even every paragraph has them! But including them throughout your work can really help the reader understand where they’re at in the text.

Consider this example:

  • The experiment was successful. We decided to conduct further research.
  • The experiment was successful. Therefore, we decided to conduct further research.

The second sentence highlights the connection between these two ideas. The connection could be contrasting ideas, similar ones, or a sequence. As a result, the reader understands a more logical flow within the text. Although the first sentence is still grammatically correct, it’s a little jarring.

And this is a crucial thing to note about transition words. Sometimes, the connection is obvious. Words and phrases like “however” and “for example” appear completely logically in the text. In the same way, sequential transition words like “first”, “next,” “last”, and so on are obvious choices. However, other transition words are less obvious–their primary goal is just to improve flow. They keep your writing organized.

Most transition words and phrases appear at the beginning of sentences, paragraphs, or clauses. Although, they can sometimes appear in other places, too.

It’s also worth noting that you need to choose the right transition word. Let’s explore some examples below.

A person writing the best transition words for an essay in a notebook.

Examples of Transition Words for Essays

Depending on the essay you’re writing, you might find that it calls for different transition words. Some transition words and phrases introduce new content ideas , while others highlight that two ideas are equally important.

In fact, you might need several of these types in any academic writing you do. Let’s explore eight types of transition words that you might need.

Transition Words for Contradictions

In many essays, you’ll need to weigh up an argument with a counter-argument. There are individual words and phrases that can highlight this contrast, moving from one idea to its opposing one.

Contradiction words include:

  • On the other hand
  • Nevertheless
  • On the contrary

You can say something like:

  • Conversely, an alternative method proved effective.
  • However, this approach has its limitations.

This is great for analytical essays where you’re including a comparison.

Transition Words for Additions

Most essays require you to demonstrate your reasoning. As a result, you need to illustrate the evidence you have for a particular point. You might even need more than one point.

There are several transition words for this purpose:

  • Additionally
  • Furthermore
  • In addition

You could say:

  • Additionally, he brings a positive attitude alongside his skills.
  • Furthermore, the research supports this conclusion

Both of these sentences can help you add onto your previous statement, hammering your idea home. Often, you can use these words to show that two ideas are equally important, too. It provides a simple addition, rather than making one seem more important than the other.

Transition Words for Introducing Examples

In the same way, there are other transition words that you can use specifically for examples. These are great (and easy) ways to introduce your evidence. They include:

  • For example
  • For instance

Your sentence might look like this:

  • For example, the evidence illustrates that…
  • Namely, adding elements like humor can engage readers.

It’s a good idea to write down a list of these that you can use throughout your essay. That way, you’re not using the same transition words throughout.

Transition Words for Conditions and Cause and Effect

Sometimes, a transition word can denote causality between two things. This is like the example we saw before, using “therefore.” These transition words are not always as obvious, but they can vastly improve the flow of your writing.

They include:

  • Consequently
  • As a result

If you’re writing a history essay or trying to show a consequence, these transition words are your best friends. Think of these example sentences:

  • Therefore, it’s crucial to follow guidelines.
  • Hence, the project was delayed.

Again, try writing these down to include throughout your essay.

Transition Words for Extra Clarification

The right transition word can also help you clarify your points or add emphasis. Often, it just takes a single word to change the meaning of your sentence and add some emphasis. For example:

  • Undoubtedly

Often, these words and phrases are great for stressing the importance of a point you just made. For instance, you could say:

  • Indeed, the findings are significant.
  • Clearly, this approach is more effective.

Be careful how you use these transition words, though. Depending on how convincing your argument is, your reader might draw a different conclusion. So, don’t use words like “undoubtedly” unless you’re really sure!

Transition Words for Summarizing

At the end of your essay, you need to provide a summary of all your points. Launching straight into the conclusion can be sudden, which is why you need a transition word to announce the summary. Try these:

  • In conclusion
  • To summarize
  • All things considered
  • To conclude

All of these words are great for introducing the final paragraph. They show the reader that you’re about to recap your key points. You’ll often see sentences like this:

  • In conclusion, the study supports the hypothesis.
  • To summarize, the benefits outweigh the costs.

Adding these words or phrases is a great way to introduce your final analysis.

