Guides
150 Words to Use in an Essay for Better Writing
Author:
Martin Buckley
Last Updated:
Jun 12, 202511 min
Ever had a moment when your essay sounded fine, but you knew it was just too plain? The next time that happens, know that the right essay words can fix that. Below are a few examples that can make your arguments land clearly with the reader:
- Furthermore – for additional information
- Therefore – for showing logical outcomes
- In other words – for explaining something in simpler terms
- As a result – for connecting cause and effect
- Significantly – for highlighting key points
- It is evident that – for drawing attention to proof
This article will show you some useful words to use in an essay, based on whether you need them for your introduction, body paragraphs, or conclusion.
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Words to Use in Essay Introduction
The hardest part of essay writing is usually kicking it off. Knowing how to handle writing that first paragraph is the fastest way to write an essay without getting off track. Your introductory paragraph does the heaviest lifting in your paper: it sets the tone and hints at your argument straight away, so the reader isn't dropped into your thought process without any context. The right words to start an essay introduction will help you lead your audience into your thesis without much effort.
| Category | Purpose | Phrases to Use |
| Quoting Authorities | Use these when introducing opinions or referencing scholarly work. | According to Dr. Smith; to use the words of Nelson Mandela; as stated by the World Health Organization; in the view of many scholars; as Einstein once noted. |
| Introducing the Thesis | Use these to state your main argument at the start of your essay. | In this essay, I will examine; the purpose of this essay is to explore; this essay aims to demonstrate that; here, I argue that; this paper will discuss. |
| Presenting the First Argument | Use these to begin your first main point after the thesis. | First; first and foremost; to begin with; one of the main arguments is that; initially. |
Words to Use in Essay Body
The body of your essay should explain your arguments and back them up with examples. Naturally, it's also the part where choosing the right essay words matters most. The following section will cover three types of essay words:
- Transitions
- Academic verbs
- Modifiers
The goal here is to make sure everything flows and connects naturally, and the words you choose have a big role in that. And if you're trying to make your essay longer without packing it with filler sentences, a more intentional word choice is the easiest fix.
Transition Words and Phrases
Transitions help your ideas move smoothly from one point to the next, so your writing doesn’t feel disconnected. For example, they're especially useful when you're writing an informative essay, where clarity matters more. Placing even one simple phrase in the right spot can make your paragraph a lot easier for the reader to follow.
To add information:
- Additionally
- Moreover
- In addition
- Not only that
- What’s more
- Besides
To show cause and effect:
- As a result
- Therefore
- Consequently
- Thus
- Hence
- Because of this
To compare ideas:
- Similarly
- Likewise
- In the same way
- Just as
- Equally
To contrast ideas:
- However
- On the other hand
- In contrast
- Yet
- Still
- Nevertheless
To give examples:
- For example
- For instance
- Such as
- To illustrate
- Namely
To conclude or summarize:
- In conclusion
- To sum up
- Overall
- In brief
- Ultimately
- In short
Academic Verbs
Strong verbs do more than just carry a sentence; they decide how your ideas come across. If you find yourself using “shows” or “talks about” on repeat, chances are your writing’s losing its edge. If you want to give your sentences more direction with good vocabulary words to use in an essay, academic verbs are probably just what you need.
To describe what sources do:
- Argues
- Suggests
- States
- Explains
- Proposes
- Claims
- Notes
- Highlights
To analyze or interpret:
- Compares
- Evaluates
- Illustrates
- Examines
- Interprets
- Breaks down
- Investigates
- Analyzes
To connect ideas or actions:
- Leads to
- Results in
- Contributes to
- Reflects
- Reinforces
- Builds on
- Stems from
- Influences
To support your claims:
- Demonstrates
- Proves
- Emphasizes
- Supports
- Validates
- Confirms
- Underscores
- Strengthens
Adjectives and Adverbs for Emphasis
Modifiers like adjectives and adverbs get a bad rep sometimes. Inexperienced writers often use lazy modifiers to make their writing sound more sophisticated, but all they do is fill the essay with fluff. You need to use the adjectives and adverbs in a smarter way, so they can bring your writing to life. The right adjectives call attention to the most important points and lead the reader toward the main idea of your essay.
