good adjectives for college essays

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Try These Creative Words When Describing College

Table of Contents

College is an adventure. It’s a chance to make lifelong friends, become a part of a community, learn new things and figure out who you are. There are many words that you can use to describe this enriching experience. And we’re here to help you with a long list of  adjectives to describe college .

Adjectives work well to add more depth to your sentences. They can even make an uninteresting subject seem interesting in your readers’ eyes. So get ready to spice up your sentences by adding these creative and fun words to describe college.

What are Adjectives?

Adjectives are basically words that are used to describe nouns and pronouns . They can describe anything from an object, feeling, event, and so on. And you can use them to talk about different characteristics that make a subject unique. This can include their:

• Traits, and so on

Why Adjectives are Important

Without adjectives, it would be impossible to adequately describe or give the reader a sense of what something feels, smells, or sounds like. They allow us to paint a picture in our reader’s minds and make sentences as vivid as we want them to be.

You can use a combination of adjectives with identifiers to add more details to the noun in your sentence. Or you can also use strong adjectives that can provide a more powerful image in a single word . Instead of saying something is “very big,” you may use strong adjectives like “huge” or “massive.”

Creative Adjectives to Describe College

• Exciting : something that causes great eagerness and enthusiasm
• Jam-packed : full of fun school activities and people
• Social : bringing together students with different interests and personalities
• Adventurous : offering an opportunity to experience new things
• Refreshing : bringing about a feeling of newness and vitality, such as your first time doing something or your first year in college
• Fun : something that triggers high levels of joy and pleasure
• Unmatched : of extremely high quality and value, the best compared to others
• Interesting : makes a student curious, eliciting thought and reflection
• Unique : an experience that’s completely different than anything else
• Active : a word that’s associated with movement and with new experiences
• Powerful : a great way to describe experiences or lessons that leave you with a significant impact.
• Enthusiastic : an energetic word that describes someone who is extremely excited and driven to do something
• Humbling : a powerful word that refers to the sense of humility you experience when you learn something.
• Depressing : used to describe a time when you feel disheartened and let down by something.
• Fantastic : describes a delightful experience
• Inspiring : a word that’s associated with encouragement, inspiration, and strength
• Marvelous : used to describe something wonderful, delightful, or amazing
• Outstanding : describes a top-notch or exceptional performance, achievement, or experience.
• Remarkable : something extraordinary, amazing, or notable
• Confusing : a subject that you find puzzling and difficult to understand
• Terrifying : meant to describe something scary, dreadful and dreadful, or a bad event.
• Challenging : something that you find difficult and demands a considerable amount of effort to accomplish

There are so many words that can effectively describe the highs and lows of your college life. With the help of this list of  adjectives to describe college , you can find inspiration for your college essay and other writing assignments. Make sure to try them out and see which will fit the thought of your paper best.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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• Conjunctions
• Prepositions

College Adjectives: A Complete List with Examples

College life is an exciting and transformative experience that shapes us in countless ways. From the bustling campus atmosphere to the intellectual challenges, there’s no denying that college is a unique journey. But how do we capture the essence of this incredible chapter in just a few words? That’s where adjectives come in. In this article, I’ll be sharing a comprehensive list of adjectives that perfectly describe the college experience, along with examples to bring them to life. So whether you’re a prospective student or a nostalgic graduate, get ready to dive into the world of adjectives for college and discover the words that encapsulate this remarkable time in our lives.

When it comes to college, one word simply isn’t enough to capture the breadth and depth of the experience. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, challenges, and growth, and it deserves to be described with the richness and nuance it deserves. That’s why I’ve compiled this extensive list of adjectives that will help you paint a vivid picture of what college is all about. From describing the vibrant campus culture to the rigorous academic environment, these adjectives will help you express the essence of the college experience in a way that words alone cannot.

So, whether you’re writing a college essay, preparing for an interview, or simply reflecting on your own college memories, this list of adjectives will be your go-to resource. Get ready to explore the world of adjectives for college and uncover the perfect words to describe this transformative journey.

Table of Contents

How to Describe college? – Different Scenarios

When it comes to describing college, there are various scenarios that capture the essence of the experience. From the bustling campus atmosphere to the academic challenges, each aspect of college life can be described using specific adjectives. Here are some scenarios and the adjectives that best describe them:

• Campus Atmosphere
• Academic Challenges
• Extracurricular Involvement
• Personal Growth
• Social Life
• Career Preparation

Remember, these adjectives can be useful for writing college essays, preparing for interviews, or reflecting on personal college memories. They help convey the unique experiences and emotions associated with college life. Share your experiences and describe your college journey using these adjectives to capture the essence of your transformative years.

Describing Words for college in English

When it comes to describing the college experience, finding the right words can make all the difference. As a seasoned writer, I understand the importance of using adjectives to capture the essence of this transformative journey. In this section, I will provide you with a comprehensive list of adjectives that describe various aspects of college life.

1. Campus Atmosphere

• Welcoming: The campus atmosphere was warm and inviting, making me feel right at home.
• Vibrant: The campus was always buzzing with energy, with students engaged in various activities and conversations.
• Serene: The campus had a tranquil and peaceful environment, perfect for studying and reflection.

2. Academic Challenges

• Intellectual: The academic challenges pushed me to expand my knowledge and think critically.
• Stimulating: The classes were engaging and thought-provoking, sparking my curiosity and driving my desire to learn.
• Rigorous: The academic workload was demanding, but it prepared me for future endeavors and challenges.