Transition Words for Time Relations

Whenever you read a recipe, you’ll find transitions that show time relationships. This is because recipes come in steps, where each point follows immediately after the previous. However, there are also other ways to use these transition words. First, let’s look at some of the options:

  • Subsequently

Here are two examples of these words in use, one from a step-by-step and another from an essay:

  • First, gather all the necessary materials.
  • Subsequently, the researchers analyzed the data.

As you can see in the second example, you can use these transitions in analysis, too.

Transition Words for Series and Sequences

Sequential transition words are very similar to what we discussed previously. In fact, there’s some overlap. However, these words appear in an exact sequence:

  • In the first place
  • In the second place

And so on. You can use each one to illustrate where you are in a specific process. For example:

  • First, we need to address the main issue.
  • In the first place, the policy needs revision.

Again, you can use these for sequential events like recipes, but also to lead the reader through your argument. Remember, every essay should have a beginning, middle, and end. So, you can use transition words like this to signpost where you are in your argument.

A person typing on a laptop on a white table that also has a plant and a phone placed next to the laptop.

How Smodin’s AI Writer Can Help with Transition Words

Still struggling with transition words and phrases? There’s a tool for that! Smodin’s AI writer can help you generate content in line with your ideas. It’s an advanced essay writing tool that writes academic papers to a high standard. And it seamlessly integrates transition words! By using a variety of single words and phrases, Smodin creates engaging text with a great flow.

Here’s an example:

  • Without Smodin’s AI Writer: “Climate change is a pressing issue. Many countries are implementing green policies.”
  • With Smodin’s AI Writer: “Climate change is a pressing issue; therefore, many countries are implementing green policies.”

And, Smodin’s AI writer meets rigorous academic standards. Compared to other generative AI tools, Smodin is far better for academic work. It has a much more specific database of high-quality academic work, allowing it to write texts of a similar grade.

This ensures that the transition words and phrases used are appropriate for formal writing. The tool understands the nuances of academic language, suggesting transitions that elevate the quality of your essay.

Key Features of Smodin’s AI Writer

Smodin has several key features that can help you create essays of high standard, such as:

  • Enhanced Flow and Coherence: The AI suggests transition words that enhance the readability and logical flow of your essay.
  • Contextual Suggestions: Based on the context of your writing, the AI provides suitable transition words and phrases.
  • Tailored to Academic Standards: Smodin’s AI ensures that the transitions used are appropriate for academic writing, adhering to formal standards.

So what are you waiting for? See how Smodin’s AI writer can effortlessly enhance your essays through both structure and flow. With Smodin, you can get higher grades and a better understanding of your work.

A close-up of a person typing on a laptop keyboard.

Use the Best Transition Words for Essays

Using transition words in essays is crucial for creating a smooth and coherent flow of ideas. These words and phrases are the bridges that guide your readers through your arguments. Without them, it’s harder to understand the connections between different points. So, effective use of transition words not only improves the readability of your essay but also strengthens your overall argument.

Smodin’s AI Writer is an invaluable tool for incorporating transition words seamlessly into your essay. This advanced tool suggests contextually appropriate transitions, ensuring your essay flows logically and meets high academic standards.

Don’t let the challenge of finding the right transition words hinder your writing. Explore Smodin’s AI Writer to elevate your essay writing skills and produce top-quality academic papers. Perhaps you’re a student aiming for higher grades or a writer seeking to improve the flow of your work. Smodin’s AI Writer is here to help. Try Smodin today and experience the difference in your writing!

UK Edition Change

  • UK Politics
  • News Videos
  • Paris 2024 Olympics
  • Rugby Union
  • Sport Videos
  • John Rentoul
  • Mary Dejevsky
  • Andrew Grice
  • Sean O’Grady
  • Photography
  • Theatre & Dance
  • Culture Videos
  • Fitness & Wellbeing
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Families
  • Royal Family
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Car Insurance Deals
  • Lifestyle Videos
  • UK Hotel Reviews
  • News & Advice
  • Simon Calder
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • South America
  • C. America & Caribbean
  • Middle East
  • Politics Explained
  • News Analysis
  • Today’s Edition
  • Home & Garden
  • Broadband deals
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Travel & Outdoors
  • Sports & Fitness
  • Climate 100
  • Sustainable Living
  • Climate Videos
  • Solar Panels
  • Behind The Headlines
  • On The Ground
  • Decomplicated
  • You Ask The Questions
  • Binge Watch
  • Travel Smart
  • Watch on your TV
  • Crosswords & Puzzles
  • Most Commented
  • Newsletters
  • Ask Me Anything
  • Virtual Events
  • Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

