Essay Paragraph Transitions
PURPOSE
To clarify a sequence of events
To show a similar relationship
To point out a dissimilarity
To emphasize a point
To show or point out a result
To summarize a position
To illustrate a point
To contrast a position
To record time
TRANSITIONAL PHRASES
first, second, third, next, finally, last
similarly, in like manner, likewise
in opposition to, in contrast to, on the other hand
indeed, in fact, surely, certainly
consequently, as a result, therefore, hence
in summation, finally, in conclusion, in short
for example, by way of illustration, for instance
on the other hand, however, but, yet, despite, although
gradually, later, eventually, immediately, at once, at this point, next
Improving Vocabulary for DBQ’s: Using Synonyms for ‘Said’
SYNONYM
added
continued
stated
announced
asserted
commented
declared
observed
remarked
reported
to embellish or enhance an argument
to further an earlier point
to say, usually confined to quotes or paraphrases from documents, or to official statements
to declare publicly or formally
to state positively, with great confidence but no objective proof
to make a remark to explain, interpret, or criticize
to make known clearly and openly
to mention casually
to make a brief, casual statement of opinion
to give an account of; to carry a message; to give a formal statement
SYNONYM
acknowledged
admitted
affirmed
alleged
avowed
conceded
confessed
disclosed
divulged
revealed
DEFINITION
implies reluctant disclosure of something that might have been a secret
implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and usually refers to facts
implies deep conviction and unlikelihood of contradiction
to assert or declare, especially without proof
implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility
similar to acknowledge and admit
may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt
to reveal something previously concealed
to reveal something that should have remained a secret, implies a breach of confidence
to make something known that had been secret or hidden
SYNONYM
begged
demanded
implored
insisted
pleaded
DEFINITION
DEFINITION
to ask in a humble or earnest manner
to ask for boldly or urgently
to ask with great fervor, implying desperation or great distress
to demand strongly, to declare firmly
to answer a legal charge, to offer as an excuse or defense, to implore or beg
SYNONYM
answered
explained
rejoined
replied
responded
retorted
returned
DEFINITION
to respond to a question
to make an explanation
to answer an objection
to answer a question or comment
to reply to a question or comment
to reply to a charge or criticism in a sharp, witty way
to reply to a charge or criticism in a sharp, witty way; to answer an objection
SYNONYM
contended
emphasized
exclaimed
maintained
proclaimed
proposed
DEFINITION
to argue or dispute
to stress
to speak suddenly or vehemently
to assert, to support by argument, to affirm
to announce officially
to se forth a design or plan
SYNONYM
DEFINITION
hinted
implies slight or remote suggestion
implied
similar to suggest, but may indicate a more definite relation of the unexpressed to the
expressed
insinuated refers to conveying a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner
intimated
stresses delicacy of suggestion
suggested
to propose as a possibility, to convey indirectly by putting an idea into the mind by
association
SYNONYM
barked
bellowed
cried
croaked
declaimed
drawled
joked
mumbled
muttered
roared
scolded
shouted
shrieked
wailed
whispered
DEFINITION
to speak or shout sharply
to roar, to cry out loudly in anger or fear
to call for help, to shout, to sob, to weep
to make a sound like a frog or raven, to talk dismally
to speak in a pompous way or deliver a tirade
to speak in a way that prolongs the vowels
to make a joke
to utter inarticulate or almost inaudible sounds
to speak angry or discontented words in a low, indistinct voice
to utter a loud, deep sound
to find fault with angrily
to make a loud cry or call
to make a loud, piercing cry or sound
to express grief or pain through long, loud cries
to speak softly, especially to avoid being overheard
Improved Vocabulary for Comparative Essays
Descriptive Verbs
Asserts
Compliments
Criticizes
Demonstrates
Embraces
Exemplifies
Illustrates
Indicates
Portrays
Reflects
Reveals
Signifies
Strengthens
Symbolizes
Undermines
Compare
Agree
Also
As well
Both/all
In addition
In common
In comparison
Shares the view
Similarity
Too
Similarly
Comparable
Worthy of
Parallel
Analogous
Correlative
Equal
Corresponding
Commensurable
Contrast
Conversely
Differently
Disagree
However
In contrast
None/either
On the other hand
Unlike
Whereas
Otherwise
Dissimilar
Distinct
Oppose
Variation
Divergent
Distinctive
Contrary
Disparity
Peculiarly
Although