When it comes to essay writing, some words are especially powerful. I call them Power Words.
I’m Tutor Phil, and in this tutorial, you’ll harness the power of four such words. What can power words do for you? Great question!
Power words can help you:
- Get your ideas flowing
- Make a better impression on your instructor
- Organize or expand your essay
Without further ado, let’s dive in and make these power words our own!
Power Word 1: “Therefore”
What’s so special about it, and why is it a Power Word? Here’s what it does for you:
- It shows that you’ve done your homework researching the subject
- It tells the reader that you are a smart and logical person
- It adds credibility to your explanations
- If used with correct punctuation, it improves your professor’s overall impression of your writing.
So, how do we use the word “therefore?”
We use it to make a logical conclusion from a previously stated thought. For example:
“Apples contain lots of iron and are a great source of heart-healthy fiber. Therefore, apples are a healthy food.”
This word can be used in two different places within a sentence: in the beginning or in the middle. For example:
In the beginning:
“Summers fly by very fast. Therefore, every summer day should be enjoyed to the fullest.”
In the middle:
“Summers fly by very fast. Every summer day, therefore, should be enjoyed to the fullest.”
You can write it either way – both are perfectly acceptable. But here’s a bit of advice:
Alternate the two ways. Write “therefore” in the beginning of a sentence a couple of times, and the next time write it in the middle.
This is a very simple but powerful way to show your professor that you are smart and have a good taste in writing as well as good grammar skills.
Note on punctuation
When you write the word “therefore” in the beginning of the sentence, use a comma right after it, just like in the examples above.
When you write it in the middle of the sentence, just enclose it in between commas. The best place to put this word is right between the subject and the verb.
Power Word 2: “And”
The word “And” has special powers. It can unite. And it can separate. How can one word perform opposite functions?
Power word “And” is a conjunction. When you encounter it while reading, you know that it signals a separation into distinct concepts.
When you’re writing an essay, using the word “and” helps you think more clearly about your ideas.
Whenever you encounter the word “and,” you know that it connects or separates distinct bits of intellectual content.
Many permutations of this word exist. Here are some of its equivalents:
- Also
- In addition
- Furthermore
- Moreover
- Too
How can this word help you in your college writing? Here’s an example. Let’s say that your professor gives you a writing assignment, and it sounds something like this:
“Discuss Iago’s motivations and methods of persuasion in Shakespeare’s Othello.”
What does the word “and” tell you here? It tells you that you should divide this essay topic into two parts.
First, you’ll discuss Iago’s motivations.
Second, you’ll discuss his methods of persuasion.
The word “and” has just helped you structure your essay. At least you know the main sections. And all it took was noticing the word “and” in the essay prompt, and then applying it to your own essay structure.
And that’s something very useful to know about writing assignments.
Take your professors’ writing assignments literally and look for power words which can help you organize your essay.
Power Word 3: “But”
Providing a balanced perspective is a mark of a smart and experienced writer. I’ll introduce you to a word that you already know, but whose power you may not have realized until now. It will allow you to:
- Convey that you are unbiased and value other people’s opinions
- Present you as a serious writer who cares about the subject
- Expand your content even more
This Power Word is “But.”
Are you surprised? Were you hoping for something fancier than that? You don’t need fancy words to be a good essay writer. Just become a master of a few, and your writing will improve dramatically.
The word “But” acts as a partition within your reader’s mind. It is so powerful because it clearly indicates a separation into opposites. When you’re reading a difficult text, this word can help you make out its meaning.
When you’re writing, it helps you organize ideas, just like the word “and” does.
In the diagram below, you can see how Shakespeare uses this word to divide his sonnet 18 into two main sections, each about a distinct subject:
In this sonnet, Shakespeare states right in the beginning that he intends to compare “you” with the summer. And that’s exactly what he does.
The word “But” in line 9 clearly indicates a separation into sections. Section one (lines 1-8) is about the summer, and section two (lines 9-14) is about “You.”
