SIGNALS

Capital Community College
Hartford, Connecticut

Catching Signals in Classroom Lectures
Assuming that your instructor speaks at an average speed -- at about 120 words per minute, say -- you could hear 6000 words in a 50-minute lecture. That's a lot of words! and that's a lot of ideas, facts, and details, too. To help you organize your notes on those words and to help you catch the most important moments within a lecture, here are some "signal words and phrases" that denote when a lecturer is stressing something or otherwise imposing order on his or her material. Tuning in to these words will help you discover the flow of thought and order of importance that shaped the instructor's thinking. In your notes, then, you might be able to re-establish that flow and order for your own thinking.

Signal Words
or Phrases: You should think:
Example words
to illustrate
for example
for instance The professor wants to clarify the point just made. I'd better write this down or I will forget it.
Time Words
before
after
formerly
subsequently
prior
meanwhile A time relationship is being established. What came first and what came last? what came in between?
Addition Words
furthermore
in addition
moreover
also This seems to be an addition to the list I have already made. I had better write it down.
Cause and Effect Words
therefore
as a result
if . . . then
accordingly
thus
so This is a cause and effect word. I had better write the word effect in my notes. Later, I will go back and write the word cause to label the preceding points.
Contrast Words
on the other hand
in contrast
conversely
pros and cons This is important for me to know: the other side of the picture, the research that contradicts what has already been said.
Enumeration Words
the four steps
first, second, third, etc.
next
finally These steps are important or the professor would not be listing them this way. I'd better get them down in order.
Emphasis Words
more importantly
above all
remember this This sounds like a hint that I should remember this idea.
Repeat Words
in other words
in the vernacular
it simply means
that is
briefly
in essence Simplifying a complex idea or simplifying a long-winded explanation. I'd better make a note of this.
Swivel Words
however
nevertheless
yet
but
still This is a warning that there is a little bit of doubt or give-back on the point just made. I should note this qualifying remark.
Concession Words
to be sure
of course
granted
indeed
though These are similar to swivel words. The professor is admitting that the opposition has a point or two. Make a note of it.
Summary Words
in a nutshell
to sum up
in conclusion I'll try to write this summary word for word; then I can study it thoroughly when I begin my review.
Test Clues
this is important
remember this
you'll see this again
here's a pitfall Sounds like a potential test item. I'd better try to get this word for word.

The material above is based on a handout prepared by Sarah Lazare for the Center for Academic Development at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is used here with CAD's permission.

Learning Center
Capital Community College

Signal Words or Phrases:	You should think:
Example words to illustrate for example for instance	The professor wants to clarify the point just made. I'd better write this down or I will forget it.
Time Words before after formerly subsequently prior meanwhile	A time relationship is being established. What came first and what came last? what came in between?
Addition Words furthermore in addition moreover also	This seems to be an addition to the list I have already made. I had better write it down.
Cause and Effect Words therefore as a result if . . . then accordingly thus so	This is a cause and effect word. I had better write the word effect in my notes. Later, I will go back and write the word cause to label the preceding points.
Contrast Words on the other hand in contrast conversely pros and cons	This is important for me to know: the other side of the picture, the research that contradicts what has already been said.
Enumeration Words the four steps first, second, third, etc. next finally	These steps are important or the professor would not be listing them this way. I'd better get them down in order.
Emphasis Words more importantly above all remember this	This sounds like a hint that I should remember this idea.
Repeat Words in other words in the vernacular it simply means that is briefly in essence	Simplifying a complex idea or simplifying a long-winded explanation. I'd better make a note of this.
Swivel Words however nevertheless yet but still	This is a warning that there is a little bit of doubt or give-back on the point just made. I should note this qualifying remark.
Concession Words to be sure of course granted indeed though	These are similar to swivel words. The professor is admitting that the opposition has a point or two. Make a note of it.
Summary Words in a nutshell to sum up in conclusion	I'll try to write this summary word for word; then I can study it thoroughly when I begin my review.
Test Clues this is important remember this you'll see this again here's a pitfall	Sounds like a potential test item. I'd better try to get this word for word.

Capital Community College Hartford, Connecticut

Capital Community College
Hartford, Connecticut