When writing essays or structuring arguments, many default to using “firstly, secondly, thirdly” to organize their points. While these terms are functional, they can become repetitive and lack sophistication. This overreliance on basic sequencing words can make our writing feel formulaic and unengaging .
Fortunately, numerous alternatives can add variety and nuance to our expression. This blog post will explore other ways to indicate sequence and progression in your writing, providing examples to illustrate their usage.
Expanding your collection of transitional phrases can enhance the flow and clarity of your arguments while keeping your readers interested throughout your piece.
Here are ten alternative ways to say “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Thirdly”:
Using “First, Next, Then” is a straightforward way to organize points or steps in writing or speech. This sequence is commonly used in formal and informal contexts to convey the order of events or ideas clearly. It’s effective because it’s concise and familiar to most readers and listeners.
First , you need to gather all your materials. Next , make sure you’ve read the instructions thoroughly. Then , begin your experiment with confidence.
“To begin with, Furthermore, In addition” adds a layer of formality and depth to your writing or speech. These phrases are often used in more detailed or persuasive writing where you must logically build on each point.
To begin with , it’s crucial to understand the basics of the theory. Furthermore , recent studies have shown its applications in modern technology. In addition , experts predict it will revolutionize the industry in the coming years.
“Initially, Subsequently, Finally” is a structured way to present ideas, particularly in a formal context such as academic writing or presentations. It suggests a clear progression of thoughts or events, guiding the reader or listener through a logical sequence.
Initially , the project was met with skepticism. Subsequently , after implementing the new strategy, we saw significant improvements. Finally , the results exceeded all expectations.
Using “In the first place, In the second place, In the third place” emphasizes the importance of each point being made. This method is particularly useful in argumentative essays or speeches where you need to make strong, distinct arguments.
In the first place , the policy is unfair to low-income families. In the second place , it doesn’t address the root of the problem. In the third place , more effective alternatives could be implemented.
“First of all, After that, Lastly” effectively outlines steps or points in a more casual or conversational tone. It’s often used in speeches or less formal writing where you want to maintain clarity without sounding overly formal.
First of all , you should introduce yourself to the team. After that , take some time to familiarize yourself with the project. Lastly , don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need help.
“Primarily, Secondly, Lastly” is a concise and clear way to prioritize points. It is particularly useful when you want to highlight the most important aspect first, followed by supporting points.
Primarily , our focus should be on improving customer satisfaction. Secondly , we need to address the feedback we’ve received. Lastly , we should develop a strategy for long-term engagement.
Using “First and foremost, Afterward, Concurrently” emphasizes the primary point while suggesting that other actions or points follow or happen simultaneously. This is often used in strategic planning or discussions where timing and priority are key.
First and foremost , our priority is to secure funding for the project. Afterward , we can focus on expanding the team. Concurrently , we should be building relationships with potential partners.
“Beginning with, Following that, Lastly” is a straightforward way to organize a sequence of events or ideas. It is often used in both formal and informal settings to ensure clarity and flow in communication.
Beginning with a brief overview of the problem, we will then explore possible solutions. Following that , the team will present their findings. Lastly , we will open the floor for questions.
“As a start, Continuing with, Concluding with” provides a natural flow to discussions or writings that aim to build upon each point progressively. It’s effective in persuasive or informative contexts.
As a start , we should address the immediate concerns. Continuing with our current plan, we can make gradual improvements. Concluding with a summary, we ensure everyone is on the same page.
Using “The first point is, The second point is, The third point is” is a direct and clear method for listing points in a discussion or essay. It’s especially useful in debates or when you need to be explicit about your arguments.
The first point is that the new policy will increase productivity. The second point is that it will reduce costs. The third point is that it will improve employee satisfaction.
Advertisement
adverb as in in the second place
Strong match
Weak matches
Secondly, as GBCE reports, it puts the kids themselves at a higher risk of dropping out of school, or abandoning it all together.
Secondly, what's with choosing Swift, a 24-year-old born in Pennsylvania and bred in Nashville, to represent NYC?
Secondly, Republicans have to do better with non-white voters.