I actually made a video in which I analyze the sonnet in detail. I highly recommend that you watch it to see power words in action. Here it is:
Here are some of the equivalents of the word “But”:
- However
- Nevertheless
- Still
- Yet
- Unfortunately
- Nonetheless
And here is my video about the Power Words “And” and “But,” if you like video lessons:
Power Word 4: “Since”
Each power word works differently. The word “since” has a couple of meanings, but we’re interested in only one – it is essentially an equivalent of the word “because.”
Let me give you an example.
“Since I knew I would be free on the weekend, I agreed to participate in the rally.”
Or…
“Since you’re now a college student, you should be more organized.”
In these cases, the word “since” works pretty much like the word “because.” For example, you could say,
“Because I knew I would be free on the weekend, I agreed to participate in the rally.”
It’s just a bit more elegant to use the word “since” instead of the word “because” when using it in the beginning of a sentence.
How would you use it to give yourself a boost of creativity?
It’s very easy. When you feel you’re stuck and out of ideas, simply start a new sentence and write the first word: “Since…”
Remember – any sentence that begins with “since” must have two parts: the fact and what follows from that fact. Let’s look at this sentence again:
“Since I knew I would be free on the weekend, I agreed to participate in the rally.”
Here, the first part is “I knew I would be free on the weekend.” This is the fact. I knew I would be free. In my mind, it is a fact.
Now, here’s the second part: “I agreed to participate in the rally.” This is what follows from that fact. Since I knew I’d be free, I agreed to participate.
In other words, part two is logically dependent on part one. If I am free, I can participate.
Please note that each of the parts is a complete sentence with its own subject and verb.
“I knew” – these are a subject and a verb.
“I agreed” – these are a subject and a verb, as well.
Here’s your formula for using the power word “Since”:
Since [Part 1], [Part 2].
And here’s the formula in more detail:
Since [Subject 1 + Verb 1], [Subject 2 + Verb 2].
You can use this formula whenever you hit the writer’s block. Here’s exactly how to break through.
Step 1. Simply start a new sentence by writing or typing the word “Since…”
Step 2. Now your brain is looking for the fact to state because it knows that it needs one. And it will find it:
“The weather is nice.”
Or,
“It’s hard to find a good plumber.”
Whatever is relevant to your essay and to the particular section in it – write it down.
Step 3. Now your brain is already on the lookout for what follows from that fact. So, just come up with the logical conclusion you’re making from it:
“Since the weather is nice, we could go to the beach.”
“Since it’s hard to find a good plumber, I might as well just fix the faucet myself.”
See how this works? Once you’ve practiced this a few times, your brain will know exactly what to do to produce quality material every time you start a new sentence with the power word “since.”
By the way, I created a video lesson on this power word. Here it is:
Make these power words your own and watch your grades go up!
Tutor Phil
Hi, Phil
I want to ask a question, sorry if it doesn’t fit in. I just couldn’t find appropriate section on this web site. Could you explain me the difference between important to and important for?
Thanks beforehand
As a quick rule of thumb:
Things are usually important to people and for things and processes. For example:
This website is important to many students.
Learning articles is important for writing better essays.
You may also use the important with in :
Knowing how to write is important in my work.
Hope this helps.
Phil,
MANY THANKS
YOUR EXPLANATIONS ARE VERY SIMPLE, CLEAR AND USEFUL.
By the way, what is a quick rule of thumb?
Best regards
Basically, it’s a rule that is not scientific and, therefore, not 100% accurate, but it gives a quick result that is good enough in most cases.
It’s clear. I’m satisfied even with 99% result 🙂
Thanks
You’re always welcome, Remula.
Phil
Tutor Phil,
Dear Sir,
Still I am not clear about the phrase “as a quick rule of thumb” as you mentioned in the reply to Remula. Could you please tell me about the rule some more?
Sure.
The expression “rule of thumb” comes from an anecdote that is most likely fiction. In 18-th century England, there lived a judge who proposed that it was okay to beat your wife if the stick which you use to do it is no thicker than your thumb. I know that this is horrible, but it’s most likely just a made-up story about a judge who was simply known to be very strict.
So, this means that if you want to measure something, but don’t have an exact tool, you can use some sort of an approximation that will give you a pretty accurate measuring result for the time being. For example, if you need to measure the distance between two trees in your yard, but don’t have a measuring tape handy, you can use your feet to measure it up if you know the approximate size of your foot. That way, you’re using the “rule of thumb,” so to speak.