College student who used the n-word 200 times in drunken attack on Black classmate faces jail after pleading guilty

Rosing agreed to make a guilty plea after sitting for a mediation session with the woman she attacked, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Evening Headlines

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the us, thanks for signing up to the evening headlines email.

A former University of Kentucky student who was accused of hurling racial slurs and attacking a Black schoolmate while drunk has pleaded guilty to assault and other charges.

Sophia Rosing , 23, admitted four counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of public intoxication, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader .

She was arrested and charged in 2022 after she attacked a Black student working at a campus residence hall while she was drunk.

The attack was caught on video and went viral on social media. The victim in the attack, Kylah Spring, says in the video that Rosing struck her numerous times and kicked her in the stomach. As Spring is explaining what happened to her, Rosing can be heard yelling at her in the background, calling the Black student the n-word and a "b****" throughout the footage. She uses the racial slur approximately 200 times over the course of the video.

Rosing was ultimately indicted by a grand jury on six counts, according to WKYT . Shortly after the attack, the University of Kentucky banned her from the campus and announced Rosing would be ineligible to re-enroll.

Sophia Rosing pleaded guilty after a mediation session with the victim

"As a community working wholeheartedly to prevent racist violence, we also must be committed to holding people accountable for their actions. The processes we have in place are essential," the university president, Eli Capilouto, said in a video the school released after the attack.

She faces up to a year in jail and 100 hours of community service, according to her attorney, Fred Peters.

The 23-year-old reportedly decided to plead guilty after participating in a mediation session with the victim.

"A lot of things got said, apologies were made and we worked it out," Peters said. "She has had a lot of time to think about what she has done, and she wrote a nice letter of apology."

Spring, the woman Rosing attacked, had a less rosy view of the meeting. She told WLEX that she did not believe Rosing to be genuinely remorseful.

"I feel that a person that is remorseful takes actions that are moving towards proving they are remorseful," Spring told the outlet. "Not just words."

Spring said the mediation hearing also provided her with the opportunity to address Rosing directly.

“I told her that she didn't break my spirit,” Spring said. “That was one of the things I said the first time I ever spoke about what happened and that rings true today.”

Rosing initially pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned in November 2022. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 17.

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

  • My Independent Premium
  • Account details
  • Help centre

The Economic Times

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

Independence day 2024: simple essay writing tips and samples for school and college students.

Whatsapp Follow Channel

Independence Day 2024 Essay Tips: Celebrated annually on August 15th, India's Independence Day in 2024 marks 77 years since gaining freedom from British rule in 1947. The day features flag hoisting, patriotic songs, and cultural performances. Schools and public institutions commemorate the event, highlighting the contributions of freedom fighters and fostering national pride.

Essay for Independence Day

Independence Day 2024 Essay Writing Tips

Independence day 2024: sample essays, read more news on.

(Catch all the Business News , Breaking News , Budget 2024 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times .)

Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

These cars aren’t really Toyota’s own, but account for 50% of its India sales:Image

These cars aren’t really Toyota’s own, but account for 50% of its India sales

A list of 15 stocks that FPIs are buying amid an expensive market:Image

A list of 15 stocks that FPIs are buying amid an expensive market

Remember the July 19 global computer outage? Turns out Microsoft made just one e:Image

Remember the July 19 global computer outage? Turns out Microsoft made just one error. And it wasn’t something technical.

LIC policy holders beware: Why assigning your policies to a company can be troub:Image

LIC policy holders beware: Why assigning your policies to a company can be troublesome

Assam holds a cautionary tale for the student leaders of Bangladesh:Image

Assam holds a cautionary tale for the student leaders of Bangladesh

Stock Radar: Insurance stocks look attractive; Max Financial Services could hit :Image

Stock Radar: Insurance stocks look attractive; Max Financial Services could hit fresh 52-week highs

The Economic Times

Find this comment offensive?