Secondly, the film shows sex in a raw way, and the Soviet regime was notoriously prudish, despite its official atheism.
Secondly, readers should not cluck their satisfaction so blithely over economic sanctions.
Secondly,—I should be further, in point of time, from Birdwood and his men than if I was still on board ship.
Secondly, the act of prayer gives courage or confidence, in proportion to the faith of him that prays.
It had been aroused a little by the stranger himself; secondly by their scared faces; thirdly by this close conference.
Secondly, Randolph prayed for safe conducts for Bruce's envoys, presently to be sent to procure reconciliation with the Church.
Secondly, my friends, especially N. Rubinstein, are trying might and main to prevent my marriage.
Words related to secondly are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word secondly . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.
adverb as in in addition; as well
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
“Firstly,” “secondly,” and “thirdly” are all ways to list things out in writing. It gives a structure or order to events, and that’s great in many cases. However, there are better alternatives that it’s worth knowing about. This article will share the best ones with you.
To help you get better at writing out lengthy lists, you might be interested in trying one of the following alternatives:
The preferred version is “first of all,” which would go on to be “second of all” and “third of all.” We can use them when we want to list things in order, and they all work much better in writing than “firstly,” “secondly,” and “thirdly.”
“First of all” works well when we continue the list with “second of all” and “third of all.” These are useful because it allows us to number our examples specifically. In writing, this flow helps many readers to understand how different things connect with each other.
We can use these forms in both formal and informal writing. That’s what makes them so useful to us, and we recommend you get used to using them. They are much more suitable formally than “firstly” and their counterparts.
Here are some examples to show you how it works:
“First” also works well when we drop “of all.” We can continue the list with “second” and “third,” which again are associated with the numbers one, two, and three, respectively. It’s helpful to use a phrase like this in many written formats.
Just like “first of all,” “first” is a great choice for formal writing. Some people prefer it without the “of all” ending, which is why we thought it should be placed high on this list.
“One example is” works well when we want to start a list. It can act like “first of all,” where we want to start a list. However, using “one example is” does not always have to begin a list, which is why it can work quite well in written cases.
Sometimes, we might just want to use “one example is” to list an example of something we spoke about before. Once that example has been stated, there might not be a reason for us to continue listing more examples.
Here are some examples:
“Another example is” would be the continuation from “one example is.” We can use it when we want to list a second example, which might add to the list. However, we can also stop the list after this second “example.” It does not always need to come in threes.
Here are some examples of how you might use it:
“The last example is” would be the third installment of the “example” list from above. We can use it when we want to close out the list because we use “last” to show that no further examples will be spoken of.
You might benefit from reading through these examples to see how it works:
“To begin” is a great way to start a list. It’s much more open-ended than the other choices in this article. If we were going to continue on this list, we would use a phrase like “continuing on” to show that there is more to our train of thought.
These examples should help you to make more sense of it:
“One reason is” is another great way to start a list. However, just like “one example is,” it does not have to begin a list at all. We can simply use it to state a single “reason,” which we then clarify and move on to our next point.
If we wanted to continue “one reason is,” we would do so in the same way as “one example is.” They are almost identical, though “reasons” are usually explanations of a previous point, while “examples” simply show what we are talking about.
Here are a few examples to help you with it:
“Another reason is” would allow us to continue the list of “one reason is.” We could also use “the last reason is” if we wanted to close the list. These phrases work well when we want to show how different reasons might impact the things we are writing about.
Here are some examples to help you understand them:
“Finally” works when we want to finish any list. It allows us to share our “final” point, which is usually one of the most important ones. The more important we can make the final point, the more potent our writing tends to be.
Here are a few good examples:
“Most importantly” is another way we can end a list. It works well to replace the final item in a list when we know it is the “most important” of all to mention. It’s a superlative phrase, which considers the final item as the one the readers should focus their attention on.
Here are a few ways we can use this one correct:
“Lastly” is another great way to close a list. It can replace a word like “thirdly” if there are only three items. Again, we typically want our “lastly” point to be the most important, but this does not always need to be the case, depending on what you are writing about.
