Organizing a formal text
Linking ideas. Organizing a formal text. Study the words and expressions used to link ideas.
First / Firstly / First of all, we must consider …
I should like to preface my argument with a true story.
Next, it is important to remember that …
Secondly and thirdly are also used with first/firstly for lists.
Finally/Lastly, we should recall that … [not ‘at last’]
The text alludes to several themes that need closer examination. [quoting/referring]
Turning to the question of foreign policy, … [changing to a new topic]
Leaving aside the question of pollution, there are also other reasons … [the writer will not deal with that question here]
In parenthesis, let us not forget that … [making a point that is a side issue, not part of the main argument]
In summary, to sum up, we may state that … [listing / summing up the main points]
In sum, the economic issues are at the centre of this debate. [listing / summing up the main points: much more formal]
In conclusion / to conclude, I should like to point out that …[finishing the text, talk]
We are forced to conclude that unemployment will always be with us.
Markers for explaining, exemplifying, rephrasing, etc.
To learn new words properly a lot of recycling is needed; in other words / that is to say, you have to study the same words over and over again. [That is to say is much more formal]
Some English words are hard to pronounce, for example / for instance, ‘eighth’.
The Parliament has different committees. Briefly, these consist of two main types. [the explanation will be short and not comprehensive]
She is, so to speak / as it were, living in a world of her own. [makes what you are saying sound less definite/precise; As is were is more formal.]
Addition. Study the examples of adding words and phrases.
Further to my letter of 18/9/01, I am writing to you … [formal opening for a letter]
In addition to winning the gold medal, she also broke the world record.
In addition to his BA in History, he has a PhD in Sociology.
He’s on the school board, as well as being a local councilor.
Besides / Apart from having a salary, he also has a private income.
Apart from her many other hobbies, she restores old racing cars.
They sell chairs, tables, beds, and so on / etc. [and so on is more informal than etc.]
Cause, reason, purpose and result. Study the examples of words and phrases used to introduce cause, reason, purpose and result.
Owing to the icy conditions, the two lorries collided. [rather informal]
Owing to the fact that the conditions were icy …
The collision was due to the icy conditions.
The collision was caused by the ice on the road.
The cause of the collision was ice on the road.
Here are some other cause words in typical contexts. They are all rather formal, and more suitable for written use.
The rise in prices sparked (off) a lot of political protest. [often used for very strong, perhaps violent reactions to events]
The President’s statement gave rise to / provoked / generated a lot of criticism. [slightly less strong than spark (off)]
The new law had brought about / led to great changes in education. [often used for political / social change]
The problem stems from the inflation of recent years. [explaining the direct origin of events and states]
The court-case arose from / out of allegations made in a newspaper. [the allegations started the process that led to the court-case]
Categorising and including. Study expressions used for categorising and including.
Japanese visitors comprised/made up 70 % of the hotel’s guests last year. [70 % consisted of]
The course is comprised of two elements: reading and writing. [is composed of]
These two approaches can be subsumed under one heading. [brought together / united]
The book embraces a number of issues, from the economic to religious ones. [covers / includes]
Her philosophy is difficult to categorise. [label as belonging to a particular type or class]