18. IELTS Task 1 and 2: "Discourse connectors - PART 2"

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4. Exemplification/Restatement

Exemplification connectors clarify preceding information. These connectors may introduce examples or an expansion. The most common exemplification connectors are for example and for instance. Restatement connectors give deeper explanations of preceding information. Restatement connectors include that is, in other words, more precisely, which is to say, that is to say, and namely.

Exemplification:

There are ways in which you might build a house cheaply. For example, you could become your own project manager.

Restatement:

He managed to save $70,000 on the total cost of his home build. In other words, it would have cost him over $1,000,000 if he had used a well-known building company.

Don’t get exemplification and restatement connectors mixed up! Your essay will sound very strange.

5. Result

Result discourse connectors introduce information that is a consequence of some preceding information. Examples of result connectors include: accordingly, consequently, hence, therefore, thus, as a consequence, as a resultand so.

When the result follows from an event that was described, consequentlyand as a result are usually used. When the result is inferred, thereforeor thusare used. Socan be used in both cases. Let’s look at some examples:

Result of event: It was getting dark. Consequently/As a resultthey decided to call off the search.

Inference: You have three and I have four. Therefore/Thuswe have seven altogether.

6. Concession

The concessive discourse connectors include: nevertheless, nonetheless, in spite of that, despite that,and still. Neverthelessusually introduces content that is surprising.

Example:

Laura had the highest result in the whole school. Nevertheless, she still couldn’t get into the medical course.

7. Contrast

Discourse connectors of contrast include: in contrast, by way of contrast, conversely, by comparison, however, instead, on the contrary, and on the other hand.There are some points to be aware of when using contrast connectors.

In contrast is usually used when two subject (nouns) differ somehow. Let’s take a look.

Example:

American cars have traditionally had big engines. In contrast, European makers have focused on fuel economy.

Howeveris a much loser contrast connecter than In contrast. We could not use In contrast in the example below.

Example:

He wanted to take a trip to Europe. However/In contrasthe didn’t have enough money.

Finally, on the other handis used to contrast qualities of a single subject. Let’s take a look at an example.

Example:

Teaching is a hard job. On the one hand, you want to treat everybody individually. On the other hand, you don’t want any student to get left behind.

8. Cognitive stance

Cognitive stance connectors express the writer’s attitude opinion. They should be used in IELTS task 2 responses to get high marks. They include: As it happens, indeed, in fact, actually, in actual fact,and in reality.

As it happens, indeed, and in factall show the preceding information is true. They EMPHASISE what was said in the previous sentence.

Example:

He did not object to the idea. Indeed/In facthe actually seemed to support it.

9. Abrupt topic shift

A few connectors can be used to quickly change to another topic. These include: Incidentally and apropos.

Try to use a range of the discourse connectors I have shown you in today’s podcast for high marks!!