Choose your reason below and click on the Report button. This will alert our moderators to take action

Reason for reporting:

Your Reason has been Reported to the admin.

avatar

To post this comment you must

Log In/Connect with:

Fill in your details:

Will be displayed

Will not be displayed

Share this Comment:

Uh-oh this is an exclusive story available for selected readers only..

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

essay word emphasize

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Login using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

To read full story, subscribe to ET Prime

₹34 per week

Billed annually at ₹2499 ₹1749

Super Saver Sale - Flat 30% Off

On ET Prime Membership

Unlock this story and enjoy all members-only benefits.

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Freedom Offer

Get flat 20% off on ETPrime

90 Days Prime access worth Rs999 unlocked for you

essay word emphasize

Exclusive Economic Times Stories, Editorials & Expert opinion across 20+ sectors

Stock analysis. Market Research. Industry Trends on 4000+ Stocks

​Get 1 Year Complimentary Subscription of TOI+ worth Rs.799/-​

Stories you might be interested in

essay word emphasize

Democracy challenged

‘A Crisis Coming’: The Twin Threats to American Democracy

Credit... Photo illustration by Matt Chase

Supported by

  • Share full article

David Leonhardt

By David Leonhardt

David Leonhardt is a senior writer at The Times who won the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Great Recession.

  • Published Sept. 17, 2022 Updated June 21, 2023

Listen to This Article

The United States has experienced deep political turmoil several times before over the past century. The Great Depression caused Americans to doubt the country’s economic system. World War II and the Cold War presented threats from global totalitarian movements. The 1960s and ’70s were marred by assassinations, riots, a losing war and a disgraced president.

These earlier periods were each more alarming in some ways than anything that has happened in the United States recently. Yet during each of those previous times of tumult, the basic dynamics of American democracy held firm. Candidates who won the most votes were able to take power and attempt to address the country’s problems.

The current period is different. As a result, the United States today finds itself in a situation with little historical precedent. American democracy is facing two distinct threats, which together represent the most serious challenge to the country’s governing ideals in decades.

The first threat is acute: a growing movement inside one of the country’s two major parties — the Republican Party — to refuse to accept defeat in an election.

The violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Congress , meant to prevent the certification of President Biden’s election, was the clearest manifestation of this movement, but it has continued since then. Hundreds of elected Republican officials around the country falsely claim that the 2020 election was rigged. Some of them are running for statewide offices that would oversee future elections, potentially putting them in position to overturn an election in 2024 or beyond.

“There is the possibility, for the first time in American history, that a legitimately elected president will not be able to take office,” said Yascha Mounk, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University who studies democracy.

Vote Margins by State in Presidential Elections since 1988

Senate representation by state.

Residents of less populated states like Wyoming and North Dakota, who are disproportionately white, have outsize influence.

essay word emphasize

1 voter in Wyoming

has similar representation as

1 voter in North Dakota

6 voters in Connecticut

7 voters in Alabama

18 voters in Michigan

59 voters in California

essay word emphasize

has similar

representation as

Landslides in 2020 House Elections

There were about twice as many districts where a Democratic House candidate won by at least 50 percentage points as there were districts where a Republican candidate won by as much.

essay word emphasize

Landslide (one candidate won

by at least 50 percentage points)

Barbara Lee

Calif. District 13

Jerry Nadler

N.Y. District 10

Diana DeGette

Colo. District 1

Donald Payne Jr.

N.J. District 10

Jesús García

Ill. District 4

essay word emphasize

Landslide (one candidate won by at least 50 percentage points)

Presidential Appointments of Supreme Court Justices

essay word emphasize

Supreme Court appointments

Presidential election winners

Popular vote

Electoral College

Party that nominated a justice

David H. Souter (until 2009)

Clarence Thomas

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (until 2020)

Stephen G. Breyer (until 2022)

John G. Roberts Jr.

Samuel A. Alito Jr.

