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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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Why Is Vocabulary Important (20 Reasons + Tips to Expand It)

You know when you try to tell someone how you feel or what you think, and you just can’t find the words? It can be such a drag. That’s where having a good set of words, or vocabulary, comes in handy.

A solid vocabulary helps us share ideas, learn new things, and even land our dream job. It’s more than just knowing many words; it’s about using them to open doors to new experiences and opportunities.

But why is expanding your vocabulary so important, and how can it affect your everyday life? Stick around because we’re about to dive into a world where words are the unsung heroes of our stories. Get ready to discover the power of vocabulary, one simple yet impactful word at a time.

Table of Contents

Vocabulary Aids in Conveying Thoughts Precisely

Vocabulary enriches conversation quality, vocabulary strengthens persuasion skills, vocabulary improves cognitive function, vocabulary increases comprehension while reading, vocabulary assists in career advancement, vocabulary enhances academic success, vocabulary fosters better listening skills, vocabulary magnifies the enjoyment of literature, vocabulary boosts creative writing flair, vocabulary encourages curiosity and learning, vocabulary nurtures confidence in debates, vocabulary enhances emotional expression, vocabulary facilitates clearer instruction giving, vocabulary helps in making informed decisions, vocabulary bridges communication gaps, vocabulary bolsters negotiating expertise, vocabulary is fundamental for effective leadership, vocabulary deepens understanding of cultural nuances, vocabulary facilitates social interactions, tips for expanding your vocabulary, frequently asked questions, final thoughts.

Imagine you’re at a job interview, and you’re asked to describe your strengths. Saying  “I’m good at things”  doesn’t pack the same punch as  “I’m proficient in strategic planning and effective team management.”  

The second response paints a clearer picture, doesn’t it? Vocabulary is like the paint you use to create an image in someone’s mind. The better your vocabulary, the more vivid the picture.

A rich vocabulary gives you the words to be specific, whether you’re giving instructions, expressing feelings, or presenting an argument. It helps you say exactly what you mean and avoid misunderstandings.

Engaging in conversation is like dancing—knowing more steps makes it more fun. Vocabulary does that for talking; it adds color, depth, and rhythm to your chats. 

When you have lots of words to pick from, you can say what you mean with a bit more finesse rather than just saying it straight up.

A diverse vocabulary:

• Keeps listeners hooked because you’re not repeating the same words.
• Allows you to connect with people of various backgrounds by appreciating and using a wider range of expressions and references.

Ever been moved by a powerful speech or convinced by a colleague’s compelling presentation? Chances are, it was their choice of words that swayed you. Convincing someone isn’t just about the facts; it’s about packaging them in a way that resonates.

With a solid vocabulary, you can:

• Express your points with confidence and clarity.
• Use emotionally charged words to create impact where needed.
• Choose terms that resonate with your audience, making your argument more persuasive.

For instance, being persuasive is a valuable asset, whether negotiating a contract, presenting a strategy, or leading a team. Having the right words at your disposal is like having the perfect tool for the job—it makes you look and feel more capable. 

Persuasion is often more effectual than force. – Aesop

Think of your brain as a supercomputer. Just like upgrading software makes a computer run better, improving your vocabulary boosts your brain’s performance. 

Words are the tools we use to think, categorize, and understand concepts. When you learn new words, you’re not just memorizing but also exercising your brain, keeping it sharp and flexible. 

Here’s the cool part:

• A strong vocabulary helps with memory retention, as learning new words creates new neural pathways.
• It’s also linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline. Yes, a good word stash might keep your mind fit as you age.

Ever read a passage and felt like you were deciphering an ancient script? I know I have! But here’s where vocabulary steps in to save the day. The more words you recognize, the less you’ll need to pause and look them up, and the smoother your reading experience will become. 

In professional development, understanding the material you read—whether it’s a technical paper, industry article, or even an email—without getting tripped up on unknown words is critical. It lets you absorb information quickly and efficiently, keeping you ahead of the curve. 

Now, let’s talk about moving up the ladder at work. We’ve all heard the phrase,  “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,”  but I’d argue it’s also  “how you express what you know.”  

For example, if you work in digital marketing, using terms like “ search engine optimization, ” ”  conversion rate, ” and “ pay-per-click advertising ” can accurately showcase your knowledge and make your suggestions more persuasive. 

Your vocabulary can be a key factor in whether you’re seen as a specialist or another team member. It can be the distinguishing feature that gets you that promotion or lands you a lead role on a new project. With the right words, you’re not just a participant in your field—you’re an authority.

When it comes to acing your studies, having a strong vocabulary is your secret weapon. It’s the difference between just grazing the surface and digging deep into the material you’re learning. 

Think about it:  if you understand the words used in lectures and textbooks, you grasp the concepts much more quickly. It’s like showing up to a football game already knowing the plays.

Students with a good grip on vocabulary tend to write better essays, participate more confidently in discussions, and generally perform well across all subjects.

Now, let’s shift from speaking and reading to listening. You might not realize it at first, but understanding a wide range of words greatly improves your ability to listen. It’s like tuning your radio to the right frequency—you start to pick up on signals you would have otherwise missed.

With a broad vocabulary:

• You catch subtle points in conversations and presentations.
• You can decipher complex discussions, even when you’re not familiar with every detail.
• You become more empathetic as a listener, understanding not just the words but the emotions and intentions behind them.

By improving your vocabulary, conversations become less about waiting for your turn to talk and more about truly hearing what’s being said. 

Good listeners, like precious gems, are to be treasured. — Walter Anderson

Have you ever lost yourself in a book so much that you forgot the world around you? A well-stocked vocabulary can transform reading from a simple pastime into a thrilling adventure. With each new word you understand, you unlock a new level of appreciation for the author’s craft. 

When you read with a rich vocabulary:

• You savor the nuances of each sentence and the clever use of language.
• Characters become more real, and their experiences more relatable.

For instance, when reading a classic like “Pride and Prejudice,” understanding words like “ satirical, ” “ taciturn, ” and “ supercilious ” allows you to appreciate Jane Austen’s intricate character portrayals and the subtle humor woven throughout her narrative.

If you’ve ever tried writing, you know the right words can make your story soar. They’re the building blocks of your narrative, the spices in your storytelling stew. Think of vocabulary as your toolkit for crafting precise imagery, compelling dialogue, and memorable characters.

A strong vocabulary allows you to:

• Paint more vivid pictures with your words—the kind that sticks with the reader long after they’ve turned the page.
• Experiment with language, playing with rhythm and flow to make your prose or poetry sing.

For example, you’re writing a story about a sunset. Instead of saying, “ The sun went down, ” imagine describing it as “ the horizon swallowed the sun, and the sky erupted in hues of amber and indigo. ” That’s the magic of vocabulary—it transforms the mundane into the extraordinary.

A bountiful vocabulary opens doors to new worlds— literally . Think of every new word as a portal to a previously unexplored realm of knowledge. 

With every term or phrase you master, a spark of curiosity ignites, leading you to questions you might not have previously considered. It keeps the journey of discovery vibrant and ongoing.

This innate curiosity driven by vocabulary leads to:

• Seeking out new experiences and knowledge.
• The joy of learning for its own sake rather than just as a means to an end.
• A more well-rounded perspective on the world and your place in it.

The realm of debate is where vocabulary truly flexes its muscles. Armed with an expansive dictionary, you step into discussions with quiet confidence. You’ve got the perfect words loaded, ready to clearly express your viewpoints and dismantle opposing arguments.

Good debaters leverage their vocabulary to:

• Present their ideas with authority and persuasive power.
• Respond to counterpoints with suitable rebuttals and concise conclusions.
• Engage the audience or judges, drawing them into the narrative being woven.

In a debate, your words are your weapons, and a greater vocabulary means a better-armed intellect. Knowing you can articulate your thoughts under pressure builds a sense of self-belief.

How we express our emotions can be as complex as the feelings themselves. A rich vocabulary gives you a full spectrum of words to depict your emotional state with nuance and precision. 

It’s like being an artist who doesn’t just have primary colors on their palette but every shade imaginable. Words like “ ecstatic, ” “ melancholic, ” or “ irate ” provide an immediate, vivid sense of what you’re feeling.

This allows you to create connections with others by sharing your emotional experiences more deeply. It fosters empathy and understanding in your personal and professional relationships. 

When you can articulate your emotions effectively, you pave the way for healthier, more sincere interactions.

Effective instruction is all about clarity; a well-chosen word can make the difference between success and confusion. 

When you’re trying to guide someone, whether it’s assembling furniture, baking a cake, or completing a complex task at work, the language you use determines how easily they’ll follow. 

For example, imagine you’re leading a fitness class. Instead of telling participants to “ move around, ” which could mean anything, you say, “ perform a series of high knee sprints, followed by lunges. ” Now they know exactly what to do, thanks to your clear directions.

Let’s break down what it looks like to make informed decisions with the aid of a strong vocabulary. 

Imagine you’re faced with choosing a new software for your business. With terms like “ scalability, ” “ integration, ” “ user interface, ” and “ analytics ” at your disposal, you can accurately evaluate the options. 

A rich vocabulary allows you to ask the right questions, understand the technical responses, and ultimately make a choice that aligns with your business needs. Vocabulary, in this sense, becomes your lens for clearer insight and judgment.

Moreover, having the right words helps you fully comprehend the options and consequences. It means that when you weigh the pros and cons, you understand all the dimensions of what you’re considering. 