3. Extracurricular Involvement

• Enriching: Participating in extracurricular activities provided me with valuable opportunities to develop new skills and interests.
• Collaborative: Being part of different clubs and organizations allowed me to work with like-minded individuals and foster meaningful connections.
• Impactful: Through my involvement, I was able to make a positive impact in my college community and beyond.

4. Personal Growth

• Transformative: College was a transformative experience that shaped me into a more independent and self-aware individual.
• Empowering: The college journey empowered me to discover my passions, strengths, and potential for success.
• Reflective: I had the chance to reflect on my values, beliefs, and goals, leading to personal growth and self-discovery.

5. Social Life

• Lively: The social scene on campus was always lively, with events and gatherings fostering a sense of community.
• Inclusive: College provided a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone was welcomed and accepted.
• Memorable: The friendships I formed and the memories I created during college will forever hold a special place in my heart.
• Marketable: The college experience equipped me with the skills and knowledge that make me valuable in the job market.
• Practical: The curriculum included practical applications of theoretical concepts, preparing me for real-world challenges.
• Networking: College facilitated networking opportunities that allowed me to connect with professionals in my

Adjectives for college

Positive adjectives for college with 12 example sentences.

During my college experience, I encountered many positive aspects that made the journey truly unforgettable. Here are some adjectives that aptly describe the positive elements of college life, along with example sentences to illustrate their meaning:

• Exciting – College is an exciting time filled with new opportunities and challenges. For example, landing my first internship was a truly exciting moment.
• Inspiring – The college environment is inspiring as it fosters intellectual growth and creative thinking. Attending thought-provoking lectures by renowned professors was always inspiring.
• Supportive – The college community is incredibly supportive , offering resources and assistance whenever needed. My classmates were always willing to lend a helping hand.
• Engaging – The variety of courses and extracurricular activities make college life engaging . Joining the debate club allowed me to engage in stimulating discussions on important topics.
• Transformative – College has a transformative power that shapes individuals into their best selves. The leadership program I participated in was truly transformative.
• Rewarding – The college experience is rewarding in both academic and personal growth. Receiving recognition for my hard work with a scholarship was incredibly rewarding.
• Diverse – College campuses are diverse , which exposes students to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives. Interacting with international students broadened my horizons.
• Challenging – College can be challenging , but it encourages personal and intellectual growth. Completing a complex research project was a challenging but rewarding experience.
• Vibrant – The college atmosphere is vibrant , with lively events, clubs, and a bustling social life. The annual music festival created a vibrant and energetic atmosphere on campus.
• Stimulating – College provides a stimulating academic environment where students are encouraged to think critically. Participating in a stimulating philosophy seminar expanded my analytical skills.
• Empowering – College is an empowering experience that allows individuals to find their voice and pursue their passions. Organizing a successful charity event was an empowering moment.
• Memorable – The college journey is filled with memorable experiences and lifelong friendships. Graduation day was a truly memorable and emotional moment in my life.

Negative Adjectives for College with 5 Example Sentences

While college offers numerous positive experiences, there can also be challenges and negative aspects. Here are some negative adjectives that describe certain elements of college life:

• Stressful – College can be stressful due to academic demands and deadlines. Balancing multiple assignments and exams can be overwhelming.
• Isolating – The college experience can sometimes feel isolating when students struggle to find their place or form meaningful connections.
• Expensive – College education can be expensive due to tuition fees, textbooks, and living expenses. Financial burdens can add stress to the college experience.
• Competitive – College environments can be competitive , with students vying for top grades and internships. The pressure to excel can be intense.
• Exhausting – The demanding nature of college can make it exhausting both physically and mentally. Late-night study sessions and long days of classes can be draining.

While negative experiences and challenges exist in college, it’s important to remember that they are opportunities for growth and learning. The overall college experience is a transformative journey that shapes individuals into who they are today.

Synonyms and Antonyms with Example Sentences

Synonyms for college.

When it comes to describing college, there are several synonyms that can help capture the essence of the experience. Here are a few synonyms for college, along with example sentences to illustrate their usage:

Antonyms for college

On the other hand, if you want to discuss the opposite of college or highlight the contrasting aspects, here are a few antonyms for college:

Remember, college is a transformative journey filled with growth, learning, and unique experiences. By using these synonyms and antonyms, you can vividly describe the various aspects of the college experience to paint a clear picture for your audience.

As we conclude our exploration of adjectives for college, we have discovered a range of descriptive words that capture the essence of this transformative journey. By using synonyms such as “university,” “higher education,” “institution of higher learning,” and “alma mater,” we can paint a vivid picture of the college experience.

On the other hand, antonyms like “high school,” “elementary school,” “preschool,” and “kindergarten” provide a contrasting perspective, highlighting the unique nature of college compared to earlier stages of education.

College is a time of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences. It’s a place where we forge lifelong friendships, pursue our passions, and prepare for our future careers. By incorporating these descriptive words into our writing, we can effectively convey the significance and impact of the college experience.

So whether you’re a student, a parent, or someone reflecting on their college years, remember to choose your words wisely when describing this incredible chapter of life. Let the power of adjectives bring your college memories to life on the page.

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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

By Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

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Hannah Yang

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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