Sonia Sotomayor

Elena Kagan

Neil M. Gorsuch

Brett M. Kavanaugh

Amy Coney Barrett

Ketanji Brown Jackson

essay word emphasize

Supreme Court

Presidential election

nominated a justice

Souter (until 2009)

Ginsburg (until 2020)

Breyer (until 2022)

State Legislators and Election Lies

The share of Republican state legislators who have taken steps, as of May 2022, to discredit or overturn the 2020 presidential election results

essay word emphasize

Pennsylvania

essay word emphasize

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Advertisement

IMAGES

  1. Linking words for emphasis and conclusion

    essay word emphasize

  2. Phrases that can help you emphasize a point, persuade your audience, or

    essay word emphasize

  3. Emphasizing •As a matter of fact •In fact •Indeed Condition •If •Unless

    essay word emphasize

  4. English Linking Words for Writing Essay Emphasizing Reformulating •As a

    essay word emphasize

  5. How to Describe Words Being Emphasized

    essay word emphasize

  6. LINKING WORDS in English

    essay word emphasize

COMMENTS

  1. How to Put Emphasis on a Word in Your Essay: Tips and Tricks

    Step 1: Use Bold or Italics. The first and most common way to put emphasis on a word is to make it bold or italic. When you make a word bold, it stands out visually, which naturally draws the reader's eye to it. Italics, on the other hand, tend to suggest a softer kind of emphasis. They're perfect for when you want to highlight a term ...

  2. EMPHASIZE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

    Synonyms for EMPHASIZE: highlight, feature, stress, punctuate, identify, accentuate, point (up), accent; Antonyms of EMPHASIZE: tone (down), play down, understate ...

  3. 49 Synonyms & Antonyms for EMPHASIZE

    Find 49 different ways to say EMPHASIZE, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

  4. Emphasize Synonyms & Antonyms: List of 30+

    In an essay, you need to show how each point you make backs up that argument. One way to do this is by using transition words to link the points in your essay and show how they build on one another. Words like "consequently", "therefore", and "as a result" emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship between two points.

  5. Eight Synonyms for Emphasize

    Here, emphasize signals to the reader the specific aspects of the research or study that are particularly significant and/or will be discussed in more detail in a later section. Synonyms for Emphasize. To avoid overusing emphasize in your writing, consider these synonyms instead: Underline (He underlined the importance of reviewing the results.) Underscore (The experimental results serve to ...

  6. How to Show Emphasis in Writing

    An em dash can be used in the middle of a sentence—like this— or at the end as in the previous example. A colon can be used similarly, but only at the end of the sentence. Both em dashes and colons are useful in formal and informal writing, but, again, a little goes a long way. The dash in particular gets overused.

  7. How Do I Show Emphasis in a Sentence

    Emphasis through strategic word or clause placement. When your aim is to point the reader toward key facts and phrases, using introductory adverbs and adverb phrases can be very effective. Some examples of these are especially, particularly, most importantly, and above all. Other adverbs work well in the introductory position too.

  8. How to Emphasize a Word in an Essay

    Other ways to achieve emphasis. Use a question after series of statements. Place subordinate clause in front of main clause. Include short sentences (using variety sentences makes text seem choppy, but including them from time to time keeps readers' attention and emphasizes particular part of text) Use contrasting words or phrases.

  9. Words To Use In Essays: Amplifying Your Academic Writing

    Here are some examples of strong verbs commonly used in academic writing: Analyze: Examine in detail to understand the components or structure. Critique: Assess or evaluate the strengths and weaknesses. Demonstrate: Show the evidence to support a claim or argument. Illuminate: Clarify or make something clearer.

  10. EMPHASIZE Synonyms

    Synonyms for EMPHASIZE in English: highlight, stress, insist, underline, draw attention to, flag up, dwell on, underscore, weight, play up, …

  11. Visual-Textual Devices for Achieving Emphasis

    Still, especially for academic writing, italics or underlining is the preferred way to emphasize words or phrases when necessary. Writers usually choose one or the other method and use it consistently throughout an individual essay. In the final, published version of an article or book, italics are usually used.

  12. 3 Ways to Emphasize a Word

    2. Pause before the word you want to emphasize. If you want to emphasize a word in a speech, make a short pause just before introducing the term. This will grab your audience's attention, indicating important information is coming. Pause for a few seconds in your sentence just before introducing the important word.