Think of those moments when a single word can span the space between misunderstanding and clarity. Especially when addressing a diverse group, whether it’s your team, your clients, or an international audience, a comprehensive vocabulary allows you to:

• Adjust your language to be inclusive and respectful.
• Clarify your message to ensure everyone’s on the same page.
• Translate jargon or specialized terms into accessible language.

By effectively bridging these gaps, vocabulary facilitates stronger connections and nurtures a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.

Negotiation is an art, and words are your brushes. In high-stakes situations, each phrase and term you choose can tip the balance. A skillful negotiator knows the importance of phrasing their proposals just right to appeal to their counterpart’s interests and concerns.

When you enter a negotiation with a comprehensive vocabulary, you:

• Articulate your position more persuasively.
• React to the other party’s arguments with precision.
• Use strategic language that can encourage favorable outcomes.

It’s about more than just the deal at hand; it’s about positioning yourself as competent, prepared, and trustworthy. 

True leadership is about inspiring and guiding others, and language is a leader’s most powerful tool. With a well-honed vocabulary, you can paint a vision, spell out strategies, and encourage teamwork. 

Take, for example, a leader addressing their company during a period of change. Instead of vaguely urging staff to “ do better, ” they articulate a clear vision of what “ better ” looks like, using precise and motivating language that spurs the team. 

In every industry, the leaders who stand out are those who can communicate their thoughts with confidence and finesse. They understand that words have the power to inspire, engage, and drive progress.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. — John C. Maxwell

Each culture has its own set of idioms, colloquialisms, and expressions that reflect its unique way of life. Understanding these subtleties is like being handed a key to unlock the deeper meanings within conversations. 

This understanding fosters stronger connections, greater empathy, and a genuine appreciation for the diversity and complexity of the world’s cultures.

A diverse vocabulary enables you to:

• Appreciate the richness of different cultures through language.
• Connect with individuals on a more personal level by understanding their linguistic expressions.
• Navigate cultural contexts with sensitivity and awareness.

For instance, when someone in the UK says they’re “ feeling peckish ,” knowing they’re talking about being slightly hungry gives you a glimpse into British life’s casual, everyday speech.

Vocabulary lays the foundation for social interactions. When we think about social butterflies, what makes them so engaging is often their way with words. They know how to strike up a conversation that’s both interesting and inclusive. 

Here’s what happens when you’re equipped with a rich vocabulary:

• You’re more adept at storytelling, capturing the interest of your listeners.
• You adapt your language to suit different social settings, whether casual or formal.
• You deftly navigate various topics, making meaningful connections with those around you.

It’s about reading the room and knowing what to say to strike a chord with your audience, making each social interaction more enjoyable and rewarding. Every new word learned opens up new possibilities for connection and understanding.

Alright, so we’ve already talked about the whys, but hang on, let’s turn those whys into hows and start fueling up your communication rocket! Here are some tips to turn vocabulary building from a dull chore into an adventure:

Read, Read, Then Read Some More

Trust me, the more you read, the more words you’ll encounter. It’s like going on a treasure hunt without leaving your couch. No need to dive into the most challenging book right away—start with what grabs you and go from there.

Keep a Word Journal

Stumbled upon a new word? Jot it down in a journal or a note app. I think of it like collecting stamps; the more you have, the richer your collection. Revisit them often, and they’ll stick.

Use the Words in Your Daily Chit-Chat

Try slipping new words into your conversations. Don’t stress about sounding a bit awkward at first. With practice, it’ll become second nature.

Play Word Games

Who says expanding your vocabulary can’t be a blast? Games like Scrabble or Words with Friends are not just fun—they’re like a gym session for your brain’s language center. Before you know it, you’ll be the heavyweight champion of words.

Use Technology

There are heaps of apps and tools out there designed to help you learn new words without making you yawn. Set aside a few minutes each day, and soon, you’ll see your word bank growing faster.

Engage With Media in Different Languages

If you’re feeling adventurous, watch a movie or a show in another language. I mean, with subtitles, of course. Cross-cultural phrases and unique expressions add a new flavor to your vocabulary mix.

As we discussed earlier, investing in your vocabulary is investing in your communication. With practice, expanding your vocabulary can transform your perspective and unlock new opportunities.

Are there any tools or resources available for vocabulary building?

Yes, numerous tools and resources are available to help individuals expand their vocabulary. Some popular options include:

Vocabulary-building apps:  These apps offer daily word challenges, quizzes, and personalized learning plans to help users enhance their vocabulary.

Online dictionaries and thesauri:  Websites like Merriam-Webster and Oxford English Dictionary provide definitions, synonyms, and examples of word usage.

Educational websites and blogs:  Websites such as Vocabulary.com and Wordnik offer various resources, including word lists, quizzes, and articles related to vocabulary development.

Is there a specific age to start focusing on vocabulary development?

Not at all. Vocabulary development can start as early as a child begins to speak and continues throughout life. It’s never too early or too late to work on expanding your vocabulary.

For children, early vocabulary development is crucial for language and cognitive skills, but adults can benefit, too. Think of vocabulary building as a continuous journey—there’s always something new to learn, regardless of age.

How can I measure my vocabulary growth?

Measuring vocabulary growth can be quite satisfying, and there are several ways to do it:

1. Keep track of the new words you learn in a notebook or app, and review the list periodically to see your progress.

2. Use vocabulary tests available online to reassess your level at regular intervals. There are standardized tests and quizzes that can give you a rough idea of the size of your vocabulary.

3. Reflect on your reading and comprehension. If you’re understanding texts more easily and recognizing more words, that’s a clear indicator that your vocabulary is expanding.

4. Pay attention to your writing and speaking. The more comfortably you can express complex thoughts and use diverse words, the more growth you’ve achieved.

Remember, growth isn’t just about quantity; it’s also about how effectively you use and understand the new words in context.

How can I maintain and retain my improved vocabulary over time?

Consistent practice:  Continually use your expanded vocabulary in conversations, writing, and presentations to reinforce your learning and internalize new words.

Lifelong learning:  Make vocabulary development an ongoing process by continuously seeking new words and concepts to learn and incorporate into your language repertoire.

Periodic review:  Revisit the words you’ve learned previously to ensure they remain fresh in your memory and readily available for use.

Engage with diverse content:  Consume a variety of reading materials, watch movies and shows, and listen to podcasts that challenge your vocabulary and expose you to new words and ideas.

Words are much more than just sounds or characters; they’re the building blocks of our thoughts and the mirror that reflects our ideas to the world.

Improving our vocabulary is a powerful step towards being clearer, more persuasive, and more confident in every facet of life. It opens doors to new opportunities and allows us to understand and be understood better.

So, take these simple tips, embrace the joy of learning new words, and watch as your world expands with every term you master. After all, every word is a new tool in your kit, ready to help you build bridges, solve problems, and create a richer, more meaningful life.

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Robby Salveron

Robby is a multimedia editor at UpJourney with a journalism and communications background.

When she's not working, Robby transforms into an introverted art lover who indulges in her love for sports, learning new things, and sipping her favorite soda. She also enjoys unwinding with feel-good movies, books, and video games. She's also a proud pet parent to her beloved dog, Dustin.

Words To Use In Essays: Amplifying Your Academic Writing

Use this comprehensive list of words to use in essays to elevate your writing. Make an impression and score higher grades with this guide!

Words play a fundamental role in the domain of essay writing, as they have the power to shape ideas, influence readers, and convey messages with precision and impact. Choosing the right words to use in essays is not merely a matter of filling pages, but rather a deliberate process aimed at enhancing the quality of the writing and effectively communicating complex ideas. In this article, we will explore the importance of selecting appropriate words for essays and provide valuable insights into the types of words that can elevate the essay to new heights.

Words To Use In Essays

Using a wide range of words can make your essay stronger and more impressive. With the incorporation of carefully chosen words that communicate complex ideas with precision and eloquence, the writer can elevate the quality of their essay and captivate readers.

This list serves as an introduction to a range of impactful words that can be integrated into writing, enabling the writer to express thoughts with depth and clarity.

Significantly

Furthermore

Nonetheless

Nevertheless

Consequently

Accordingly

Subsequently

In contrast

Alternatively

Implications

Substantially

Transition Words And Phrases

Transition words and phrases are essential linguistic tools that connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs within a text. They work like bridges, facilitating the transitions between different parts of an essay or any other written work. These transitional elements conduct the flow and coherence of the writing, making it easier for readers to follow the author’s train of thought.

Here are some examples of common transition words and phrases:

Furthermore: Additionally; moreover.

However: Nevertheless; on the other hand.

In contrast: On the contrary; conversely.

Therefore: Consequently; as a result.

Similarly: Likewise; in the same way.

Moreover: Furthermore; besides.

In addition: Additionally; also.

Nonetheless: Nevertheless; regardless.

Nevertheless: However; even so.

On the other hand: Conversely; in contrast.

These are just a few examples of the many transition words and phrases available. They help create coherence, improve the organization of ideas, and guide readers through the logical progression of the text. When used effectively, transition words and phrases can significantly guide clarity for writing.

Strong Verbs For Academic Writing

Strong verbs are an essential component of academic writing as they add precision, clarity, and impact to sentences. They convey actions, intentions, and outcomes in a more powerful and concise manner. Here are some examples of strong verbs commonly used in academic writing:

Analyze: Examine in detail to understand the components or structure.

Critique: Assess or evaluate the strengths and weaknesses.

Demonstrate: Show the evidence to support a claim or argument.