Here are a few examples to show it to you:
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .
May 4, 2023
Kahlan House
It is important to use transitional words to keep your writing clear and easy to read. But are the adverbs firstly, secondly, thirdly appropriate for formal and professional writing?
In this article, we’ll discuss when you can use these adverbs. Moreover, we’ll show you what to write instead of firstly, secondly, thirdly to keep your documents diverse.
Below, you’ll find 12 other ways to say firstly, secondly, thirdly in your writing:
If you are setting out a series of actions in your paper, you can start with the phrase to begin . This is a more specific alternative to firstly since it refers to the start of a series of events or actions.
See how we’ve used this phrase in an example:
To begin , we delivered a survey to 15 participants. Then, we recorded their responses in a database. Finally, we developed an algorithm based on this data.
The word primarily literally means “mainly” or “for the most part.” Therefore, you can use this term to set out your points in order of pertinence, beginning with the most important one.
This is distinct from firstly, secondly, thirdly , which places no clear emphasis on any three of the points set out.
Have a look at the example below:
Primarily , Professor Merkle expressed concern at the similarities between Tate’s rhetoric and the confessions of those inmates she had interviewed over the years. Furthermore, the professor pointed to the violent phraseology Tate often employed. Lastly, she issued a warning that rhetoric of this nature, if left unchecked, could spur a dangerous cultural shift towards hegemonic masculinity.
One reason is is a great way to start a detailed explanation of a particular phenomenon.
This makes it a great phrase in an academic paper or a work memorandum , as it allows you to make a statement and then provide evidence in an organized way.
For example:
In recent times, we have seen a notable decline in our shrew populations. One reason is the unprecedented boom in tawny owl populations in the area. Moreover, modern farming practices have rapidly impacted insect populations, which make up the shrew’s main diet. Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, wildlife biologists have suggested that noise pollution has a direct impact on the heart rate and overall health of shrews, rodents, and even birds.
You can use in addition to add another point at any time in your writing. This phrase can replace secondly, thirdly, fourthly, fifthly , or anything following your initial point. This makes it a highly diverse adverb .
Let’s see it in an example:
Primarily, Baldwin was known for his earlier novels and collections of essays. In addition , he was a prolific activist during the civil rights struggle in America. Later, he would publish a series of autobiographical pieces.
You can use next when you are describing a series of events or actions . Like the phrase above, this term is highly diverse and can replace any adverb after your introductory point.
To see this term in action, have a look at the following example:
First, they create classifications between people. Next , they use symbols to identify people according to these supposed categories. Then, the discrimination begins.
Moreover essentially means the same thing as in addition . Thus, it is used to add a further point at any stage in a discussion or description .
As such, it can replace secondly, thirdly, fourthly, or any other adverb following your introductory statement.
For instance:
One reason is that these materials are inherently unstable. Moreover , there are a plethora of more predictable products on the market. Finally, the cost of repairing any damages from this instability is greater than the decreased initial cost of purchasing the more unstable materials.
You can use then at any stage after your initial point, especially if you are describing a series of actions or events taking place in chronological order .
See the example below:
To begin, we collected mushrooms from the local area. Then , we studied each of our samples under a microscope. Finally, we concluded that they were just normal mushrooms and were unlikely to cause a pandemic like that in The Last of Us .
Furthermore is another useful transitional word that you can use to add further points to a description or discussion .
This term is as diverse as moreover and can replace any adverb after firstly .
Check out the example below:
To begin, the goldfish showed no signs of distress or curiosity upon being placed in a larger tank. In addition, it tended to occupy a small corner of the tank no larger than the bowl we found it in. Furthermore , the increased tank size appeared to pose somewhat of a danger since the goldfish appeared to have a harder time finding the food we sprinkled into the tank.
You can use the term later when you are setting out how an event took place in chronological order . This phrase can replace any of the adverbs following your initial point since there is no limit to when, exactly, “later” is.
To begin, we filled several bottles with cola. Then, we added the popping candy. Later , we returned to the scene to find what can only be described as criminal property damage.
