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Key to linking words and paragraph structure

Now complete the table by adding the ten words

 

linking 3

As a matter of fact  In fact  Actually
Clearly  Obviously  Of course
Especially  In particular  Above all
In other words  That is to say  i.e.
For this reason  Therefore  As a result

Choose the correct words in this report extract. Look carefully at the whole context.

How to Cut the Time You Spend On Reports

Does information technology mean the end of paper in our offices? (1) In fact/Moreover, the amount of paper used in business is slowly going down, but not in all areas. (2) For this reason/ln particular, the number of reports actually seems to keep growing. (3) CIearly/Nevertheless some reports are essential and need to be studied carefully, but (4) above all/in general reports are only read very quickly, and some are never read at all.

What can you do to reduce the amount you read and write? (5) First/As a matter of fact, see if each report is really needed. (6) That is to say/However, ask yourself ‘If this report was destroyed in a fire tomorrow, what would be the result?’ The answer might surprise you. (7) For example/Second, keep your reports short and easy to understand. Can you use a graph instead of text? Is the writing clear and simple? (8) Typically/Above all, think of your readers: are you telling them more than they need to know? One suggestion is only to circulate the summary and recommendations. Your readers may miss some of the details, but (9) especially/on the other hand if they want the full report they can ask for it.

(10) In conclusion/Nevertheless, it is possible to save time on reports, but it may mean there is less information in circulation.wiki

Look at paragraphs 1-4 from a report about Kalia. The first sentence is missing each time.

Investment opportunities in Kalia

1                    .b…. The Government is liberalizing the economy and many nationalized industries are being privatized. Inflation is finally under control and industrial output is growing.

2                    ..d… Roads and telecommunications are being modernized and a new port is being built at the mouth of the Delta river.

3                    ..f… One of Kalia’s success stories has been the growth of software exports, and leading multinational suppliers like Hewlett-Packard and Acer have strong Kalian partners.

4                    ..a… The reform process has slowed down in recent months as politicians fear that their policies are becoming unpopular, particularly among workers in the large state-owned industries. There are also doubts about Kalia’s ability to generate enough electricity for its industrial sector.

Choose the best opening sentence for each paragraph from those in the box below (two are not used).

a        However, there are still many problems ahead.

b       Opportunities for investing in Kalia have never been better.

c High-interest rates are not the only cause of the economic recession.

d        Rapid progress is being made in the area of infrastructure.

e        Reform of the financial sector will be crucial to Kalia’s continuing development.

f      The government has recognized the importance of information technology.

  • The sentences in the box are called topic sentences. What is a ‘topic sentence’?
  • In general, when do you start a new paragraph?

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Polybooks Mary Jo Kluser: Writing for business Copyright © by Mary Jo Kluser. All Rights Reserved.

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