Why Your Connector Choices Matter More Than You Think
Every SPM English essay I mark has the same problem: students use “and”, “but”, “so”, and “because” — and almost nothing else.
This is a problem because the SPM marking scheme specifically awards marks for varied and appropriate use of linking devices. If your essay reads like “I did this and then I did that but it was hard so I tried again,” you’re losing marks you could easily gain.
After 8 years of tutoring 2,000+ students, I’ve compiled the connectors that make the biggest difference in SPM essays. Here are 40+ options organised by function, with examples showing exactly how to use each one.
Addition Connectors (Adding Information)
These replace “and” when you’re adding another point:
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| Furthermore | Social media affects mental health. Furthermore, it reduces face-to-face communication. |
| Moreover | The project was expensive. Moreover, it was behind schedule. |
| In addition | Students should read widely. In addition, they should practise writing daily. |
| Besides | The school lacks funding. Besides, it has a shortage of qualified teachers. |
| What is more | The plan is impractical. What is more, it ignores the needs of rural communities. |
| Not only… but also | He is not only hardworking but also creative. |
| Apart from that | The food was delicious. Apart from that, the service was excellent. |
SPM tip: Use “Furthermore” or “Moreover” to start your second and third body paragraphs in argumentative essays. It immediately signals a new supporting point.
Contrast Connectors (Showing Differences)
These replace “but” when showing an opposing idea:
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| However | Many students study hard. However, they still struggle with English. |
| Nevertheless | The task was difficult. Nevertheless, the students completed it on time. |
| On the other hand | Online learning is convenient. On the other hand, it lacks personal interaction. |
| Although / Even though | Although he was tired, he continued studying. |
| Despite / In spite of | Despite the rain, the event was a success. |
| Whereas | Urban students have internet access, whereas rural students often do not. |
| Conversely | Some students thrive under pressure. Conversely, others perform worse. |
SPM tip: “However” is the single most useful connector for argumentative essays. Place it at the start of your counter-argument paragraph.
Cause Connectors (Showing Reasons)
These replace “because” when explaining why something happens:
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| Due to | Due to heavy traffic, many students arrive late. |
| Owing to | Owing to the lack of resources, the project was delayed. |
| As a result of | As a result of poor planning, the event was cancelled. |
| Since | Since the school introduced the programme, results have improved. |
| As | As the deadline approached, students became more stressed. |
| On account of | On account of his dedication, he was selected as head prefect. |
Result Connectors (Showing Consequences)
These replace “so” when showing what happened as a consequence:
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| Therefore | The evidence is clear. Therefore, action must be taken immediately. |
| Consequently | He missed many classes. Consequently, his grades dropped. |
| As a result | The river was polluted. As a result, many fish died. |
| Hence | There was no supervision. Hence, discipline problems arose. |
| Thus | The plan was well-executed. Thus, the event was a great success. |
| For this reason | English is a global language. For this reason, mastering it opens many doors. |
SPM tip: End your body paragraphs with result connectors. They create a logical chain: point → evidence → result.
Example Connectors (Giving Examples)
These introduce specific examples to support your points:
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| For example | Students can volunteer in their community. For example, they can help at the local library. |
| For instance | Technology has changed education. For instance, online classes are now common. |
| Such as | Outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling promote physical fitness. |
| To illustrate | Teamwork builds character. To illustrate, consider how sports teams learn cooperation. |
| In particular | Social media has many negative effects. In particular, cyberbullying has become widespread. |
Emphasis Connectors (Stressing Importance)
These highlight key points in your argument:
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| Indeed | Practice is important. Indeed, it is the most critical factor in improvement. |
| In fact | Many believe it is easy. In fact, it requires years of dedicated effort. |
| Undoubtedly | Education is undoubtedly the foundation of national progress. |
| Without a doubt | This is, without a doubt, the most pressing issue facing youth today. |
| Most importantly | Good grades matter. Most importantly, character development shapes your future. |
Conclusion Connectors (Wrapping Up)
These signal that you’re ending your essay:
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| In conclusion | In conclusion, technology brings both benefits and challenges. |
| To sum up | To sum up, regular exercise improves both physical and mental health. |
| All in all | All in all, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. |
| On the whole | On the whole, the initiative has been a positive development. |
| In short | In short, success requires discipline, effort, and the right guidance. |
| Ultimately | Ultimately, the choice lies in our hands. |
SPM tip: Never end an essay with just “In conclusion.” Add a final thought, recommendation, or call to action after it.
How to Use Connectors Without Sounding Forced
The biggest mistake students make is stuffing every sentence with a connector. This is what that looks like:
“Furthermore, social media is addictive. Moreover, it wastes time. In addition, it causes eye strain. Besides, it reduces productivity.”
That reads like a robot wrote it. Instead, mix connector types and use them naturally:
“Social media is undeniably addictive. Students often spend hours scrolling through feeds, which reduces their study time significantly. Moreover, the blue light from screens causes eye strain and disrupts sleep patterns. For these reasons, setting daily screen time limits is essential.”
The rule: Use 2-3 different connectors per paragraph, not one per sentence.
Practice Exercise: Upgrade These Sentences
Try replacing the basic connectors with advanced ones:
- “I studied hard and I also did past papers.” → ?
- “He was sick but he came to school.” → ?
- “It rained so the match was cancelled.” → ?
- “She failed because she didn’t study.” → ?
Suggested answers:
- “I studied hard. In addition, I completed several past papers.”
- “Despite being sick, he came to school.”
- “It rained heavily. Consequently, the match was cancelled.”
- “She failed due to a lack of preparation.”
Build This Skill Into Your Essay Writing
Connectors are one part of the grammar and sentence structure skills that SPM rewards. Combined with strong essay writing techniques, they can transform a Band 3 essay into a Band 5.
In our Extended Writing & Essay program, we teach students to use connectors naturally through weekly essay practice with detailed feedback. 83% of our students improve by 2+ grades within a year.
Want personalised feedback on your essay writing? Chat with us on WhatsApp to find out how we can help you write better essays.