pointing words

Examples of pointing words in the following topics:

• Using Pointing Words

  • Pointing words help orient your reader and establish continuity within your writing.
  • In the example, the word "this" is a pointing word that refers back to the previous sentence, while simultaneously pointing toward how the ensuing sentence will take up and comment on the initial sentence.
  • The pointing word establishes continuity between the two sentences by acting as a pivot that both points backward to the previous sentence and points forward.
  • In the title, the word "these" acts as a pointing word that points back to the noun, "wild animals," contained in the first sentence.
  • Pointing words are used to produce continuity in your writing.

• Transitions, Signal Phrases, and Pointing Words

  • These simple words are the handrail for the steps the reader is climbing.
  • Here, you're relying on the point you've just proven in this paragraph to serve as a springboard for the next paragraph's main idea.
  • Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases.
  • Pointing words let you refer back to complex ideas concisely.
  • Can you see how the pointing words (this, that, these, those) in the following examples serve to link one idea to the next, or to the main idea of the paper?

• Varying Your Sentence Structure and Vocabulary

  • Shorter sentences, in contrast, are useful when you want to emphasize a concise point.
  • However, when using synonyms, you should make sure that the word you choose means exactly what you think it means.
  • Writers familiar with their own habits will sometimes do a “word search” on a word or phrase they typically overuse (“however,” “that said,” “moreover,”) and replace some of those words with another transition. 
  • Each variation is a chance to introduce nuance into your writing while driving your point home.
  • The argument is the point.

• Concision

  • This paragraph is quite wordy and takes longer than necessary to make its point.
  • Let's break it up into shorter sentences and omit unnecessary words:
  • However, instructors and other readers easily see through this, and they usually just want you to get your point across!
  • Eliminate unnecessary words.
  • The single combined sentence may be longer than each of the two original sentences, but overall you are using fewer words and communicating your point more clearly.

• Precision

  • General words and specific words are not opposites.
  • General words cover a broader spectrum with a single word than specific words.
  • Specific words are a subset of general words.
  • You can increase the clarity of your writing by choosing specific words over general words.
  • In scientific, technical, and other specialized fields, writers often need to make general points, describe general circumstances, or provide general guidance for action.

• Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

  • You can use a semicolon between the two clauses if they are of equal importance; this allows your reader to consider the points together.
  • You can use a semicolon with a transition word to indicate a specific relation between the two clauses; however, you should use this sparingly.
  • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.
  • You can use a semicolon between the two clauses if they are of equal importance; this allows your reader to consider the points together.
  • Or, you can add a word to one clause to make it dependent.

• Incorporating Your Sources Into Your Paper

  • Direct quotations are words and phrases that are taken directly from another source, and then used word-for-word in your paper.
  • A summary outlines a source's most important points and general position.
  • When paraphrasing, you may put any part of a source (such as a phrase, sentence, paragraph, or chapter) into your own words.
  • You may find that the original source uses language that is more clear, concise, or specific than your own language, in which case you should use a direct quotation, putting quotation marks around those unique words or phrases you don't change.
  • It is common to use a mixture of paraphrased text and quoted words or phrases, as long as the direct quotations are inside of quotation marks.

• Introducing and Formatting Quotations

  • Paraphrasing is using a particular idea that you took from another author and putting it in your own words.
  • Quoting is using the exact words of another author.
  • Question marks and exclamation points should be placed inside the quotation marks, unless the punctuation applies to the whole sentence (not just the quote).
  • When using quotations, you need to be very careful to copy the words as they appear in the source text.
  • In such cases, square brackets should be used around words not contained in the original quote.

• Avoiding Repetitiveness

  • Using the exact same words within the same paragraph or the same phrase multiple times can make you appear to have a limited vocabulary, in addition to making your paper arduous or tedious to read.
  • However, when using synonyms, you should make sure that the word you choose means exactly what you think it means.
  • Avoid starting sentences with the same words or phrases.
  • Repeating ideas or revisiting concepts in different ways gives you the chance to say convey the importance of your argument by approaching it from varied angles and fleshing out the ideas thoroughly; each variation is a chance to think through your argument and introduce nuance into your writing while driving your point home.

• The Importance of Wording