Illuminate: Clarify or make something clearer.

Explicate: Explain in detail a thorough interpretation.

Synthesize: Combine or integrate information to create a new understanding.

Propose: Put forward or suggest a theory, idea, or solution.

Refute: Disprove or argue against a claim or viewpoint.

Validate: Confirm or prove the accuracy or validity of something.

Advocate: Support or argue in favor of a particular position or viewpoint.

Adjectives And Adverbs For Academic Essays

Useful adjectives and adverbs are valuable tools in academic writing as they enhance the description, precision, and depth of arguments and analysis. They provide specific details, emphasize key points, and add nuance to writing. Here are some examples of useful adjectives and adverbs commonly used in academic essays:

Comprehensive: Covering all aspects or elements; thorough.

Crucial: Extremely important or essential.

Prominent: Well-known or widely recognized; notable.

Substantial: Considerable in size, extent, or importance.

Valid: Well-founded or logically sound; acceptable or authoritative.

Effectively: In a manner that produces the desired result or outcome.

Significantly: To a considerable extent or degree; notably.

Consequently: As a result or effect of something.

Precisely: Exactly or accurately; with great attention to detail.

Critically: In a careful and analytical manner; with careful evaluation or assessment.

Words To Use In The Essay Introduction

The words used in the essay introduction play a crucial role in capturing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the rest of the essay. They should be engaging, informative, and persuasive. Here are some examples of words that can be effectively used in the essay introduction:

Intriguing: A word that sparks curiosity and captures the reader’s interest from the beginning.

Compelling: Conveys the idea that the topic is interesting and worth exploring further.

Provocative: Creates a sense of controversy or thought-provoking ideas.

Insightful: Suggests that the essay will produce valuable and thought-provoking insights.

Startling: Indicates that the essay will present surprising or unexpected information or perspectives.

Relevant: Emphasizes the significance of the topic and its connection to broader issues or current events.

Timely: Indicates that the essay addresses a subject of current relevance or importance.

Thoughtful: Implies that the essay will offer well-considered and carefully developed arguments.

Persuasive: Suggests that the essay will present compelling arguments to convince the reader.

Captivating: Indicates that the essay will hold the reader’s attention and be engaging throughout.

Words To Use In The Body Of The Essay

The words used in the body of the essay are essential for effectively conveying ideas, providing evidence, and developing arguments. They should be clear, precise, and demonstrate a strong command of the subject matter. Here are some examples of words that can be used in the body of the essay:

Evidence: When presenting supporting information or data, words such as “data,” “research,” “studies,” “findings,” “examples,” or “statistics” can be used to strengthen arguments.

Analysis: To discuss and interpret the evidence, words like “analyze,” “examine,” “explore,” “interpret,” or “assess” can be employed to demonstrate a critical evaluation of the topic.

Comparison: When drawing comparisons or making contrasts, words like “similarly,” “likewise,” “in contrast,” “on the other hand,” or “conversely” can be used to highlight similarities or differences.

Cause and effect: To explain the relationship between causes and consequences, words such as “because,” “due to,” “leads to,” “results in,” or “causes” can be utilized.

Sequence: When discussing a series of events or steps, words like “first,” “next,” “then,” “finally,” “subsequently,” or “consequently” can be used to indicate the order or progression.

Emphasis: To emphasize a particular point or idea, words such as “notably,” “significantly,” “crucially,” “importantly,” or “remarkably” can be employed.

Clarification: When providing further clarification or elaboration, words like “specifically,” “in other words,” “for instance,” “to illustrate,” or “to clarify” can be used.

Integration: To show the relationship between different ideas or concepts, words such as “moreover,” “furthermore,” “additionally,” “likewise,” or “similarly” can be utilized.

Conclusion: When summarizing or drawing conclusions, words like “in conclusion,” “to summarize,” “overall,” “in summary,” or “to conclude” can be employed to wrap up ideas.

Remember to use these words appropriately and contextually, ensuring they strengthen the coherence and flow of arguments. They should serve as effective transitions and connectors between ideas, enhancing the overall clarity and persuasiveness of the essay.

Words To Use In Essay Conclusion

The words used in the essay conclusion are crucial for effectively summarizing the main points, reinforcing arguments, and leaving a lasting impression on the reader. They should bring a sense of closure to the essay while highlighting the significance of ideas. Here are some examples of words that can be used in the essay conclusion:

Summary: To summarize the main points, these words can be used “in summary,” “to sum up,” “in conclusion,” “to recap,” or “overall.”

Reinforcement: To reinforce arguments and emphasize their importance, words such as “crucial,” “essential,” “significant,” “noteworthy,” or “compelling” can be employed.

Implication: To discuss the broader implications of ideas or findings, words like “consequently,” “therefore,” “thus,” “hence,” or “as a result” can be utilized.

Call to action: If applicable, words that encourage further action or reflection can be used, such as “we must,” “it is essential to,” “let us consider,” or “we should.”

Future perspective: To discuss future possibilities or developments related to the topic, words like “potential,” “future research,” “emerging trends,” or “further investigation” can be employed.

Reflection: To reflect on the significance or impact of arguments, words such as “profound,” “notable,” “thought-provoking,” “transformative,” or “perspective-shifting” can be used.

Final thought: To leave a lasting impression, words or phrases that summarize the main idea or evoke a sense of thoughtfulness can be used, such as “food for thought,” “in light of this,” “to ponder,” or “to consider.”

How To Improve Essay Writing Vocabulary

Improving essay writing vocabulary is essential for effectively expressing ideas, demonstrating a strong command of the language, and engaging readers. Here are some strategies to enhance the essay writing vocabulary:

• Read extensively: Reading a wide range of materials, such as books, articles, and essays, can give various writing styles, topics, and vocabulary. Pay attention to new words and their usage, and try incorporating them into the writing.
• Use a dictionary and thesaurus:  Look up unfamiliar words in a dictionary to understand their meanings and usage. Additionally, utilize a thesaurus to find synonyms and antonyms to expand word choices and avoid repetition.
• Create a word bank: To create a word bank, read extensively, write down unfamiliar or interesting words, and explore their meanings and usage. Organize them by categories or themes for easy reference, and practice incorporating them into writing to expand the vocabulary.
• Contextualize vocabulary: Simply memorizing new words won’t be sufficient; it’s crucial to understand their proper usage and context. Pay attention to how words are used in different contexts, sentence structures, and rhetorical devices. 

How To Add Additional Information To Support A Point

When writing an essay and wanting to add additional information to support a point, you can use various transitional words and phrases. Here are some examples:

Furthermore: Add more information or evidence to support the previous point.

Additionally: Indicates an additional supporting idea or evidence.

Moreover: Emphasizes the importance or significance of the added information.

In addition: Signals the inclusion of another supporting detail.

Furthermore, it is important to note: Introduces an additional aspect or consideration related to the topic.

Not only that, but also: Highlights an additional point that strengthens the argument.

Equally important: Emphasizes the equal significance of the added information.

Another key point: Introduces another important supporting idea.

It is worth noting: Draws attention to a noteworthy detail that supports the point being made.

Additionally, it is essential to consider: Indicates the need to consider another aspect or perspective.

Using these transitional words and phrases will help you seamlessly integrate additional information into your essay, enhancing the clarity and persuasiveness of your arguments.

Words And Phrases That Demonstrate Contrast

When crafting an essay, it is crucial to effectively showcase contrast, enabling the presentation of opposing ideas or the highlighting of differences between concepts. The adept use of suitable words and phrases allows for the clear communication of contrast, bolstering the strength of arguments. Consider the following examples of commonly employed words and phrases to illustrate the contrast in essays:

However: e.g., “The experiment yielded promising results; however, further analysis is needed to draw conclusive findings.”

On the other hand: e.g., “Some argue for stricter gun control laws, while others, on the other hand, advocate for individual rights to bear arms.”

Conversely: e.g., “While the study suggests a positive correlation between exercise and weight loss, conversely, other research indicates that diet plays a more significant role.”

Nevertheless: e.g., “The data shows a decline in crime rates; nevertheless, public safety remains a concern for many citizens.”

In contrast: e.g., “The economic policies of Country A focus on free-market principles. In contrast, Country B implements more interventionist measures.”

Despite: e.g., “Despite the initial setbacks, the team persevered and ultimately achieved success.”

Although: e.g., “Although the participants had varying levels of experience, they all completed the task successfully.”

While: e.g., “While some argue for stricter regulations, others contend that personal responsibility should prevail.”

Words To Use For Giving Examples

When writing an essay and providing examples to illustrate your points, you can use a variety of words and phrases to introduce those examples. Here are some examples:

For instance: Introduces a specific example to support or illustrate your point.

For example: Give an example to clarify or demonstrate your argument.

Such as: Indicates that you are providing a specific example or examples.

To illustrate: Signals that you are using an example to explain or emphasize your point.

One example is: Introduces a specific instance that exemplifies your argument.

In particular: Highlights a specific example that is especially relevant to your point.

As an illustration: Introduces an example that serves as a visual or concrete representation of your point.

A case in point: Highlights a specific example that serves as evidence or proof of your argument.

To demonstrate: Indicates that you are providing an example to show or prove your point.

To exemplify: Signals that you are using an example to illustrate or clarify your argument.

Using these words and phrases will help you effectively incorporate examples into your essay, making your arguments more persuasive and relatable. Remember to give clear and concise examples that directly support your main points.