The final reason is is a great way to conclude a series of explanations about a certain observable phenomenon.
As the wording of this phrase suggests, it should only be used at the end of your series of points, as it would not make sense to add any additional information after it.
Consider this example:
One reason is the evident overlap between people who report maladaptive daydreaming and those who report enjoyment of reading. In addition, many readers experience immersion into the worlds of the novels they read. The final reason is a tendency for normal people to equate normal daydreaming with that of a maladaptive nature.
You can end off a series of points with the term finally . Depending on the number of points you include all together, it will generally replace thirdly, fourthly, fifthly, or any adverb thereafter.
To begin, we attached a small camera to a domesticated cat. Next, we observed the cat’s comings and goings on a small monitor. Finally, we found the area where the feline was hiding its kittens and several unfortunate pigeons.
Lastly is essentially a synonym for finally and you can use either of these phrases interchangeably . Therefore, you can use this phrase to close off a series of points.
Firstly, we had no access to the client’s files due to a software issue. Secondly, the client was unable to speak to us directly due to their health. Lastly, the client’s representatives were newly appointed; his previous ones had retired.
It is perfectly correct to connect sentences and paragraphs in your writing with firstly, secondly, thirdly . These ordinal adverbs are useful for work documents or instructions . They are also frequently used in academic writing for ease of reading in a thesis or essay.
However, some expert writers consider these phrases unnecessary. Others prefer that these adverbs are written as first, second, third without the “ly” suffix. It is also suitable to start your list with the first and then proceed with secondly and thirdly thereafter.
Essentially, whether you use these phrases is a matter of personal style and often depends on your intended audience .
Below, we’ve drafted three examples illustrating how you can use firstly, secondly, thirdly and the variation first, second, third in your writing:
Firstly , clients have expressed disdain for promotional emails in our surveys. Secondly , research shows that only 12% of recipients read promotional emails. Thirdly , our company has received more returning clients from alternative marketing measures.
First , we will design a website that exhibits the brand’s unique color scheme. Second , we will update and import content from the client’s old website. Third , we will hire content writers to produce new material based on the client’s current business structure.
First , we asked our participants a series of personal questions about their home lives. Secondly , we recorded and categorized these responses. Thirdly , we categorized our participants based on similarities between their answers.
Although the adverbs firstly, secondly, thirdly are a suitable way to connect points or sentences in academic and professional writing, they are a tad standardized.
Therefore, to mix up your writing and avoid repetition, you can try some of our alternative terms.
[email protected]
We help you expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding of the English language.
© SynonymPro
Save £500 when you enrol by 30th September!
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.
Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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…”
Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”
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.”
Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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…”
Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”
Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”
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.”
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.
Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”
Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”
When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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…”
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.”
Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”
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 .
Comments are closed.
(Last updated: 20 October 2022)
We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.
For the vast majority of students, essay writing doesn't always come easily. Writing at academic level is an acquired skill that can literally take years to master – indeed, many students find they only start to feel really confident writing essays just as their undergraduate course comes to an end!
If this is you, and you've come here looking for words and phrases to use in your essay, you're in the right place. We’ve pulled together a list of essential academic words you can use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essays .
Whilst your ideas and arguments should always be your own, borrowing some of the words and phrases listed below is a great way to articulate your ideas more effectively, and ensure that you keep your reader’s attention from start to finish.
It goes without saying (but we'll say it anyway) that there's a certain formality that comes with academic writing. Casual and conversational phrases have no place. Obviously, there are no LOLs, LMFAOs, and OMGs. But formal academic writing can be much more subtle than this, and as we've mentioned above, requires great skill.
So, to get you started on polishing your own essay writing ability, try using the words in this list as an inspirational starting point.
The trickiest part of academic writing often comes right at the start, with your introduction. Of course, once you’ve done your plan and have your arguments laid out, you need to actually put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and begin your essay.
You need to consider that your reader doesn’t have a clue about your topic or arguments, so your first sentence must summarise these. Explain what your essay is going to talk about as though you were explaining it to a five year old – without losing the formality of your academic writing, of course! To do this, use any of the below words or phrases to help keep you on track.
