Linking words for writing (H4)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Linking words

Linking words are very important to use in your writing. Without them, your text becomes less logical and more difficult to follow.

The aim of this LessonUp is to make you more aware of them, and to invite you to use them more often.

Linking words: 'voegwoorden'

Voegwoorden, linking words, zijn heel belangrijk voor de structuur van zinnen. Voegwoorden leggen verband tussen de verschillende delen in een zin. Je maakt als het ware van twee losse zinnen één. Waarbij de beschrijving meer context krijgt. Oftewel, wat er staat wordt duidelijker. 

• Je schept orde, volgorde in de tekst : time / sequence
• Je geeft een extra illustratie / voorbeeld : illustration
• Je voegt nog iets toe : additions
• Iets benadrukken: emphasis
• Je kunt ook tegenstellingen aangeven: contrast
• en oorzaak en gevolg aangeven : cause-and-effect

Example:

Here's an example of a paragraph without linking words, based on the essay assignment about dropping out of school:

Body paragraph, no linking words:

"Why do teenagers quit school? School is not always necessary to get a job. What if you are pregnant? Lessons are boring, and sometimes kids have a difficult situation at home."

(Actually, there is 1 linking word here. Which one?)

On the next slide you'll see this paragraph rewritten, this time with linking words. See if you can spot them:

Paragraph with linking words:

"Why do teenagers quit school? There can be multiple reasons for that. Firstly, not all jobs require a high school diploma. For example, when you are young you can already start working at a shop or a restaurant, even if you have not finished school. Secondly, someone might be in a difficult situation such as a pregnancy. This can make it very hard to continue with school. Another reason could be problems at home that make it hard to concentrate."

What linking words do you see?

Paragraph with linking words:

Why do teenagers quit school? There can be multiple reasons for that. Firstly, not all jobs require a high school diploma. For example, when you are young you can already start working at a shop or a restaurant, even if you have not finished school. Secondly, someone might be in a difficult situation such as a pregnancy. This can make it very hard to continue with school. Another reason could be problems at home that make it hard to concentrate.

Dit waren allemaal linking words om dingen toe te voegen aan een lijst, en om voorbeelden te geven. Allemaal heel handig bij het schrijven van essays. Maar je hebt er nog veel meer.

Hier volgt een kort overzicht van linking words die je kunt gebruiken in je schrijfopdrachten:

Dit waren allemaal linking words om dingen toe te voegen aan een lijst. Maar je hebt er nog veel meer.

Hier volgt een kort overzicht van linking words die je kunt gebruiken in je schrijfopdrachten:

1. Listing ideas: firstly / secondly / thirdly / finally

2. Adding supporting ideas: in addition / and / not only … but also / furthermore / moreover / besides / Another

3. Introducing a contrasting idea: however / although / despite / while / whereas / but / on the other hand

4. Giving examples: such as / to illustrate this / for example

5. Giving an explanation: in other words / because / because of

6. Conclusion: to summarise / in conclusion / all in all

Dit waren allemaal linking words om dingen toe te voegen aan een lijst. Maar je hebt er nog veel meer.

Hier volgt een kort overzicht van linking words die je kunt gebruiken in je schrijfopdrachten:

Now, let's practise and see how well you can use linking words already:

1. I'm awesome at maths, ______ my brother really sucks at it.

1. because
2. but
3. since
4. therefore

2. ____ the bus was late, we still made it in time for school.

1. finally
2. because
3. even though
4. furthermore

3. Have you ever been abroad? _____, to Spain, France or Germany?

1. However
2. In conclusion
3. For instance
4. Previously

4. _____ we stayed up late yesterday,
I didn't feel tired at all this morning.

1. Despite the fact that
2. Despite
3. In spite
4. In spite of

5. There was a lot of stress beforehand, but ______ everything turned out fine.

1. however,
2. namely,
3. all in all ,
4. whereas,

6. Can't you see? This is ____ the wrong dress! It's a completely different colour!

1. similarly
2. previously
3. consequently
4. clearly

7. I live in a really small town, ____ my nephew lives in a big city.

1. on the contrary
2. as a result
3. whereas
4. in order to

8. I think Anna should be here by now, ____ she was stuck in traffic?

1. equally
2. moreover
3. therefore
4. unless

9. If you want to pass your test you should study. ____, you should also ask more questions and check your work.

1. Moreover
2. Previously
3. Despite
4. With regard to

10. I think Larry is the worst baseball player ever. _____ he should be taken off the team.

1. While
2. Therefore
3. Even though
4. Including

Fill in the correct linking word:
Climates are changing ______ global warming.

1. in spite of
2. as a result of
3. in order to
4. although

Fill in the correct linking word:
He could read and write
______ being blind.

1. despite
2. as a result of
3. although
4. besides

Fill in the correct linking word:
They lost the match ______ poor physical preparation.

1. despite
2. after
3. because of
4. even though

Denk je dat het zal lukken om meer van deze linking words te gaan gebruiken?

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