Words To Signifying Importance

When writing an essay and wanting to signify the importance of a particular point or idea, you can use various words and phrases to convey this emphasis. Here are some examples:

Crucially: Indicates that the point being made is of critical importance.

Significantly: Highlights the importance or significance of the idea or information.

Importantly: Draws attention to the crucial nature of the point being discussed.

Notably: Emphasizes that the information or idea is particularly worthy of attention.

It is vital to note: Indicates that the point being made is essential and should be acknowledged.

It should be emphasized: Draws attention to the need to give special importance or focus to the point being made.

A key consideration is: Highlight that the particular idea or information is a central aspect of the discussion.

It is critical to recognize: Emphasizes that the understanding or acknowledgment of the point is crucial.

Using these words and phrases will help you convey the importance and significance of specific points or ideas in your essay, ensuring that readers recognize their significance and impact on the overall argument.

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Speaking, writing and reading are integral to everyday life, where language is the primary tool for expression and communication. Studying how people use language – what words and phrases they unconsciously choose and combine – can help us better understand ourselves and why we behave the way we do.

Linguistics scholars seek to determine what is unique and universal about the language we use, how it is acquired and the ways it changes over time. They consider language as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon.

“Understanding why and how languages differ tells about the range of what is human,” said Dan Jurafsky , the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor in Humanities and chair of the Department of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford . “Discovering what’s universal about languages can help us understand the core of our humanity.”

The stories below represent some of the ways linguists have investigated many aspects of language, including its semantics and syntax, phonetics and phonology, and its social, psychological and computational aspects.

Understanding stereotypes

Stanford linguists and psychologists study how language is interpreted by people. Even the slightest differences in language use can correspond with biased beliefs of the speakers, according to research.

One study showed that a relatively harmless sentence, such as “girls are as good as boys at math,” can subtly perpetuate sexist stereotypes. Because of the statement’s grammatical structure, it implies that being good at math is more common or natural for boys than girls, the researchers said.

Language can play a big role in how we and others perceive the world, and linguists work to discover what words and phrases can influence us, unknowingly.

How well-meaning statements can spread stereotypes unintentionally

New Stanford research shows that sentences that frame one gender as the standard for the other can unintentionally perpetuate biases.

Algorithms reveal changes in stereotypes

New Stanford research shows that, over the past century, linguistic changes in gender and ethnic stereotypes correlated with major social movements and demographic changes in the U.S. Census data.

Exploring what an interruption is in conversation

Stanford doctoral candidate Katherine Hilton found that people perceive interruptions in conversation differently, and those perceptions differ depending on the listener’s own conversational style as well as gender.

Cops speak less respectfully to black community members

Professors Jennifer Eberhardt and Dan Jurafsky, along with other Stanford researchers, detected racial disparities in police officers’ speech after analyzing more than 100 hours of body camera footage from Oakland Police.

How other languages inform our own

People speak roughly 7,000 languages worldwide. Although there is a lot in common among languages, each one is unique, both in its structure and in the way it reflects the culture of the people who speak it.

Jurafsky said it’s important to study languages other than our own and how they develop over time because it can help scholars understand what lies at the foundation of humans’ unique way of communicating with one another.

“All this research can help us discover what it means to be human,” Jurafsky said.

Stanford PhD student documents indigenous language of Papua New Guinea

Fifth-year PhD student Kate Lindsey recently returned to the United States after a year of documenting an obscure language indigenous to the South Pacific nation.

Students explore Esperanto across Europe

In a research project spanning eight countries, two Stanford students search for Esperanto, a constructed language, against the backdrop of European populism.

Chris Manning: How computers are learning to understand language​

A computer scientist discusses the evolution of computational linguistics and where it’s headed next.

Stanford research explores novel perspectives on the evolution of Spanish

Using digital tools and literature to explore the evolution of the Spanish language, Stanford researcher Cuauhtémoc García-García reveals a new historical perspective on linguistic changes in Latin America and Spain.

Language as a lens into behavior

Linguists analyze how certain speech patterns correspond to particular behaviors, including how language can impact people’s buying decisions or influence their social media use.

For example, in one research paper, a group of Stanford researchers examined the differences in how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online to better understand how a polarization of beliefs can occur on social media.

“We live in a very polarized time,” Jurafsky said. “Understanding what different groups of people say and why is the first step in determining how we can help bring people together.”

Analyzing the tweets of Republicans and Democrats

New research by Dora Demszky and colleagues examined how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online in an attempt to understand how polarization of beliefs occurs on social media.

Examining bilingual behavior of children at Texas preschool

A Stanford senior studied a group of bilingual children at a Spanish immersion preschool in Texas to understand how they distinguished between their two languages.

Predicting sales of online products from advertising language

Stanford linguist Dan Jurafsky and colleagues have found that products in Japan sell better if their advertising includes polite language and words that invoke cultural traditions or authority.

Language can help the elderly cope with the challenges of aging, says Stanford professor

By examining conversations of elderly Japanese women, linguist Yoshiko Matsumoto uncovers language techniques that help people move past traumatic events and regain a sense of normalcy.

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Eight practical ideas for understanding new words in context — plus six ideas for thinking more deeply about the relationships between language and culture.

By Katherine Schulten and Callie Holtermann

Our vocabulary offerings aim to convince students that learning a word’s definition opens the door to the real fun: spotting patterns in a word’s usage, interrogating its shades of meaning and incorporating it into one’s own vocabulary.

These 14 ideas will show you how to do it, with The New York Times as a resource both for understanding new words in context and for thinking about how language shapes — and is shaped by — our world.

We’re taking an energetic approach to vocabulary this school year, and kicking it off with a full week of posts. You can find them all here, in our updated vocabulary spotlight . Let us know what you think!

Eight Practical Ways to Learn Words in Context

If you want a better vocabulary, you’ve come to the right place. Below are eight easy ways to start learning new words in engaging contexts, understanding their nuances and trying them out for yourself.

1. Read just one Times article of your choice.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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• Language Teaching

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary

When you turn to IELTS Writing Task 2 (the formal essay) on test day, you may encounter an “advantage and disadvantage” essay. This type of essay asks you to evaluate both sides of an issue. Having the right vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2 essays is one key to increasing your band score. This is essay is no different. In this article, we’ll look at IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay vocabulary.

What is an Advantage/Disadvantage Essay on the IELTS?

An advantage/disadvantage essay is any essay that requires you to share both good and bad sides of an issue. They’re pretty easy to spot, because they almost always use the phrase “advantages and disadvantages” in the prompt.

With those ideas in mind, here are a few things you should keep in mind while writing an advantages/disadvantages essay.

When you’re writing an advantage/disadvantage essay, you want to present both sides of the issue. Sometimes, but not always, the prompt will ask you to pick which side is stronger. Don’t make a recommendation about which side is better unless the prompt says to! In other words, don’t overthink this: if the prompt doesn’t ask you to pick a side, don’t. Just focus on describing the pros and cons of the issue.

The structure of an IELTS advantages/disadvantages essay should be simple, with four paragraphs:

• Introduction
• Advantages (OR disadvantages, whichever you have better ideas for)
• Disadvantages (OR advantages, if you wrote about disadvantages first

The main thing to keep in mind is that you should separate advantages into their own paragraph and disadvantages into their own paragraph. It doesn’t matter which one comes first, but they should be distinct.

It can be easy to get caught up in using the IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay vocabulary you’ve learned and forgetting to focus on the ideas. However, you should brainstorm ideas carefully at the beginning of your time to make sure that you have something to write about! Aim to share two advantages and two disadvantages in your essay.

With that in mind, I’ll take a look at some words and phrase you can use for this essay type.

Before we get into specifics, though, let’s look at some basic terms for this section: synonyms for “advantages” and “disadvantages”:

• Benefits/drawbacks
• Positives/negatives

With those in mind, take a look at vocabulary words and phrases you can use to present each side!

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary: Advantages

• One advantage of X is…
• A primary advantage of X is…
• The positive aspects of X include…
• A/Another benefit of X is…
• An/Another advantage of X is…

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary: Disadvantages

• A disadvantage of X is…
• One drawback of X is…
• A negative aspect of X is…
• A negative consequence of X is…
• A/another drawback of X is…

Vocabulary and Phrases for Opinions ( ONLY if Required by the Prompt )!

• The benefits of X far outweigh/exceed the drawbacks.
• The disadvantages of X far outweighs/exceeds the advantages.

Example of an IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

So what does this look like in practice? Take a look at a sample IELTS advantages/disadvantages prompt and a high-scoring essay written in response. If you want, you can use an IELTS essay response sheet and try your own response before checking the answer below!

The Response

One major advantage of streaming films in the home is that it removes barriers between customers and the films. Couples with children do not need to find babysitters to enjoy new cinema. Another benefit of streaming services is that, in many cases, the price of new films is already included in the monthly subscription cost. This means that more people are likely to watch the film at home, even if they were not interested enough to pay money directly to see it in the theatre.

Conversely, a negative consequence of streaming services’ popularity is that, if they reach a certain tipping point of popularity, cinemas may go out of business. Consumers have no incentive to go to the theatre to see the same films they can see in the comfort of their homes. This means that those employed by cinemas, from ushers to those working at concessions stands, may lose their jobs, which could have a knock-on effect on the economy. Another disadvantage of streaming services’ ubiquity is that some films may not be as easy to appreciate artistically on a small screen. By watching these films at home, consumers may be missing out on the director’s artistic vision.

On balance, there are both benefits and drawbacks to the recent rise in streaming services. The effects this trend has are primarily economic (on both individual and societal levels) and artistic.

