Why use linking words? | Learning Lab Jump to Navigation Skip to content RMIT Australia RMIT Australia RMIT Europe RMIT Vietnam RMIT Global RMIT Online Students Alumni & Giving Staff Library Search Keywords Getting started at uni What will I do? What will I need? Who will help me? About the institution Study skills New to university? Studying efficiently Time management Mind mapping Note-taking Reading skills Argument analysis Preparing for assessment Critical thinking and argument analysis Online learning skills Starting my first assignment Researching your assignment Referencing What is referencing? Understanding citations When referencing isn't needed Quoting Paraphrasing Summarising Synthesising Integrating ideas with reporting words Referencing with Easy Cite Getting help with referencing Writing and assessments Acting with academic integrity Artificial intelligence tools Understanding your audience Writing for coursework Literature review Academic style Writing for the workplace Spelling tips Writing paragraphs Writing sentences Academic word lists Annotated bibliographies Artist statement Case studies Creating effective poster presentations Essays Essays, Reports, Reflective Writing Group work Law assessments Oral presentations Reflective writing Reports Subject areas Art and design Chemistry Critical thinking English Law Maths and statistics Nursing Physics Sustainability For educators Educators' guide Learning Lab content in context Latest updates Learning Lab . Getting started at uni Study skills Referencing Writing and assessments Subject areas For educators Getting started at uni What will I do? About the institution What will I need? Who will help me? Study skills Argument analysis Critical thinking Mind mapping Note-taking Online learning skills Preparing for assessment Reading skills Researching your assignment Starting my first assignment Studying efficiently Time management Referencing What is referencing? Understanding citations When referencing isn't needed Getting help with referencing Quoting Paraphrasing Summarising Synthesising Integrating ideas Referencing with Easy Cite Writing and assessments Academic style Academic word lists Acting with academic integrity Annotated bibliographies Artificial intelligence tools Case studies Critical reading Essays Group work Law assessments Literature review Oral presentations Poster presentations Postgraduate report writing Reflective writing Reports Spelling tips Writing for coursework Writing for the workplace Writing paragraphs Writing sentences Understanding your audience Subject areas Art and design Chemistry Critical thinking Law Maths and statistics Nursing Physics English Sustainability For educators Educators' guide Learning Lab content in context Latest updates Why use linking words? Develop cohesion Linking words are an important way of developing a logical flow of ideas. They act as signposts for the reader so they can follow the way the writer has organised their ideas. Example In the text below, notice how the writer uses linking words to develop the flow of their argument. Do teams in organisations need leaders? How and why the leader was selected also appears to affect the leader’s effectiveness. For example, Maxwell (2011) asserts that teams work better if they elect their own leader. However, Smith’s research (2010) shows that team leaders are mainly selected on a hierarchical basis. Furthermore, in most cases when leaders were not elected democratically, team members reported a lack of confidence in their leaders’ competence and knowledge. Linking words How and why the leader was selected also appears to affect the leader’s effectiveness. [linking word: For example], Maxwell (2011) asserts that teams work better if they elect their own leader. [linking word: However], Smith’s research (2010) shows that team leaders are mainly selected on a hierarchical basis. [linkin word: Furthermore], in most cases when leaders were not elected democratically, team members reported a lack of confidence in their leaders’ competence and knowledge. Show connections between the ideas Linking words enable the writer to show the connections between ideas. In the next example, notice how the use of linking words emphasises the writer’s analysis of their research. Example One factor within the team that seems to be important is the notion of team cohesiveness. Significantly, team cohesiveness enables a diverse group of individuals to work towards common goals. Maxwell (2011, p.107) argues that highly cohesive teams ‘have clear goals and successful outcomes’. For example, cohesive teams are more likely to work well together, have enthusiasm for their work (Brown 2009) and so achieve a high rate of success (Zheng & Hui 2008). Therefore, team cohesiveness has been shown to enhance team effectiveness. Linking words One factor within the team that seems to be important is the notion of team cohesiveness. [linking word: Significantly], team cohesiveness enables a diverse group of individuals to work towards common goals. Maxwell (2011, p.107) argues that highly cohesive teams ‘have clear goals and successful outcomes’. [linking word: For example], cohesive teams are more likely to work well together, have enthusiasm for their work (Brown 2009) and so achieve a high rate of success (Zheng & Hui 2008). [linking word: Therefore], team cohesiveness has been shown to enhance team effectiveness. Keywords: Linking words Academic writing Writing structures Home Writing and assessments Writing paragraphs Paragraph structure Paragraphs activity Topic sentences Why use linking words? Common linking words Cohesion Connect with the Ask the Library Service Still can't find what you need? The RMIT University Library provides study support, one-on-one consultations and peer mentoring to RMIT students. Facebook (opens in a new window) Twitter (opens in a new window) Instagram (opens in a new window) Linkedin (opens in a new window) YouTube (opens in a new window) Weibo (opens in a new window) Copyright © 2022 RMIT University | Terms | Privacy | Accessibility | Learning Lab feedback | Complaints | ABN 49 781 030 034 | CRICOS provider number: 00122A | RTO Code: 3046 | Open Universities Australia