  13. EMPHASIZE

    EMPHASIZE - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus

  14. What is another word for emphasize

    place too much emphasis on. blow up out of proportion. draw the long bow. magnify importance. emphasize too much. augment. extend. swell. escalate.

  15. Transition Words & Phrases

    Examples / Support / Emphasis. These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, ... Usage of Transition Words in Essays. Transition words and phrases are vital devices for essays, papers or other literary compositions. They improve the connections and transitions between sentences and paragraphs.

  16. Transition Words & Phrases

    Example sentence. Transition words and phrases. Addition. We found that the mixture was effective. Moreover, it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both x and y, not only x but also y, besides x, in fact. Introduction.

  17. 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

    4. That is to say. Usage: "That is" and "that is to say" can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: "Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.". 5. To that end. Usage: Use "to that end" or "to this end" in a similar way to "in order to" or "so".

  18. 49 Synonyms & Antonyms for EMPHASIZES

    Find 49 different ways to say EMPHASIZES, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

  19. Formatting for Emphasis (From Italics to ALL-CAPS)

    Formatting for Emphasis. In this post, we'll be looking at four ways to format emphasis in Microsoft Word: italics, bold, underlining, and all-caps. We'll also look at why you shouldn't use quote marks for emphasis. 1. Italics. In formal writing, italics are the best way to emphasize text. This includes most business writing and academic ...

  20. EMPHASIZE Definition & Meaning

    Emphasize definition: to give emphasis to; lay stress upon; stress. See examples of EMPHASIZE used in a sentence.

  21. 63 Transition words for emphasis of important points

    Remembering that…. Keeping in mind that…. You may recall…. We must keep in mind that…. It's important to realize that…. A point often overlooked is…. May I point out that…. Here are some example sentences using these transition words for emphasis: You may recall that last year our profit margin was minus six percent.

  22. Synonyms of EMPHASIZE

    Synonyms of 'emphasize' in American English. emphasize (verb) in the sense of stress. Synonyms. stress . accentuate . dwell on . give priority to . highlight . lay stress on . play up . press home . ... or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs. February 13, 2020 Read more Updating ...

  23. 28 Synonyms & Antonyms for EMPHASIS

    Find 28 different ways to say EMPHASIS, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

  24. How to Use Transitions to Start a Paragraph [Tips with Examples]

    Let's explore five important categories of transition words for essays and how you can use them effectively in your essays, reports, and research papers. Transition Words. 1. Addition and Emphasis. When you're building your argument or explaining complex ideas, addition and emphasis transition words are invaluable.

  25. Best Transition Words for Essays

    The right transition word can also help you clarify your points or add emphasis. Often, it just takes a single word to change the meaning of your sentence and add some emphasis. For example: Indeed; In fact; Certainly; Undoubtedly; Clearly; ... Using transition words in essays is crucial for creating a smooth and coherent flow of ideas. These ...

  26. College student who used the n-word 200 times in drunken attack on

    College student who used the n-word 200 times in drunken attack on Black classmate faces jail after pleading guilty. Rosing agreed to make a guilty plea after sitting for a mediation session with ...

  27. 15 August Celebration: Essay on Independence Day for students and ...

    When there are few words, don't emphasize any points. Write a generic essay. ... Essay on Independence Day (150 words) India gained its independence on August 15, 1947, and since then, the country ...

  28. Independence Day 2024: Simple essay writing tips and samples for school

    Consider the Essay Structure: Begin by outlining the word count and organizing the essay into clear, concise paragraphs. Gather Information: Research the history and significance of Independence Day and decide on the order in which to present the information. Start with the Basics: Begin by explaining the origins of Independence Day and how it is celebrated at home or in school.

  29. 'A Crisis Coming': The Twin Threats to American Democracy

    The United States faces two distinct challenges, the movement by Republicans who refuse to accept defeat in an election and a growing disconnect between political power and public opinion.

  30. Exclusive

    There's a Tool to Catch Students Cheating With ChatGPT. OpenAI Hasn't Released It. Technology that can detect text written by artificial intelligence with 99.9% certainty has been debated ...