Word count: 272

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is the Senior Curriculum Manager for Magoosh IELTS and TOEFL. He attended Goshen College (B.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.T.S.), gaining experience and skills in curriculum development, ESOL instruction, online teaching and learning, and IELTS and TOEFL test prep education. Eliot’s teaching career started with Literacy Americorps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, taught ESL programs at Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine, and Harold Washington College. Eliot was also a speaker at the 2019 TESOL International Conference . With over 10 years of experience, he understands the challenges students face and loves helping them overcome those challenges. Come join Eliot on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram . Recent blog posts Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 2

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One response to “IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Vocabulary”

the question is about the trend that people are till going to cinema ,eventhoug ott platforms are available.so aforesaid essay written about pros & cons of streaming platform .it is clear that the deviation from the question.

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100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 25, 2023

Sharing is caring!

How to Write a Great Essay in English! This lesson provides 100+ useful words, transition words and expressions used in writing an essay. Let’s take a look!

The secret to a successful essay doesn’t just lie in the clever things you talk about and the way you structure your points.

Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

Overview of an essay.

Useful Phrases for Proficiency Essays

Developing the argument

• The first aspect to point out is that…
• Let us start by considering the facts.
• The novel portrays, deals with, revolves around…
• Central to the novel is…
• The character of xxx embodies/ epitomizes…

The other side of the argument

• It would also be interesting to see…
• One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle.
• Equally relevant to the issue are the questions of…
• The arguments we have presented… suggest that…/ prove that…/ would indicate that…
• From these arguments one must…/ could…/ might… conclude that…
• All of this points to the conclusion that…
• To conclude…

Ordering elements

• Firstly,…/ Secondly,…/ Finally,… (note the comma after all these introductory words.)
• As a final point…
• On the one hand, …. on the other hand…
• If on the one hand it can be said that… the same is not true for…
• The first argument suggests that… whilst the second suggests that…
• There are at least xxx points to highlight.

Adding elements

• Furthermore, one should not forget that…
• In addition to…
• Moreover…
• It is important to add that…

Accepting other points of view

• Nevertheless, one should accept that…
• However, we also agree that…

Personal opinion

• We/I personally believe that…
• Our/My own point of view is that…
• It is my contention that…
• I am convinced that…
• My own opinion is…

Others’ opinions

• According to some critics… Critics:
• believe that
• suggest that
• are convinced that
• point out that
• emphasize that
• contend that
• go as far as to say that
• argue for this

Introducing examples

• For example…
• For instance…
• To illustrate this point…

Introducing facts

• It is… true that…/ clear that…/ noticeable that…
• One should note here that…

Saying what you think is true

• This leads us to believe that…
• It is very possible that…
• In view of these facts, it is quite likely that…
• Doubtless,…
• One cannot deny that…
• It is (very) clear from these observations that…
• All the same, it is possible that…
• It is difficult to believe that…

Accepting other points to a certain degree

• One can agree up to a certain point with…
• Certainly,… However,…
• It cannot be denied that…

Emphasizing particular points

• The last example highlights the fact that…
• Not only… but also…
• We would even go so far as to say that…

Moderating, agreeing, disagreeing

• By and large…
• Perhaps we should also point out the fact that…
• It would be unfair not to mention the fact that…
• One must admit that…
• We cannot ignore the fact that…
• One cannot possibly accept the fact that…

Consequences

• From these facts, one may conclude that…
• That is why, in our opinion, …
• Which seems to confirm the idea that…
• Thus,…/ Therefore,…
• Some critics suggest…, whereas others…
• Compared to…
• On the one hand, there is the firm belief that… On the other hand, many people are convinced that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 1

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 2

Phrases For Balanced Arguments

Introduction

• It is often said that…
• It is undeniable that…
• It is a well-known fact that…
• One of the most striking features of this text is…
• The first thing that needs to be said is…
• First of all, let us try to analyze…
• One argument in support of…
• We must distinguish carefully between…
• The second reason for…
• An important aspect of the text is…
• It is worth stating at this point that…
• On the other hand, we can observe that…
• The other side of the coin is, however, that…
• Another way of looking at this question is to…
• What conclusions can be drawn from all this?
• The most satisfactory conclusion that we can come to is…
• To sum up… we are convinced that…/ …we believe that…/ …we have to accept that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 3

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IELTS Mentor "IELTS Preparation & Sample Answer"

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• IELTS Sample

Vocabulary for Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 (part 1)

The general format for writing academic writing task 2/ ielts essay is as follows:, many/some people claim/opine/believe that... there is no denying that... it is often said that... these days.../ nowadays.../ in this day and age... it goes without saying that... it is universally accepted that... we live in an age when many of us are... people are divided in their opinion regarding... .... is one of the most important issues... whether .... or .... is a controversial issue..., let us examine both views before reaching a concrete decision. the following paragraphs discuss whether ...... or ...... and reach a reasonable conclusion. the following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument. my two cents go for... however, i strongly believe that... i oppose the view and my reasons will be explained in the following paragraphs. i will support this view with arguments in the following paragraphs. i personally believe that... thus the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages... i wholeheartedly believe that this trend should be changed., in my opinion... i strongly opine that... i strongly agree with the idea that... i strongly disagree with the given topic... i think... my opinion is that... personally speaking... in my view... i believe... apparently... personally speaking... according to me... from my point of view... ( not 'in my point of view') as far as i am concerned... from my perspective... i realise... to my way of thinking... it seems to me that... to me... to my mind... my own view on the matter is... it appears that... i feel that... i understand... i suppose..., it is true that... first... first of all... firstly... first and foremost... initially... to begin with... to start with... let us take a look at... it is worth considering... in the first place... though it is true that... some people believe that... many people think that... according to many... some people believe that... many support the view that... on the one hand..., second(ly)...  ( not 'second of all') third(ly)... then... next... after that... and... again... also... besides... likewise... in addition... consequently... what’s more... furthermore... moreover... other people think that... other people believe that... on the other hand... apart from that... finally... last but not least..., in the same way... likewise... similarly... like the previous point... similar to... also... at the same time... just as..., on the other hand... on the contrary... however... nevertheless.../ nonetheless... but... nonetheless/ nevertheless... oppositely... alternatively... unlike... while... whilst... although... though... even though... despite... / in spite of... in spite of the fact that... alternatively... in contrast to this... then again... on the other hand... despite the fact that... even so... yet... meanwhile..., as an example... as an illustration... as an instance... as for instance... for instance... for example... as for example... by way of illustration... by way of example... to illustrate... to paraphrase... to show an example... to give an example... to cite an example... to cite an instance... take one example... take one instance... like... as... that is... among others... such as... particularly... specifically... regarding... in particular... including/ to include... namely... with respect to... as far .... is concerned... as a piece of evidence... an example is... ...could be a good/ideal example here a case... when it comes to... as a model..., research shows that... research has found that... when it comes to... with respect to... not only... but also... in terms of..., furthermore... in addition... on top of that... besides... what is more... another point worth noting is... another factor to consider is... furthermore... not only .... but also... also..., as a result... consequently... as a consequence... as an effect... thus... so... the reason why... therefore... on account of... because of... hence... eventually... for this/that reason... thereby... due to... owing to..., as a result... as a result of... due to... one reason behind this is... ... has led to/ ... has resulted in... consequently... therefore..., to sum up... in short... in a word... to put it simply... that is to say... to repeat in short... to summarise..., it goes without saying that... obviously... needless to say... there is little doubt that... although... thought... nonetheless... nevertheless... still... yet... must... after after all... even if... therefore... thus....., to put it simply... to put it in another way... that is to say... in other words..., then... else... otherwise... besides... as soon as... as much as......

In conclusion... In summary... To conclude... To conclude with... In closing... To sum up... In general... To summarise... In short... All in all... Overall... On the whole... To draw the conclusion... Given these points... Ultimately... In a nutshell... To elucidate... ('To elucidate' means - 'make something clear' or 'to explain'.) All things considered... By and large... Taking everything into consideration... Taking everything into account... In light of these arguments... Weighing up both sides of the argument...

Next (Vocabulary-Writing Task 2 - part 2) »

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• How to write a C1 Advanced Essay

• Posted on 26/02/2020
• Categories: Blog
• Tags: C1 Advanced , Cambridge Exams , Writing

The Cambridge C1 Advanced is an excellent qualification to aim for if you’re thinking of studying or working abroad. It’s recognised by universities and governments all over the world and also helps you prove your language skills to future employers.

One of the most demanding parts of the exam is Part 1 of the Writing paper, which includes writing an essay. For many of you, this won’t come naturally… especially in another language.

So, to give you the best chance at success, we’ve created this in-depth guide full of Cambridge C1 Advanced Writing tips and useful language to get you producing excellent essays in no time.

So, pick up your pen, and let’s get started!

If you’d like to get more help with the C1 Advanced, consider our exam preparation class!

C1 Advanced Writing Requirements

The C1 Advanced Writing exam has two writing parts, which you must complete in 90 minutes. Both parts have a word limit of between 220-260 words. We recommend getting lots of writing practice under these conditions!

Part 1 is always a discursive essay . It requires you to think about arguments for and against a topic.

Part 2 is a situationally based writing task. This could be a letter , an email , a report , a proposal or a review and you have three options to choose from.

Today, we’ll be looking at how to do your best in part 1.