To emphasize importance or significance:
- Crucial
- Essential
- Key
- Fundamental
- Significant
- Major
- Central
- Critical
To describe tone or degree:
- Slightly
- Considerably
- Strongly
- Clearly
- Deeply
- Severely
- Widely
- Noticeably
To express certainty or doubt:
- Undeniably
- Probably
- Arguably
- Possibly
- Presumably
- Definitely
- Potentially
- Likely
To intensify or soften a point:
- Extremely
- Relatively
- Particularly
- Rarely
- Especially
- Barely
- Quite
- Almost
Words to Use in Essay Conclusion
The concluding paragraph is your essay’s final move. Here, you're not just restating your point, but rather trying to tie everything together in a way that leaves an impression on the reader. The right essay words will help you wrap up your main points without being repetitive. The phrases below are your go-to tools whenever you're figuring out how to end a college essay.
| Category | Purpose | Phrases to Use |
| Summarizing Words | Use these when wrapping up and revisiting your main points. | In conclusion; to summarize; in essence; all in all; in short; overall; as discussed. |
| Words Emphasizing Key Points | Use these to highlight the most important takeaway or final message. | Undoubtedly, importantly, above all, ultimately; clearly; without question; most significantly. |
| Words for Final Thoughts | Use these to end with a broader reflection or encourage the reader to keep thinking. | It should be noted; on the whole; in the final analysis, as a final point; all things considered; from this perspective; looking ahead. |
Build a Smarter Essay Vocabulary
You should never stop learning and using new words. The steps below will teach you how you can grow your vocabulary in actually meaningful ways. Plus, you'll learn which words to avoid in an essay.
- Read better publications: Books, academic articles, and good essays show you how proper writing actually sounds. Reading these will help you learn new vocabulary in context, so you don't have to just memorize them.
- Use word tools: Keep a dictionary and thesaurus nearby. They help you find better alternatives and avoid repeating the same basic words.
- Keep it simple: If a simpler word does the job, go with it. There’s no need to dress things up just to sound academic.
- Know what to avoid: Watch out for vague or weak words like very, a lot, things, or really. They just take up space without adding much meaning.
- Try words out: Use new words wherever you can: in class notes, practice essays, or even everyday conversations. The more natural they feel, the easier they are to use effectively in real writing.
Final Words
Before you hit submit, it’s worth taking a moment to think about the language in your essay. Here are a few key facts you should keep in mind during academic writing:
- The right words make your writing clearer and structured
- Transitions make your ideas connect smoothly from one point to the next
- Academic verbs help your argument sound thoughtful
- Modifiers add focus and emphasis when used well
- Strong vocabulary in your academic essay makes your paper more impactful
- Expanding your word choice takes real practice, not just memorizing long lists
Whenever you're feeling stuck halfway through and think, 'I wish someone could just help write my essay', that’s exactly where WriteMyEssay comes in. Our professional academic writers can give you personalized writing support without any last-minute stress.
FAQ
What Are Good Words to Use in an Essay?
Good essay words are purposeful, and they guide your reader through your thought process. These include transitions like furthermore, however, and for example; academic verbs like demonstrates, analyzes, and argues; and strong modifiers like significant, undeniably, or especially.
What Are the Best Words for Essay Introduction?
The best words for an essay introduction give readers a clear idea of what to expect. Phrases like In this essay, I will..., The purpose of this essay is to..., and According to X... help you introduce your topic and present your thesis. You can also use openers like To begin with or First and foremost before introducing your first argument.
Sources
Royale, O. (2022, December 29). 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays - Oxford Royale. Oxford Royale. https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/words-phrases-good-essays
Vocabulary for Writing Essays. (n.d.). https://www.sydney.edu.au/content/dam/students/documents/learning-resources/learning-centre/writing/vocabulary-for-essays.pdf
