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Function<\/strong><\/td>\n| Purpose (What the writer is doing)<\/strong><\/td>\n | Common Signal Words \/ Links<\/strong><\/td>\n | Example<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n | Laying the Foundation (Background)<\/strong><\/td>\n | Introduces historical or contextual information before the main argument.<\/td>\n | historically, traditionally, for centuries, until recently, originally<\/td>\n | For centuries, people believed diseases were caused by bad air.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Introducing<\/strong><\/td>\n | Begins a new topic or concept.<\/td>\n | first, initially, to begin with, this article examines<\/td>\n | This article explores how memory develops.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Outlining<\/strong><\/td>\n | Gives an overview or roadmap of what will follow.<\/td>\n | this paper discusses, first…next…finally<\/td>\n | The following sections examine three competing theories.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Defining<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains the meaning of a term or concept.<\/td>\n | refers to, is defined as, means, known as<\/td>\n | Photosynthesis refers to the process by which plants produce food.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Describing<\/strong><\/td>\n | Gives characteristics or features of something.<\/td>\n | consists of, includes, contains, characterized by<\/td>\n | The machine consists of three main components.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Classifying<\/strong><\/td>\n | Divides something into categories.<\/td>\n | can be divided into, classified as, grouped into<\/td>\n | Birds can be divided into migratory and non-migratory species.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Listing<\/strong><\/td>\n | Presents several items or ideas.<\/td>\n | first, second, finally, another<\/td>\n | There are three main reasons for this change.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Sequencing<\/strong><\/td>\n | Shows events or stages in order.<\/td>\n | first, then, afterwards, subsequently, finally<\/td>\n | The eggs hatch, then the larvae develop.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Explaining<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains how or why something happens.<\/td>\n | because, due to, results in, causes, occurs when<\/td>\n | Rain forms because warm air rises and cools.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Simple Reasoning<\/strong><\/td>\n | Shows a logical relationship between ideas.<\/td>\n | therefore, thus, consequently, since, hence<\/td>\n | Since temperatures rose, glaciers melted faster.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Cause → Effect<\/strong><\/td>\n | Shows that one event produces another.<\/td>\n | because, leads to, causes, results in<\/td>\n | Smoking increases the risk of lung disease.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Problem → Solution<\/strong><\/td>\n | Presents an issue and then explains how it can be solved.<\/td>\n | problem, challenge, solution, address, overcome<\/td>\n | Water shortages were solved through recycling systems.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | General → Specific<\/strong><\/td>\n | Moves from a broad statement to detailed examples.<\/td>\n | for example, specifically, in particular<\/td>\n | Many animals migrate. For example, whales travel thousands of kilometres.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Specific → General<\/strong><\/td>\n | Draws a general conclusion from examples.<\/td>\n | therefore, overall, thus<\/td>\n | These studies suggest climate change is accelerating.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Observation → Explanation<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains observed evidence or findings.<\/td>\n | suggests, indicates, explains, may be due to<\/td>\n | Bird populations declined, possibly because habitats disappeared.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Question → Answer<\/strong><\/td>\n | Raises a question and then answers it.<\/td>\n | why? because, how?<\/td>\n | Why do whales sing? Scientists believe…<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Hypothesis → Testing<\/strong><\/td>\n | Introduces a theory and explains how it was tested.<\/td>\n | hypothesis, experiment, tested, investigated<\/td>\n | Researchers tested the hypothesis using satellite data.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Reporting Findings<\/strong><\/td>\n | Presents research results.<\/td>\n | found, discovered, revealed, observed<\/td>\n | Researchers found a significant increase in rainfall.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Interpreting Findings<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains what research results mean.<\/td>\n | suggests, implies, indicates<\/td>\n | The findings suggest sleep improves memory.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Supporting<\/strong><\/td>\n | Provides evidence for a claim.<\/td>\n | studies show, evidence suggests, according to, research found<\/td>\n | Several studies support this conclusion.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Illustrating (Giving Examples)<\/strong><\/td>\n | Makes an idea clearer using examples.<\/td>\n | for example, for instance, such as<\/td>\n | Many insects, such as bees and ants, live in colonies.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Comparing<\/strong><\/td>\n | Shows similarities and\/or differences.<\/td>\n | similarly, likewise, compared with, unlike, whereas<\/td>\n | Unlike wolves, foxes usually hunt alone.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Contrasting<\/strong><\/td>\n | Highlights differences between ideas.<\/td>\n | however, whereas, in contrast, on the other hand<\/td>\n | Cats are independent, whereas dogs are more social.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Defending<\/strong><\/td>\n | Protects an idea against criticism.