Before you begin

When you turn over the paper and begin Writing Part 1, take some time to read the task instructions. Identify all parts of the question, underlining which parts are obligatory and noting which parts are optional.

Let’s take a look at an example question!

Remember, you don’t have to use the opinions expressed in the box, but they may help you to get the ball rolling . Also, you only have to talk about two of the options given, not all three.

Make a plan

Take ten minutes to lay out your ideas. Make a pros and cons list for each of the three options and then decide which two you feel most confident with. Here’s some things you might come up with, can you think of any more?

Structure your essay

The essence of a good essay is a clear structure.

Introduction

Here you want to introduce the topic in your own words. Your first line should also grab the reader’s attention, then you should paraphrase the question. Finally, try using a statistic or a rhetorical question. This will make them want to read on, right?

Paragraph 1

Discuss the first option you’ve chosen. Include a good topic sentence and remember to give reasons for your answer. Describe some of the advantages, and even some of the disadvantages too. This will give a well-balanced argument.

Paragraph 2

Here’s where you introduce the second option. Again, try to present both sides of the argument and give reasons for your ideas. Gradually work towards the conclusion.

State your final opinion. This should be a summary of the rest of the essay and point clearly to which option you think is the most important. Do not introduce any new arguments at this stage. The conclusion is where you tie-up any loose ends .

This is an advanced piece of writing, so make sure your choice of language reflects it. You will get marked for accuracy, however, occasional errors can still be present as long as they do not impede understanding. So don’t play it too safe . This is your opportunity to show what you can do, so take some risks and have fun with it!

In the writing paper you should use a range of vocabulary, including less common lexis. Brainstorm some vocabulary related to the topic. Take your time to think of nouns and compound nouns that you know at C1 level. Really let your vocabulary sparkle .

No one likes a broken record . Find synonyms for simple words. You want to use a variety of language, and try not to repeat yourself too much. Check out these different ways of saying the same thing:

advantage = benefit, positive, upside

disadvantage = downside, drawback

effect = influence, impact, result, outcome

problem = issue, challenge, difficulty, obstacle, setback, complication

important = valuable, essential, beneficial

expensive = costly, dear, high-priced, extortionate

cheap = inexpensive, affordable, economical

big = great, large, sizeable, considerable, wide, vast

small = slight, tiny, little

Quick tip: Visit Thesaurus.com to study more synonyms!

Experiment with different grammatical forms. At this level you’re expected to have a good grasp on the grammar. You should use a range of simple and complex grammatical forms with control and flexibility. So challenge yourself with some of these…

• Participle clauses
• Conditionals
• Modal verbs
• Passive with reporting verbs
• Cleft sentences
• Comparatives
• Relative clauses

Useful expressions

To make your essay flow it’s best to use some key phrases. These will link all your ideas together, and help it sound semi-formal. Take a look at the expressions below. Why not use some in your next essay?

Introduction:

It is often said that…

Many people feel that…

We live in an age when..

More and more…

Introducing & Addition:

Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

On the one hand…

In addition…

What is more…

For example…

For instance…

As a case in point…

Contrasting:

In contrast…

On the other hand…

Alternatively…

However…

Conclusion:

All things considered…

As far as I’m concerned…

In light of the above…

What the examiners are looking for

When writing your essay, bear in mind what you’ll be marked on:

Have you answered all parts of the question? Is everything relevant to the question?

Communicative Achievement

Is the style and tone appropriate? Remember it should be semi-formal and neutral.

Organisation

Does it follow a logical order? Have you used paragraphs and linking devices?

Are you using a variety of grammar and vocabulary? Is it accurate?

Now your masterpiece has come together. Remember to take time to check your work. Here’s the official Writing Checklist from Cambridge Assessment English . And our list of the most common mistakes:

• subject + verb agreement
• singulars / plurals
• question formation
• variety of tenses
• dependent prepositions

Some final tips

Avoid contractions (I’m, they’re, we’re) as this is a formal writing.

Don’t use first person pronouns (I, my, our, us).

Practise under timed conditions.

Use model answers to practise fixed expressions.

——

Looking for more help with your Cambridge C1 Advanced exam? Here are our other guides from our blog:

C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English – Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3

And if you are not sure if you’re ready for the C1 Advanced, check out our article Am I ready for the C1 Advanced exam? to find out!

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Get the ball rolling (exp) : to start something.

Lay out (v): to explain something in detail.

Paraphrase (v): to say the same thing in a different way.

Tie-up any loose ends (exp): to resolve issues.

Play it safe (exp): to act cautiously.

A broken record (exp): when someone repeats themself.

Sparkle (v) : to shine.

Good grasp (exp): a good knowledge.

Bear in mind (exp) : to consider.

Masterpiece (n): an incredible work of art.

exp = expression

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Small Talk For Business English

• By: oxfordadmin
• Posted on 19/02/2020

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• Vocabulary for Discussing Student Writing

The following “Elements of the Academic Essay” provide a possible vocabulary for commenting on student writing. Instructors in the Harvard College Writing Program tend to use some version of this vocabulary when talking about and commenting on student writing, so it’s likely that your students will be familiar with some of the terms and concepts below. Using these terms consistently when you comment on student writing will help your students see patterns in their own writing that might otherwise remain elusive to them. 

What the essay is about:

1. Thesis: your main insight or idea about a text or topic, and the main proposition that your essay demonstrates. It should be true but arguable; be limited enough in scope to be argued with available evidence; and get to the heart of the text or topic being analyzed (not be peripheral). It should be stated early and it should govern the whole essay. 

  Why it matters:

2. Question, Problem, or What’s at Stake: the context or situation that you establish for your argument at the start of your essay, making clear why someone might want to read an essay on this topic or need to hear your particular thesis argued (why your thesis isn't just obvious to all, why other theses might be less persuasive). In the introduction, it’s the moment where you establish “what’s at stake” in the essay, setting up a genuine problem, question, difficulty, over-simplification, misapprehension, dilemma, or violated expectation that an intelligent reader would really have.  

What the thesis is based on:

3. Evidence: the data — facts, examples, or details — that you refer to, quote, or summarize to support your thesis. There needs to be enough evidence to be persuasive; the right kind of evidence to support the thesis; a thorough consideration of evidence (with no obvious pieces of evidence overlooked); and sufficiently concrete evidence for the reader to trust. 

What you do with the evidence:

4. Analysis: the work of interpretation, of saying what the evidence means. Analysis is what you do with data when you go beyond observing or summarizing it: taking it apart, grappling with its details, drawing out the significance or implication not apparent to a superficial view. Analysis is what makes the writer feel present, as a thinking individual, in the essay. 

Evidence and analysis add up to. . .

5. Argument: the series of ideas that the essay lays out which, taken together, support the essay’s thesis. A successful argument will do more than reiterate the thesis, but rather make clear how each idea develops from the one before it (see “Structure,” #7 below). The argument should show you not only analyzing the evidence, but also reflecting on the ideas in other important ways: defining your terms (see #8 below) or assumptions; considering counter-argument — possible alternative arguments, or objections or problems, that a skeptical or resistant reader might raise; offering a qualification or limitation to the case you’ve made; incorporating any complications that arise, a way in which the case isn’t quite so simple as you’ve made it seem; drawing out an implication , often in the conclusion.

Where the evidence comes from:

6. Sources: texts (or persons), referred to, summarized, or quoted, that help a writer demonstrate the truth of his or her argument. In some arguments, there will be one central primary source. In others, sources can offer (a) factual information or data, (b) opinions or interpretation on your topic, (c) comparable versions of the things you are discussing, or (d) applicable general concepts.

How to organize the argument:

7. Structure: the sequence of an argument’s main sections or sub-topics, and the turning points between them. The sections should follow a logical order which is apparent to the reader. But it should also be a progressive order — they should have a direction of development or complication, not be simply a list of examples or series of restatements of the thesis ("Macbeth is ambitious: he's ambitious here; and he's ambitious here; and he's ambitious here, too; thus, Macbeth is ambitious"). In some arguments, especially longer ones, structure may be briefly announced or hinted at after the thesis, in a road-map or plan sentence.  

The argument is articulated in part through:

8. Key terms: the recurring terms or basic oppositions that an argument rests upon. An essay's key terms should be clear in their meaning and appear throughout; they should be appropriate for the subject (not unfair or too simple — a false or constraining opposition); and they should not be clichés or abstractions (e.g., "the evils of society"). These terms can imply certain assumptions — unstated beliefs about life, history, literature, reasoning, etc. The assumptions should bear logical inspection, and if arguable they should be explicitly acknowledged. 

You keep the reader clear along the way through:

9. Transitions and signposts: words that tie together the parts of an argument, by indicating how a new section, paragraph, or sentence follows from the one immediately previous (transitional words and phrases); and by offering “signposts” that recollect an earlier idea or section or the thesis itself, referring back to it either by explicit statement or by echoing earlier key words or resonant phrases. 

10. Orienting: brief bits of information, explanation, and summary that orient readers who aren’t expert in the subject, enabling them to follow the argument, such as: necessary introductory information about the text, author, or event; a brief summary of a text or passage about to be analyzed; pieces of information given along the way about passages, people, or events mentioned. 

Addressing your readers involves:

11. Stance: the implied relationship of you, the writer, to your readers and subject. Stance is defined by such features as style and tone (e.g., familiar or formal); the presence or absence of specialized language and knowledge; the amount of time spent orienting a general, non-expert reader; the use of scholarly conventions of format and style. Your stance should be established within the first few paragraphs of your essay, and should stay consistent.