Even though it sounds obvious, your argument will be clearer if you deliver the ideas in the right order. These words can help you to offer clarity and structure to the way you expose your ideas. This is an extremely effective method of presenting the facts clearly. Don’t be too rigid and feel you have to number each point, but using this system can be a good way to get an argument off the ground, and link arguments together.
These essay phrases are useful to begin your essay. They help you pose your argument based on what other authors have said or a general concern about your research. They can also both be used when a piece of evidence sheds new light on an argument. Here’s an example: The result of the American invasion has severely impaired American interests in the Middle East, exponentially increasing popular hostility to the United States throughout the region, a factor which has proved to be a powerful recruitment tool for extremist terrorist groups (Isakhan, 2015). Considering [or In light of / In view of] the perceived resulting threat to American interests, it could be argued that the Bush administration failed to fully consider the impact of their actions before pushing forward with the war.
Introducing the views of an author who has a comprehensive knowledge of your particular area of study is a crucial part of essay writing. Including a quote that fits naturally into your work can be a bit of a struggle, but these academic phrases provide a great way in.
Even though it’s fine to reference a quote in your introduction, we don’t recommend you start your essay with a direct quote. Use your own words to sum up the views you’re mentioning, for example:
As Einstein often reiterated, experiments can prove theories, but experiments don’t give birth to theories.
Rather than:
“A theory can be proved by experiment, but no path leads from experiment to the birth of a theory.” {Albert Einstein, 1954, Einstein: A Biography}.
See the difference?
And be sure to reference correctly too, when using quotes or paraphrasing someone else's words.
The flow of your essay is extremely important. You don’t want your reader to be confused by the rhythm of your writing and get distracted away from your argument, do you? No! So, we recommend using some of the following ‘flow’ words, which are guaranteed to help you articulate your ideas and arguments in a chronological and structured order.
These types of academic phrases are perfect for expanding or adding to a point you’ve already made without interrupting the flow altogether. “Moreover”, “furthermore” and “in addition” are also great linking phrases to begin a new paragraph.
Here are some examples: The dissociation of tau protein from microtubules destabilises the latter resulting in changes to cell structure, and neuronal transport. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to further oxidative stress causing increased levels of nitrous oxide, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidases.
On the data of this trial, no treatment recommendations should be made. The patients are suspected, but not confirmed, to suffer from pneumonia. Furthermore, five days is too short a follow up time to confirm clinical cure.
These are helpful academic phrases to introduce an explanation or state your aim. Oftentimes your essay will have to prove how you intend to achieve your goals. By using these sentences you can easily expand on points that will add clarity to the reader.
For example: My research entailed hours of listening and recording the sound of whales in order to understand how they communicate.
Dutch tech companies offer support in the fight against the virus. To this end, an online meeting took place on Wednesday...
Even though we recommend the use of these phrases, DO NOT use them too often. You may think you sound like a real academic but it can be a sign of overwriting!
Complement complex ideas with simple descriptions by using these sentences. These are excellent academic phrases to improve the continuity of your essay writing. They should be used to explain a point you’ve already made in a slightly different way. Don’t use them to repeat yourself, but rather to elaborate on a certain point that needs further explanation. Or, to succinctly round up what just came before.
For example: A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no relationship between phenomena. In other words, there is no treatment effect.
Nothing could come to be in this pre-world time, “because no part of such a time possesses, as compared with any other, a distinguishing condition of existence rather than non-existence.” That is, nothing exists in this pre-world time, and so there can be nothing that causes the world to come into existence.
These essay words are a good choice to add a piece of information that agrees with an argument or fact you just mentioned. In academic writing, it is very relevant to include points of view that concur with your opinion. This will help you to situate your research within a research context.
Also , academic words and phrases like the above are also especially useful so as not to repeat the word ‘also’ too many times. (We did that on purpose to prove our point!) Your reader will be put off by the repetitive use of simple conjunctions. The quality of your essay will drastically improve just by using academic phrases and words such as ‘similarly’, ‘as well as’, etc. Here, let us show you what we mean:
In 1996, then-transport minister Steve Norris enthused about quadrupling cycling trips by 2012. Similarly, former prime minister David Cameron promised a “cycling revolution” in 2013…
Or Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) aims to bridge the gap of access to electricity across the continent (...). Another key fact to remember is that it must expand cost-efficient access to electricity to nearly 1 billion people.
The wording “not only… but also” is a useful way to elaborate on a similarity in your arguments but in a more striking way.
Academic essays often include opposite opinions or information in order to prove a point. It is important to show all the aspects that are relevant to your research. Include facts and researchers’ views that disagree with a point of your essay to show your knowledge of your particular field of study. Below are a few words and ways of introducing alternative arguments.
Finding a seamless method to present an alternative perspective or theory can be hard work, but these terms and phrases can help you introduce the other side of the argument. Let's look at some examples:
89% of respondents living in joint families reported feeling financially secure. Conversely, only 64% of those who lived in nuclear families said they felt financially secure.
The first protagonist has a social role to fill in being a father to those around him, whereas the second protagonist relies on the security and knowledge offered to him by Chaplin.
“On the other hand” can also be used to make comparisons when worded together with “on the one hand.”
These essay phrases show contrast, compare facts, and present uncertainty regarding a point in your research. “That said” and “yet” in particular will demonstrate your expertise on a topic by showing the conditions or limitations of your research area. For example:
All the tests were positive. That said, we must also consider the fact that some of them had inconclusive results.
Use these phrases and essay words to demonstrate a positive aspect of your subject-matter regardless of lack of evidence, logic, coherence, or criticism. Again, this kind of information adds clarity and expertise to your academic writing.
A good example is:
Despite the criticism received by X, the popularity of X remains undiminished.
Another way to add contrast is by highlighting the relevance of a fact or opinion in the context of your research. These academic words help to introduce a sentence or paragraph that contains a very meaningful point in your essay.
A good piece of academic writing will always include examples. Illustrating your essay with examples will make your arguments stronger. Most of the time, examples are a way to clarify an explanation; they usually offer an image that the reader can recognise. The most common way to introduce an illustration is “for example.” However, in order not to repeat yourself here are a few other options.
The academic essays that are receiving top marks are the ones that back up every single point made. These academic phrases are a useful way to introduce an example. If you have a lot of examples, avoid repeating the same phrase to facilitate the readability of your essay.
Here’s an example:
‘High involvement shopping’, an experiential process described by Wu et al. (2015, p. 299) relies upon the development of an identity-based alliance between the customer and the brand. Celebrity status at Prada, for example, has created an alliance between the brand and a new generation of millennial customers.
Concluding words for essays are necessary to wrap up your argument. Your conclusion must include a brief summary of the ideas that you just exposed without being redundant. The way these ideas are expressed should lead to the final statement and core point you have arrived at in your present research.
These are phrases for essays that will introduce your concluding paragraph. You can use them at the beginning of a sentence. They will show the reader that your essay is coming to an end:
On close analysis and appraisal, we see that the study by Cortis lacks essential features of the highest quality quantitative research.
Essay words like these ones can help you emphasize the most relevant arguments of your paper. Both are used in the same way: “the most persuasive/compelling argument is…”.
When you’re explaining the significance of the results of a piece of research, these phrases provide the perfect lead up to your explanation.
Your summary should include the most relevant information or research factor that guided you to your conclusion. Contrary to words such as “persuasive” or “compelling”, these essay words are helpful to draw attention to an important point. For example:
The feasibility and effectiveness of my research has been proven chiefly in the last round of laboratory tests.
Film noir is, and will continue to be, highly debatable, controversial, and unmarketable – but above all, for audience members past, present and to come, extremely enjoyable as a form of screen media entertainment.
This essay phrase is meant to articulate how you give reasons to your conclusions. It means that after you considered all the aspects related to your study, you have arrived to the conclusion you are demonstrating.
