Hi my name's Gaby and today I'm going to be talking to you about using
appropriate academic linking words and phrases to connect ideas in a piece of
academic writing.
We use linking words to link ideas. For example,
I like coffee, and I like tea.
How many ideas do I have in that sentence? Yeah two.
And how have I linked those ideas? Yes with and. And is
very useful.
We can use it to link one idea with another idea in a sentence.
Here is an academic sentence.
Coffee has become popular in Australia since the 1960s. In addition,
tea has been popular in Australia since the 19th century.
What words have I used to link the first idea about coffee with the second
idea about tea?
That's right. In addition. This time,
one sentence is one idea.
I have connected or joined the two ideas together with an
academic linker.
What is the difference between and and in addition?
Is it that a) the meaning is different or b)
one is formal and one is informal. Yes,
it's b).
The meaning is not different but in addition is more formal and academic. Using
formal academic linkers like in addition,
instead of and helps our writing sound more formal and academic-like.
When we write academically, we need to write in a formal style.
It's important to use a formal style when you're writing at university.
But what is the difference between formal and informal language?
Let's take a look at that first.
We use formal and informal language in English.
This sentence for example, is formal.
Online learning tends to be used at universities.
In addition, laptops are convenient for students.
This sentence is informal.
Online learning is what we do at uni and laptops are
handy. What's the difference between the two sentences?
Can you see what we changed?
What we do has been changed to be used.
We've added tends to to make the sentence more tentative.
Uni has been changed to universities.
Handy has been changed to convenient.
And finally,
and has been changed to in addition. The
meaning of the sentence has not changed, but the formality of the language has.
There are other academic linkers we can use to link ideas.
Additionally, moreover and furthermore.
Let's look at some examples. Online learning is popular at universities.
In addition, laptops are convenient for students. Online
learning is popular at universities. Additionally,
laptops are convenient for students. Online
learning is popular at universities. Moreover,
laptops are convenient for students. Online
learning is popular at universities. Furthermore,
laptops are convenient for students.
Let's take a look at this table here.
Here are some ideas about technology and learning.
We're going to combine them to make our own academic sentences with academic
linking.
We can do the same for other sentences using the academic linking words we have
just learned. Let's give it a go.
University students can access library materials online.
Additionally,
academic journal articles can be downloaded in PDF format.
You can see that the two ideas have been joined by additionally.
This links them. Reading
materials are usually available on PDF. In addition,
the reading materials are found on digital platforms. Here
the two ideas have been joined by in addition. Plagiarism
software is used to ensure academic integrity. Moreover,
plagiarism software, analyses student work when it's submitted to the faculty.
The
academic linking word here is moreover.
And finally, we have:
Teachers now give students on digital platforms.
Furthermore, lectures sometimes record their spoken feedback on sound files.
You probably spotted the academic linker. That's right. It's furthermore.
Now let's look at what not to do. I'm going to show you two sentences here.
What do you think is the problem with these two sentences?
That's right.
Using and to link ideas in a paragraph is not academic style.
Also remember and is not a paragraph linker.
It's for linking ideas within a sentence. Use
a variety of academic linkers in your academic writing but make sure you know
the meanings. When you're reading,
make a note of the linkers writers use by writing them down in your vocabulary
book so that you can use them in your own writing.
Thank you for joining me today.
I hope you're ready to use academic linking words to make your a writing more
interesting and precise.