<\/td>\n | however, despite criticism, nevertheless, in fact<\/td>\n | Although critics disagreed, later evidence confirmed the theory.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Justifying<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains why an action or decision is reasonable.<\/td>\n | because, justified, necessary, therefore<\/td>\n | Doctors prioritised the sickest patients because resources were limited.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Criticising<\/strong><\/td>\n | Points out weaknesses or problems.<\/td>\n | flawed, limitation, weakness, failed to<\/td>\n | The study’s sample size was too small.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Disproving<\/strong><\/td>\n | Shows that an idea or theory is incorrect.<\/td>\n | contrary to, evidence now shows, no longer accepted<\/td>\n | Scientists now know this theory is incorrect.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Refuting<\/strong><\/td>\n | Directly argues against another person’s claim.<\/td>\n | contrary to, however, although, instead<\/td>\n | Contrary to earlier claims, the evidence does not support this view.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Challenging Assumptions<\/strong><\/td>\n | Questions commonly accepted beliefs.<\/td>\n | contrary to popular belief, surprisingly<\/td>\n | Contrary to popular belief, memory is not fixed.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Correcting Misconceptions<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains that a common belief is wrong.<\/td>\n | many believe…, in fact…, actually<\/td>\n | Many people believe bats are blind, but they are not.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Evaluating<\/strong><\/td>\n | Assesses strengths and weaknesses.<\/td>\n | effective, successful, limited, beneficial<\/td>\n | The method is effective but expensive.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Conceding<\/strong><\/td>\n | Accepts part of an opposing argument before continuing.<\/td>\n | although, admittedly, while it is true<\/td>\n | Although the approach is costly, its benefits outweigh the expense.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Qualifying<\/strong><\/td>\n | Limits or softens a claim.<\/td>\n | may, might, generally, often, in most cases<\/td>\n | The treatment is generally effective but not always.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Exceptioning<\/strong><\/td>\n | Identifies exceptions to a general rule.<\/td>\n | except, however, although, unless, with the exception of<\/td>\n | Most birds fly, except penguins.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Emphasising<\/strong><\/td>\n | Draws attention to an important point.<\/td>\n | importantly, notably, above all, significantly<\/td>\n | Most importantly, the results were consistent.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Establishing Significance<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains why something matters.<\/td>\n | importantly, this matters because, significant<\/td>\n | This discovery could change medical treatment.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Extending an Idea<\/strong><\/td>\n | Adds new information to an existing argument.<\/td>\n | furthermore, moreover, in addition<\/td>\n | Furthermore, recent studies support this conclusion.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Revising a Theory<\/strong><\/td>\n | Updates or modifies an existing theory.<\/td>\n | more recently, revised, updated<\/td>\n | The theory has since been modified.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Resolving a Contradiction<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains conflicting evidence.<\/td>\n | although, however, this contradiction may be explained by<\/td>\n | The conflicting results were due to different climates.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Presenting a Paradox<\/strong><\/td>\n | Highlights something that seems contradictory.<\/td>\n | surprisingly, paradoxically, despite<\/td>\n | Paradoxically, larger brains did not improve memory.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Predicting Implications<\/strong><\/td>\n | Explains possible future effects.<\/td>\n | likely, could, may, in the future<\/td>\n | This discovery could transform agriculture.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Identifying Research Gaps<\/strong><\/td>\n | Shows what is still unknown.<\/td>\n | little is known, remains unclear, unanswered<\/td>\n | Much remains unknown about whale communication.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Recommending Future Research<\/strong><\/td>\n | Suggests further investigation.<\/td>\n | future studies, further research, should examine<\/td>\n | Future studies should investigate long-term effects.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Explaining Methodology<\/strong><\/td>\n | Describes how research was conducted.<\/td>\n | researchers measured, participants, experiment, method<\/td>\n | Participants completed memory tests over six weeks.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Transitioning<\/strong><\/td>\n | Moves from one topic or stage to another.<\/td>\n | meanwhile, however, turning to, next<\/td>\n | Having examined mammals, we now consider birds.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Connecting<\/strong><\/td>\n | Links the current idea with previous information.<\/td>\n | similarly, likewise, in addition<\/td>\n | Similarly, dolphins display cooperative behaviour.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Concluding<\/strong><\/td>\n | Brings the discussion to an end.<\/td>\n | overall, in conclusion, therefore, ultimately<\/td>\n | Overall, the evidence strongly supports the hypothesis.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Summarising<\/strong><\/td>\n | Briefly restates the main ideas.<\/td>\n | in summary, overall, to sum up<\/td>\n | In summary, climate influences migration patterns.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |