Find out what linking words really do in an argument, then use them to build a paragraph of your own.
20 minutesParagraph B is built from the sentences in Paragraph A, joined with linking words.
School should start later. Students are tired. They can't concentrate in the first lessons. Studies link more sleep to better grades. A later start would be awkward for some families. Several schools in the US have moved their start time.
School should start later students are tired and, , they can't concentrate in the first lessons. , studies link more sleep to better grades. a later start would be awkward for some families, several schools in the US have moved their start time, it would work here.
B sounds more convincing. Is it? Tap each orange word: what connection does it claim, and is that connection really there?
Each linking word has a job. It also has grammar: the tag next to each word shows what has to come after it.
✓Although school starts early, most students arrive on time.
✓Despite the early start, most students arrive on time.
✗Despite school starts early, most students arrive on time.
obviously, clearly, undoubtedly, of course, certainly, definitely, surely — these don't link two ideas. They tell the reader that everyone already agrees, so a sceptical reader starts looking for the weak spot. Use them only when the point really is beyond argument.
apparently means anscheinend, not offensichtlich.
Choose an opinion.
Write 5–6 sentences arguing for it. Use at least three joints. Two of them must be Concede (admit one point for the other side, then answer it) and Conclude.
The tracker only finds words. It can't tell whether each one is doing the right job. You and your partner can. Tap a highlighted word to see its job. Dotted underline: a handle-with-care word.
Read your paragraph aloud to a partner. Then tick only what's true.