In my own teaching, I come up with a lot of rule-of-thumb tools for you to get quick results instead of burying yourself in the books and forget everything anyway.
By the way, Arumairathnam, how is our thesis statement coming? I know that sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds. But all it takes is sitting down for a few minutes, trying to figure it out. I’m looking forward to your new thesis statement, and feel free to ask more questions if you need more guidance or clarification, okay?
You see, I don’t want you to write a complete essay for me yet – not until you have written a good opening paragraph. This is because if you can learn how to write a really good thesis paragraph, the rest of your essay will almost write itself. You’ll see. It works like magic. Just keep trying – I believe in you.
Talk to you soon.
Hi Phil !
Don’t you feel that the simplest words can express profoundest idea. Or you feel that high sounding or bombastic words or grandiloquent words need to be used to impress the readers. I have often seen non native speakers and writers do that. Is it just to be noticed or do you feel that simple words can do needful and appeal to the masses.
Cheers.
Sanjay
Sanjay,
You’re asking a very good question.
I happen to be a fan of the simplest way to say something. However, the main purpose of words is to convey meaning, and we must use the most precise language in order to express ourselves as clearly and effectively as possible. And some arguments are more complex than others. Therefore, simple words will not always do the job.
The problem is that too many writers use excessively pompous and grandiloquent language to express the simplest ideas. This will turn off a reader more than anything. Consider this:
People propose that it is parents who play the most important role in teaching anybody. From my perspective, I totally approve of this proposition.
All the author is really trying to say is this:
Parents are the most important teachers.
That’s it! You don’t need perspectives; you don’t need to approve of anything; and you don’t need propositions in order to put forth such a simple statement. And you certainly don’t need 24 words when 6 will do the job.
Do you agree?
Phil
Hi Phil !
Cheers !
I am glad you share more or less the same idea as I do. In my years of teaching career I have come across many writers who convey their ideas in simplest words. One need not be very pompous to express a simple idea. The whole purpose is to communicate and not just to show off.
I do agree with you that when only 6 words are required there is no need to use 24 words. I call it verbal diarrhea!
Do you agree?
Sanjay
Hi tutor Phil,
I know you are an expert in essay writing. Could you help me with GRE essays? I cannot exactly understand main requirements for Issue and Argument essays according to the GRE programme, whereas you are good in explaining difficult rules in simple way. I’m looking forward to your reply.
Best regards
Hi, Remula!
I’m not an expert in GRE, so I wouldn’t risk giving you advice on that particular kind of an exam. Not yet, anyway.
But my guess is that an essay is an essay, and you just have to read the requirements carefully and think, think, think.
One thing to remember is that whoever grades those tests are human beings. And if they read a well-structured and clearly written argument, you can’t lose.
In this case, everything you’ve learned from me so far applies to writing ANY expository essay. If they require a certain format, just familiarize yourself with it and follow the instructions as carefully as you can.
This is the best I can do before I look into the GRE-type of essays. And thanks for giving me the idea to explore standardized test essays.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Phil.
Hi, tutor Phil
(Should I use a coma after “hi”? In my native language I should, but English speakers say it’s wrong in English)
Thank you for the reply. I see you. I’ll try, but I believe that you will become an expert in this issue soon too 🙂
P.S. In my country – Azerbaijan we celebrate the day of love on 30th June in honor of the wedding date of the Azeri pair, where love was so strong that the wife (Fariza) committed suicide after the murder of her husband (Ilham) by the Russian military forces in Baku on 20th January 1990, when the Azerbaijanis demanded freedom from the Soviet Union.
Best regards
It appears that a comma after Hi is unnecessary.
In fact, it’s a bit weird.
Phil
Hi, Tutor Phil!
My name is Sonya and I’m from Kyrgyzstan. It’s my first university year and here’s my first essay. The problem is that I can’t understand what the composition teacher wants from me, in addition, english is my second language, so could you ple-ease edit this essay?
The topic: describe one character trait of a person you know and support it with examples.
