Materi Pengayaan Minggu 5

Topic Sentence and Signposting of
Argumentative Essay
What is signposting?
It’s the way you signal the path you have taken
though an assignment.
In other words, it’s the information you give about

what topics are going to be covered, the order in
which they come and the angle or focus of the
discussion or argument.
There are two types of signposting:
1. Major signposts – these are the words and

phrases that tell your reader the purpose,
structure, your position, main points, direction of
the argument and signal your conclusion.
Writing a really strong clear introduction is very
helpful.
This is where you have a chance to identify the key

themes of your discussion, your main argument and
focus.
You can also indicate something about the order of

the subject matter.
In your introduction. you also:
• show that you are going to answer the question

• show that you understand the issues and their
implications
• indicate the structure of your answer and make
clear the main areas that you are going to write
about
• show evidence that you have carried out some
research by making a reference to one of your
sources
If you are writing a report, then you are usually
expected to write a summary and include a contents
page.
The headings and subheadings also give a good

indication of the order of your work. Click the link for
more help on writing reports.
The art of signposting is using key words and

phrases to enable the reader to navigate their way
through your argument.
Here are some signposting words which will prove

invaluable in that process. You may have your own
favourites.
2. Linking words and phrases – use these to
connect your sentences and paragraphs, showing
the ‘route’ through your work.
Showing cause and effect: accordingly, as a result,

consequently, for that reason, for this purpose,
hence, therefore, etc.
Placing ideas in time:
again, at first, at least, at length, at once, at that

time, at the same time, concurrently, during this
time, earlier, eventually, finally, first, second, third,
etc.
Summarising ideas:
all in all, altogether, as has been noted, finally, in

brief, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in
simpler terms, in summary, etc.
Signposting Essay Conclusions
Try some of these:
The aim of this study is to …; The purpose of this

thesis is to …; This essay argues that …;
The main questions addressed in this paper are …;
This essay critically examines …;
The above discussion raises some interesting
questions.
This paper begins by … It will then go on to ...
Finally, …This chapter reviews the literature …In
conclusion, …
Adding
also, and, as well (as); besides; furthermore;

in addition; similarly
Building on the last section
having established that; if so; in order to; in

that/this case; in this connection; moreover;
so; that/which implies; then
Concluding
in conclusion; in summary; to conclude; to

recap; to summarize
Contrast
all the same; by way of contrast; conversely;

despite that; however; in contrast; instead;
never the less; none the less; on the other
hand
Examples
as an illustration; exemplifying this; for

example; for instance
Giving reasons
because; because of; due to; for this reason;

therefore
List
firstly, secondly, … finally; first and foremost;

most importantly
Refining
effectively, this suggests; in essence; more

precisely; more specifically;
to make this explicit
Reformulating an idea
again; alternatively/an alternative is; in other

words; on the other hand; or; rather; that is
Result
accordingly; as a result; consequently; for this

reason; hence; so; then; therefore
What is actually signposting?
A good way to make your presentations /
essay effective, interesting and easy to follow
is to use signpost language.
'Signpost language' is the words and phrases

that people use to tell the listener/reader
what has just happened, and what is going to
happen next.
In other words, signpost language guides the
listener/reader through the presentation/essay.
A good presenter/writer will usually use a lot of

signpost language, so it is a good idea to learn a
few of the common phrases, even if you spend
more time listening to presentations than giving
them.
Signpost language is usually fairly informal, so it is

relatively easy to understand.
Signposting sentences
What are signposting sentences?
Signposting sentences explain the logic of your

argument.
They tell the reader what you are going to do at key

points in your assignment.
They are most useful when used in the following

places:
In the introduction
At the beginning of a paragraph which develops a

new idea
At the beginning of a paragraph which expands on

a previous idea
At the beginning of a paragraph which offers a

contrasting viewpoint
At the end of a paragraph to sum up an idea

In the conclusion
You may also wish to add your own sentence stems
to the list below:
Signposting stems for an introduction
To understand the role of ... (your topic) this essay

aims to provide a discussion of ... (the ideas you will
develop)
This essay seeks to
investigate/evaluate/illustrate/discuss the impact

of ... (your topic) in relation to ... (the ideas you will
develop)
Firstly, this assignment examines ... (your topic)
and its links with ... (your first idea) Next, it closely
examines ... in relation to ... (your next idea)
Finally, it focuses on ... and how this affects ...(your
next idea)
Signposting stems for a paragraph which introduces
or develops a new idea
One aspect which illustrates ... (your topic) can be

identified as ... (the idea you want to develop)
The current debate about ... (your topic) identifies
an interesting viewpoint on ...(the idea you want to
develop)
This first/next/ final section provides a general
discussion of ...(the idea you want to develop)
Signposting stems for a paragraph which expands

upon a previous idea
Building on from the idea that ... (mention previous

idea), this section illustrates that ... (introduce your
new idea).
Thank you for your attention

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Topic Sentence and Signposting of

In other words, it’s the information you give about

1. Major signposts – these are the words and

This is where you have a chance to identify the key

You can also indicate something about the order of

• show that you are going to answer the question

The headings and subheadings also give a good

The art of signposting is using key words and

Here are some signposting words which will prove

Showing cause and effect: accordingly, as a result,

again, at first, at least, at length, at once, at that

all in all, altogether, as has been noted, finally, in

Try some of these:

The aim of this study is to …; The purpose of this

also, and, as well (as); besides; furthermore;

Building on the last section

having established that; if so; in order to; in

in conclusion; in summary; to conclude; to

all the same; by way of contrast; conversely;

as an illustration; exemplifying this; for

because; because of; due to; for this reason;

firstly, secondly, … finally; first and foremost;

effectively, this suggests; in essence; more

again; alternatively/an alternative is; in other

accordingly; as a result; consequently; for this

'Signpost language' is the words and phrases

A good presenter/writer will usually use a lot of

Signpost language is usually fairly informal, so it is

What are signposting sentences?

Signposting sentences explain the logic of your

They tell the reader what you are going to do at key

They are most useful when used in the following

At the beginning of a paragraph which develops a

At the beginning of a paragraph which expands on

At the beginning of a paragraph which offers a

At the end of a paragraph to sum up an idea

Signposting stems for an introduction

To understand the role of ... (your topic) this essay

This essay seeks to

investigate/evaluate/illustrate/discuss the impact

One aspect which illustrates ... (your topic) can be

Signposting stems for a paragraph which expands

Building on from the idea that ... (mention previous

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