12. Style: choices made at the word and sentence level that determine how an idea is stated. Besides adhering to the grammatical conventions of standard English, an essay's style needs to be clear and readable (not confusing, verbose, cryptic, etc.), expressive of the writer's intelligence and energetic interest in the subject (not bureaucratic or clichéd), and appropriate for its subject and audience. 

And last (or first):

13. Title: should both interest and inform, by giving the subject and focus of the essay as well as by helping readers see why this essay might be interesting to read.  

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Education Vocabulary: Word Lists and Pronunciation

This is the essential vocabulary for education about schools, subjects, studying and university. There is an audio to listen to the pronunciation of the words. These are the most common words and collocations which you will need to learn in order to talk or write about school or university successfully. After each section of vocabulary, there are exercises for you to practice using the words.

Click here to download the PDF version of this page:  Education Vocabulary PDF . Please note that the PDF does not contain the answers – you must check your answers on this page.

Educational Institutions

• kindergarten = pre-school education
• primary school
• secondary school
• college = further education
• higher education = university education = tertiary education
• post-graduate school = university for students studying beyond degree level

School Subjects

• natural science
• religious studies
• information technology (IT)
• physical education (PE)
• cookery = domestic / food science
• handicrafts

Vocabulary Exercises: School Subjects

• One of the reasons that I didn’t like ……………… was because of the lab work which sometimes involved dissection.
• I’ve always enjoyed learning about how chemicals react with one another so I decided to choose …………. as one of my main subjects.
• When I was a child, we practiced ………………… three times a week which was fine in summer but was freezing during the winter when you have to football or hockey outside.
• My teacher encouraged us to take part in ……………………… in order to develop skills beyond what is taught in scheduled lessons.
• I used to find complicated calculations difficult as well as algebra but when we got a new ………… teacher, it all become much easier to understand.
• One of my favourite subjects was …………………… because you had a chance to get out of the classroom and learn more about the environment.
• Teachers were really strict on ……………… in exams. The exam invigilators won’t even let you have your bag in the exam room.
• Poetry should be taught more in ………………. lessons in order to help students develop a deeper understanding of their language and culture.
• I always loved studying maps. We spent a lot of time in our ……………. lessons tracing the borders of countries and learn the capital cities of different countries.
• My worst subject at school was …………… because I was completely tone deaf.
• physical education
• extra curricular activities
• math’s

Useful Language & Collocations

• lab work = laboratory experiments
• dissection = cutting up animals for scientific research
• scheduled lessons = lessons which are planned and written into a school curriculum
• algebra = formulas and equations in mathematics
• to give out or assign homework / to do or complete homework
• to complete high school / to graduate high school
• to do, to participate or to take part in school activities or sport
• tracing = copying, outlining in pencil
• tone deaf = without an ear for music = unable to appreciate or hear different music and notes

Types of Schools – Same-Sex & Co-Ed Schools

Watch this video to learn the advantages or single-sex schools and the plus points of mixed schools. This video contains ideas and vocabulary to help you express your ideas clearly.

University Vocabulary

University Courses

• BA / BSc = Bachelor of Arts Degree / Bachelor of Science Degree
• MA / MSc = Masters of Arts / Masters of Science
• PhD = Doctorate

Other Courses

• Certificate = a lower level qualification often offered at colleges rather than universites. This is also the word used the for documentation received for completing any type of course or degree (she received her certificate for her BA degree).
• Online Course
• Distance Learning Course
• Vocational course = a course which teaches you skills for a specific job, for example engineering.
• Non-vocational course = a course which is not related to a job but to a general subject instead, such as Biology.

Useful Verbs & Nouns for University

• to graduate from a university = complete a degree course / to finish university
• to enroll on a degree course = put your name down for a degree course
• to major in physics = to choose physics as your main subject at university
• to attend a lecture = to go to listen to a speaker at university often with a large audience in a lecture theatre
• to attend a tutorial = to go to a meeting with a professor usually in small group held in his/her office
• deliver a lecture = to give a talk or presentation
• to lecture in media studies = to talk about media studies or to teach media studies at university
• the faculty of business = a department specialising in business at university
• to read history = to study history
• to do or complete coursework = doing project work or assignments as part of your course
• undergraduate (n) = someone currently doing their first degree
• graduate (n)  = someone who has completed a degree course
• note-taking = being able to take notes in a lecture while the lecturer is talking
• keeping up with the work load = being able to maintain the level of studying required
• fall behind with studies = fail to keep pace with the school / university work

University Work

• presentations
• dissertation
• project work

Vocabulary Exercises: Universities

Complete the following sentences are university education using no more than one word.

• People who have ……….. from university stand a better chance of finding a good job.
• I hope to enroll ………. a degree in law next year in the UK.
• There is a lot of competition to get a ……………….. but without it I won’t be able to afford the universities fees.
• One of the keys to successful  ……………. is knowing where to look for information and how to judge which information is most current and relevant. Knowing the best sources of materials is essential.
• scholarship

Other Useful Vocabulary for Education

• literate = to be able to read and write
• illiterate = unable to read and write
• the literacy rate = the percentage of people in a country or region able to read and write
• comprehensive education = a well-rounded, broad education covering a variety of subjects
• scholarship = an award of either free or supported education for high achievers
• student loan = money taken by a student to pay for their education which they must pay back after graduating
• pay off a student loan = to repay money borrowed for university education
• intensive course = a course which runs over a short period of time but contains a lot of information and training
• play truant / truancy = not attending school / being absent from school without permission
• gap year = to take a year out between high school and university

Vocabulary Exercises: Useful Education Vocabulary

Complete the sentences using no more than two words.

• The rate of …………… is higher in developed countries than in under developed countries.
• Schools should offer a ………………… which includes subjects relating to all minority groups.
• The rise in university fees has led to a large proportion of students taking out ………………… which can often be difficult to pay back.
• Students who take a …………… often find it difficult to get back into their studies again.
• Rather than the government offering free university education for all people, they should, instead, ensure that a certain number of gifted individuals receive a ……………….
• comprehensive education
• student loans

Useful Pages for IELTS

• Vocabulary for IELTS Lessons
• Education Essay Questions
• All Writing Task 2 Lessons Tips & Videos
• All Speaking Lessons, Tips & Videos

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Email Address

Hi Liz. I am Andre Fatur from Indonesia. i would say thank you cause i have a lot of knowledge about vocabulary in Education.

I’m glad it was helpful 🙂

Hi Liz , i’m really glad that i found your website and actually one of my teachers showed me you . your vocabs and the voices you have for them is the best specially for the ones who aren’t local englishman and are learning english as a second one just like me . me and my friends see your videos every session in our class . I wish you all the best

So glad you enjoy my lessons 🙂 Best wishes to you and your classmates 🙂

Great. Thank you so much, it help me a lot. Stay blessed

You’re welcome 🙂

Its a great help. Thank you so much Liz. May god bless you with all happiness…

I’m glad it’s helpful 🙂

Hi I am currently enrolled in school for nursing and I feel very uncomfortable when it comes to my vocabulary, I had brain surgery twice & suffered with seizures for 3years, I am happy to say I am better now and the Tumor is gone completely ,however I am depressed when it comes to my vocabulary because I don’t remember much at all and I often get my words mixed up when speaking so this is a big deal for me to learn and expand my vocabulary, thank you but I have no clue of where to begin at this point. I love to read so I have been reading a lot on your website, I must say I have learned some information just reading the comments. what do you suggest? thanks (my name is MINDY)

Hi Mindy, I do sympathise. I know what it is like to have language impairment due to neurological problems. The key is to take it slow and start incorporating the new words in your daily language until they become part of your natural English. Try my ideas e-book – it includes useful vocabulary and ideas for over 150 essay topics (which are also speaking topics). It’s on 55% discount this week: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . There’s also a grammar e-book which might help a lot as it also contains great vocab. But don’t rush through it. Aim to absorb 70% of the vocab for each topic. Use those words daily by a) speaking to yourself about the topic – express your thoughts, have debates with yourself b) write an essay about it c) read further on google about the topic. Continue to repeat this until some words stick in your mind. Then repeat the process over and over again. The other thing I want to you do is not push yourself and do NOT give yourself any pressure or fixed goals. The learning must be natural and come from the pleasure of learning. Learn for enjoyment, not because you have a goal. This will make a huge difference. The harder you push yourself, the further away your goal often gets. Do small amounts each day and no more. Take breaks as often as you need. To learn IELTS exam techniques, see my Advanced Lessons in my store and also review all my free lessons and tips. I hope this helps. Good luck 🙂

Thank you very much Liz. I always follow your IELTS lesson to use not only for myself but also for my students. All your materials are helpful to improve my English for an IELTS exam. All the best.

Glad my site is useful. Wishing you all well 🙂

Thanks a million for the strenuous efforts you exerted.

I admire you how Being a good teacher. You are the best, no need to follow others for IELTS . love Zeliha

Thanks for your kind comment 🙂 I hope your IELTS preparation is going well 🙂

Lovely ! Thanks a lot Liz.

What does it mean “I can’t stress enough” ?

It means I am stressing the importance of something. It is an expression in English 🙂

Many thanks!

That’s an awsome work! I really admire ur job here 🙂

You are so important to us that I can` just thank you enough.

THANKS A LOT!

Hi Liz! I have a plan to do the academic IELTS test , I live in the UK , in the speeking test if I used contraction or words like ,wanna ,gonna would that be acceptable or I have to say Iam going ,Cannot etc…

See this page for your answer: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/ . All main pages are accessed through the RED BAR at the top of the website.