My brother
My brother places his own opinions higher than those of other people. He is self-confident enough to go against the will of the people in authority or even of his own family in order to do what feels appropriate to him. But it doesn’t mean that his decisions are always correct: sometimes they have negative results and sometimes it’s difficult to say whether they are right or wrong at all.
Often my brother is right to persist in his opinion. Once my brother neglected his biology teacher’s order to prepare for the Biology Contest, saying that he wasn’t going to become a dentist, so studying math instead and taking part in the Math Contest would be more practical for him. The teacher took offence: the tradition was that teachers were the ones who had a right to choose, and students had to obey to save their grades. It also seemed foolish and thoughtless, because his school never got good places on the Math Contest, moreover, the math teacher went abroad that year. But my brother didn’t even want to listen to anybody, instead he began studying math on his own and somehow took the second place.
There are situations when we don’t know whether to criticize him or not, for example in his choice of religion. There were two points of view on religion in our family: one half were the members of some branch of American Christian religion, while the others were rather atheists. And suddenly my brother transformed to the Orthodox Christianity. At first we thought it was just a temporary hobby, but he seemed to take it very seriously: he kept the fast, read religious books, and hang icons in a corner of his room. Mom was far from satisfied with his choice, dad also thought that it was a bit too much, but they haven’t been able to make him change his mind so far, and it even doesn’t seem moral to make him change it.
Sometimes my brother’s overconfidence has clearly negative effects. This summer he decided to fix some minor wrecks on my computer. I asked him not to do it as he didn’t know much about the subject, but he turned a deaf ear to it. As soon as I was out, he was digging into the computer. Now it is already a month since I took it to a repair centre and they still don’t know why exactly the computer doesn’t work.
My brother’s self-assurance has not only positive, but also negative and at times indefinite effects. I think it isn’t a bad character trait at all, but it would be better if he listened to other people occasionally, especially to us, his family. I have already told him so several times, but, of course, he knows better than that.
Sonya,
This essay is almost PERFECT, okay?
You are obviously very smart, and it put a smile on my face to read it after you writing that this is your first college essay and you don’t understand what your teacher wants. At this point, regardless of what your teacher wants, this essay is crystal clear and is filled with relevant and strong support for your thesis.
Now, I gave you a link to a page with a good explanation of a narrative essay, but I seriously doubt that you need that information. You already know how to write.
Why did I say that it’s almost perfect? Because of one important piece your thesis statement is missing as well as a couple of minor grammatical mistakes. Let’s look at your thesis first.
Your main point is that your brother tends to disobey others and do his own thing, which results in either a good, uncertain, or a bad outcome (in that order).
And your evidence supports this point perfectly in three sections:
A. Disobeying leads to a Good thing. (par. 2)
B. Disobeying leads to an Uncertain thing. (par. 3)
C. Disobeying leads to a Bad thing. (par. 4)
My only issue is that in your thesis statement you directly mention only the negative or uncertain results:
But it doesn’t mean that his decisions are always correct: sometimes they have negative results and sometimes it’s difficult to say whether they are right or wrong at all.
You kind of hint at a possibility of good outcomes by saying that “it doesn’t mean that his decisions are always correct.” But I would prefer it if you outlined the entire support clearly and directly in your thesis statement. For example:
My brother places his own opinions higher than those of other people. He is self-confident enough to go against the will of the people in authority or even of his own family in order to do what feels appropriate to him. But it doesn’t mean that His decisions are always sometimes correct; sometimes other times it’s difficult to say whether they are right or wrong at all; and sometimes they lead to a negative outcome.
And now here are a couple of grammatical corrections.
It also seemed foolish and thoughtless, because his school never got good places on the Math Contest, moreover, the math teacher went abroad that year.
This is a real run-on sentence. You must use a period after Math Contest:
It also seemed foolish and thoughtless, because his school never got good places on the Math Contest. Moreover, the math teacher went abroad that year.
Read my post on How to Avoid Run-on Sentences.
Also,
he hang icons he hung icons.
Other than this stuff, I must say: Excellent work – keep it up!
Phil
P.S. Oh – yes, and don’t forget to let me know the grade. 🙂
This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I
have found something which helped me. Thank you!
Very good article. I’m experiencing a few of these issues as well..