After mastering the use of these academic words and phrases, we guarantee you will see an immediate change in the quality of your essays. The structure will be easier to follow, and the reader’s experience will improve. You’ll also feel more confident articulating your ideas and using facts and examples. So jot them all down, and watch your essays go from ‘good’ to ‘great’!
Cryptocurrency payments.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
What to Say Instead of "Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly". 1. First of All. "First of all" is a great way to replace "firstly" at the start of a list. We recommend using it to show that you have more points to make. Usually, it implies you start with the most important point. Here are some examples to show you how it works:
Thesaurus for Secondly. Related terms for secondly - synonyms, antonyms and sentences with secondly.
302 other terms for secondly - words and phrases with similar meaning. synonyms. suggest new.
Synonyms of 'secondly' in British English. secondly (adverb) in the sense of next. Definition. in the second place. Firstly it's mine, and secondly I don't want to give it away. Synonyms. ... or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs. February 13, 2020 Read more
Definition of secondly adverb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Learn how to mix up your essay and academic writing by using different words to list multiple points. Find out the pros and cons of formal and informal synonyms for "firstly, secondly, thirdly."
1. "To begin with,". Example: "To begin with, we need to address the budget constraints before planning the event.". Explanation: This is a natural way to introduce the first point in a discussion. 2. "First off,". Example: "First off, I'd like to thank everyone for their hard work on this project.".
Definition of secondly adverb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
on top of that. over and above that. likewise. supplementarily. in addition to this. what is more. second of all. more. for good measure.
"Primarily, Secondly, Lastly" is a concise and clear way to prioritize points. It is particularly useful when you want to highlight the most important aspect first, followed by supporting points. Example: Primarily, our focus should be on improving customer satisfaction. Secondly, we need to address the feedback we've received.
Find 12 synonyms for secondly, an adverb meaning in the second place, such as along with, also, and further. See definitions, examples, and related words for secondly.
Learn how to list things out in writing with better alternatives than "firstly, secondly, thirdly". See examples of phrases like "first of all", "one example is", "to begin", and more.
Below, you'll find 12 other ways to say firstly, secondly, thirdly in your writing: 1. To Begin. If you are setting out a series of actions in your paper, you can start with the phrase to begin. This is a more specific alternative to firstly since it refers to the start of a series of events or actions.
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".
besides. next. on-the-other-hand. in the next place. for the next step. next in order. further. to continue. More words.
To do this, use any of the below words or phrases to help keep you on track. 1. Firstly, secondly, thirdly. Even though it sounds obvious, your argument will be clearer if you deliver the ideas in the right order. These words can help you to offer clarity and structure to the way you expose your ideas.
do something second/secondly - English Only forum first, secondly and thirdly in the same piece of writing - English Only forum Firstly / Moreover / Secondly - English Only forum Firstly, Secondly/First, Second - English Only forum Firstly: Secondly / Then / Next [connectors] - English Only forum He has just passed 'Secondly,' - English Only forum Is it bad form to use 'firstly' without later ...
Should I Use Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly? "Firstly," "secondly," and "thirdly" are superfluous terms. "First," "second," and "third" are more acceptable words for enumerating text in writing. Experts also prefer "first" even if the other items state "secondly" and "thirdly.". For example: "First, check if ...
Find synonyms of secondly, an adverb meaning in the second place, in the sense of next, or in addition. See examples of secondly and related words in essays and other texts.
33 Transition Words and Phrases. 'Besides,' 'furthermore,' 'although,' and other words to help you jump from one idea to the next. Transitional terms give writers the opportunity to prepare readers for a new idea, connecting the previous sentence to the next one. Many transitional words are nearly synonymous: words that broadly indicate that ...
You say secondly when you want to make a second point or give a second reason for something. ... Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs. Read more.
addition. enumeration. order. suggest new. Another way to say Secondly? Synonyms for Secondly (other words and phrases for Secondly) - Page 2.
Enhance essays with our guide on transition words examples, ideal for starting paragraphs and conclusions. ... You were probably taught to organize your writing by starting each paragraph with a word like first, additionally, further, secondly, or third. These words are transition words. Not all transition words are individual words.