Signposting:
Guiding readers through your mind
This way for topic sentence.
This way for evidence / source / quotation.
This way for source / quotation analysis.
This way for paragraph closure.
What is signposting?
Signposts allow readers to follow you and be on the same page with you, the writer. Signposting words accentuate the purpose of each sentence and highlight the logical connection between sentences, enabling readers to navigate through your work smoothly and effortlessly.
What does a paragraph without signposts look like?
Eating an apple a day offers several health benefits. Apples provide essential vitamins to boost one’s immune system. Apples are rich in antioxidants, which are critical for cancer prevention. Apples contain fibre, which helps with digestion. Apples not only promote health but also reduce the risk of diseases.
This is a laundry list of sentences, not a coherent paragraph.
With signposting words, sentences flow better.
Eating an apple a day offers several health benefits. Apples provide essential vitamins to boost one’s immune system. Apples are rich in antioxidants, which are critical for cancer prevention. Apples contain fibre, which helps with digestion. Apples not only promote health but also reduce the risk of diseases.
Eating an apple a day offers several health benefits. Firstly, apples provide essential vitamins to boost one’s immune system. Additionally, apples are rich in antioxidants, which are critical for cancer prevention. Furthermore, apples also contain fibre, which helps with digestion. Collectively, apples not only promote health but also reduce the risk of diseases.
Before
After
Different Categories of Signposting Words and Examples
Higher-order Signposting Strategy
Begin the next sentence with information mentioned in the previous one.
Ex: Acadia University offers a variety of academic support services. Among these services, Acadia Writing Centre is in high demand.
Analysis: The latter sentence begins with “services,” which is a piece of information mentioned in the previous sentence. By starting the next sentence with information already mentioned, the writer logically connects the two sentences, closing any gaps that may compromise readability.
We look forward to assisting you at the Acadia Writing Centre.