The Pivotal Words

The Pivotal Words

©Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001

No words are as helpful while reading as the prepositions and conjunctions that guide your mind along the pathways of the author's ideas. A word like furthermore says, "Keep going!" However says, "Easy!" Master these words and phrases and you will almost immediately become a better reader, for they will whisper directions in your inner ear.

Additive words

          These say, "Here's more of the same coming up. It's just as important as what we have already said."

                   also                      further                           moreover

                   and                      furthermore                  too

                   besides               in addition

Equivalent words

          They say, "It does what I have just said, but it does this too."

                   as well as            at the same time similarly

                   Equally important         likewise

Amplification words

          The author is saying, "I want to be sure that you understand my idea; so here's a specific instance."

                   for example(e.g.)         specifically                   as

                   for instance                  such as               like

Alternative words

          These point out, "Sometimes there is a choice; other times there isn't."

                   either/or               other than

                   neither/nor          otherwise

Repetitive words

          They say, "I said it once, but I'm going to say it again in case you missed it the first time."

                   again                             in other words

                   to repeat              that is(i.e.)

Contrast and change words

          "So far I've given you only one side of the story; now let's take a look at the other side."

                   but                       on the contrary   still

                   Conversely         (opposite) on the other hand        though      

                   despite                          instead of            yet

                   however              rather than          regardless

                   nevertheless                even though                 whereas(comparison with the fact)

                   in spite of            notwithstanding

Cause and effect words

          "All this has happened; now I'll tell you why."

                   accordingly                   since                    then

                   because              so                         thus

                   consequently               hence                            therefore

                   for this reason

Qualifying words

          These say, "Here is what we can expect. These are the conditions we are working under."

                   if                           although              unless

                   providing             whenever           

Concession words

          They say, "Okay! We agree on this much."

                   accepting the data       granted that                  of course

Emphasizing words

          They say, "Wake up and take notice!"

                   above all             more important   indeed

Order words

          The author is saying, "You keep your mind on reading: I'll keep the numbers straight."

                   finally                            second                          then

                   first                       next                     last

Time words      

          "Let's keep the record straight on who said what and especially when."

                   afterwards           meanwhile          now

                   before                           subsequently               presently  

                   formerly               ultimately             previously

                   later

Summarizing words

          These say, "We've said many things so far. Let's stop here and pull them together."

                   for these reasons        in brief

                   in conclusion                to sum up

©Academic Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001