Hello Liz, Please I am a stay-at-home mom so I’d like to know how to construct my answer when I’m asked to talk about my work. please note that i have worked as a consultant in an agricultural firm, but i was made redundant.

IELTS speaking is not a trick test. It is an informal chat with the examiner. Just be open, honest and chatty: “I used to work as a consultant in an agricultural firm, but now I’m a stay-at-home Mom.”. When you give this answer, the examiner will note your use of two grammar tenses and good vocabulary. The examiner will then decide whether to continue to talk about your work in the past, or change it and talk about your home. This will be the examiner’s choice – the examiner makes the decisions of topics. So, be open, friendly and chatty at all times.

You are really touching lives. Thank you sooo much.

Indeed she is!

Thank you so much Liz , I find this lesson really helpful .

It is the first time I access there. It involves a wide range of vocabulary. Thanka to all the leaders

In my point of view, there is no subject name MATHS. It is Mathematics and we call it as math.

The word “math” is US English. The word “maths” is UK English.

Thank you for clarifying me 🙂

Hi Liz, You talked about math’s teacher. If it would Science or English then also we will use ” ‘s “?

In British English we say “maths”, in US English it is “math”.

There’s this slight confusion I’ve got. There are some words which can be used with an S as well as a Z, for e.g Realized, Exercize. Which one is correct?

“z” is american spelling and “s” is British English spelling. Don’t mix them. Choose which spelling you will use and stick with it.

What is the difference between agree or disagree and to what extent do you agree or disagree types question?

https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-essay-instructions-agree-disagree-to-what-extent/

Hello… Take my cordial thanks Liz. I purchased your writing videos and I find it very useful. I’m looking for at least 6.5 band before I thought that it was too difficult to get 6.5 in writing segment but after watching these videos my confident level is increased. And your all tips and lessons are wonderful, to be honest. That is why, again thanks s lot 😘😘😊😊❤️❤️

Make sure you aim for accuracy in your writing – all errors reduce marks. Also spend time analysing the question, you must address all issues directly. Avoid using learned phrases – all sentences must be your own. So, you can learn vocab and linking words but not phrases. Good luck !! 🙂

The work that you do for us, learners of English from all over the world, cannot be valued. Thank you for putting your heart and soul in making us more literate in English! I wish you luck and success!

what is best way of writing process chart

See all my tips for writing task 1 on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

Hi Liz, I am so grateful to you that I can know everything about IELTS from your website. It is a very useful and perfect one for me.You are a great teacher.

Best Regards, Mai

I achieved 6.5 with the help of you because I watched your all video. It’s very beneficial thanku so much u are great teacher

Well done !

your lessons are amazing and very useful, thank you

Hello Liz , You are the great teacher in the world..I spentmy whole day on this site.there many things which help me in many situations..m so happy that I have great great teacher..May God bless youuu😊☺️..thnx a lot Liz

Thanks so much for telling me you find my site useful 🙂

My exam will be held on 13 october nd m weak in listening nd reading . pls mam u send me some listening Mp3 in my email

You can find online listening on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-listening/

HI liz my name is nyom nyom i am from Indonesia could you help me how the way to improve my writing skill? please send in my email thanks before

See my advanced lessons if you need help with writing task 2: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore

Thanks to my best teacher!

hi i am going to appear for my ilets exam next week but i am not sure about my reading skills. can you give me some good tips to improve my skills in reading

https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/

Dear Liza, Hello Liz, I am Totok Eko Suwito, I am an English teacher in Indonesia, I want to practice my listening especially because I ‘m going to have the IELTS test, if you don’t mind, Would you send me the script and audio MP3 of the listening above to my email. thank a lot your sincerely Totok Eko Suwito

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Hello Liz, Please liz l wonder when I want to get 7 score I found different types of vocabulary for examle the 8or 9 band’s vocabulary in some video more different than band7??

There is no such thing as band 7 vocab and band 9 vocab. Your vocab score is not marked in that way. It is based on range, accuracy, collocations and also the number of errors – and spelling.

I am so weak in listening vocabulary. Give me some tips.

That is really superlative vocabulary and it can play an indispensable role in IELTS test. Thanks Liza and i would like to say one thing more, your expressions are really appreciated. All the best. Mazhar Ishfaq

Thanks Liz. I accidentally came upon your site and found my essay shared by someone on your blog. I liked your feedback. I have rewritten this essay for the next edition of my book – A Wealth of Academic IELTS Essays.

Great. Good to know my feedback is useful 🙂 Liz

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Useful phrases for your essays (advanced level)

Here you have some phrases to include in your essays (CEFR C1-C2). Hope you like it and find it useful !!

Introducing the phenomenon to be discussed

• More and more families are choosing to have only one child.
• The trend nowadays is towards having smaller families.
• Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ……………
• Recent research indicates that the number of teenagers who smoke is increasing.
• Hardly a week goes by without another report of …………….. appearing in the media.
• This raises the issue of whether ……………..
• Although most people would generally agree that …………… few would deny that …………….

Stating your opinion

• As I see it,
• It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
• I am convinced that ……………
• I am inclined to believe that ………………
• There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
• One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
• However, one of the benefits is that …………

Changing topic

• As regards the causes for this, …………..
• Concerning the causes for this, ………
• As for the causes, ………..

Presenting arguments

• One justification often given for ……….. is that……………..
• Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
• Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
• Another objection is that ……
• However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
• ……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
• From the point of view of ……………..
• According to ………………..

Describing causes

• One factor which has led to ………… is …………..
• One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
• The problem often stems from ………………..
• The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
• ………….. has only made the situation worse.
• One consequence of ……………. is …………….

Proposing steps and measures

• As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ………
• The first step to be taken would be to ……..
• To alleviate the situation people should ………..
• In addition they ought to ……………
• To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to ……….
• ………….. would certainly ameliorate the situation.
• This can only be dealt with if …………
• To overcome this problem, …………..
• Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve.
• Individuals can do a great deal to …………
• The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of ……..
• It is vitally important that ………
• Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
• It would be a grave error if we ……………..
• All in all it seems to me that ………..
• The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
• All things considered, ………….
• On balance, I tend to believe that …………
• The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
• If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a ……………
• The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….

I think you should also have a few pages somewhere where you can keep a record of other useful essay phrases that you come across in your reading. Write them down and practise using them in your own writing.

Look out for more advanced expressions that you can use in place of phrases that weren’t even impressive at the B2 level – phrases like “solve the problem”. Here are a few alternative problem and solution phrases to get you going.:

a  crisis  in education which must be  addressed

something that must  be tackled  /  be dealt with

a  challenge  which must  be met

something must be done  to restore  law and order in the inner cities

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Look up a word, learn it forever.

Vituperative.

Use the adjective vituperative to describe criticism that's so sharp it hurts. A vituperative review of a movie would make the director bitter for months.

To correctly pronounce vituperative , remember that the first vowel sound is the long i sound, and the second syllable is accented: "vie-TOO-per-uh-tive." Being vituperative takes criticism to the next level. Vituperative criticism is harsh, scathing, even abusive. If a review or assessment is vituperative, it doesn't say "try harder next time." Instead it gives the sense of "go away and never come back."

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Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement., commonly confused words see all >, a comprehensive guide to correct word choice.

Confusion between loath ("unwilling or reluctant") and loathe ("to hate") is a growing trend.

To faze is to disturb, bother, or embarrass, but a phase is a stage or step. It could faze your family if your princess phase lasts well into your college years.

Bridal is related to a bride, but bridle refers to a part of a horse's harness and what you do with it. Although the words sound the same, they run in different circles unless you're getting a horse ready for her wedding.

Novelists, magicians, and other tricksters keep these words busy. Novelists love an allusion , an indirect reference to something like a secret treasure for the reader to find; magicians heart illusions , or fanciful fake-outs; but tricksters suffer from delusions, ideas that have no basis in reality.

To wave is to move to and fro, like when you wave your hand. Hello there! To waive , with a sneaky "i," is to give up your right to do something.

Adverse and averse are both turn-offs, but adverse is something harmful, and averse is a strong feeling of dislike. Rainstorms can cause adverse conditions, and many people are averse to rain.

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REVS: Unlearning Sensitive Information in Language Models via Rank Editing in the Vocabulary Space

• Ashuach, Tomer
• Tutek, Martin
• Belinkov, Yonatan

Large language models (LLMs) risk inadvertently memorizing and divulging sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII) seen in training data, causing privacy concerns. Current approaches to address this issue involve costly dataset scrubbing, or model filtering through unlearning and model editing, which can be bypassed through extraction attacks. We propose REVS, a novel model editing method for unlearning sensitive information from LLMs. REVS identifies and modifies a small subset of neurons relevant for each piece of sensitive information. By projecting these neurons to the vocabulary space (unembedding), we pinpoint the components driving its generation. We then compute a model edit based on the pseudo-inverse of the unembedding matrix, and apply it to de-promote generation of the targeted sensitive data. To adequately evaluate our method on truly sensitive information, we curate two datasets: an email dataset inherently memorized by GPT-J, and a synthetic social security number dataset that we tune the model to memorize. Compared to other state-of-the-art model editing methods, REVS demonstrates superior performance in both eliminating sensitive information and robustness to extraction attacks, while retaining integrity of the underlying model. The code and a demo notebook are available at https://technion-cs-nlp.github.io/REVS.

• Computer Science - Computation and Language;