Introducing the key ideas, facts and arguments:

● the main idea of … is …

● the main facts of the text are…

● the author considers (describes, gives a description of, explores, discusses, studies, investigates, examines, determines, finds, establishes, assesses, evaluates, offers, suggests, provides, states, emphasizes, analyzes, summarizes)

● the author performs detailed (careful, thorough, extensive, accurate, comprehensive, brief, short, preliminary, etc) analysis of (on)…

● the author thinks (believes) that…

● the author takes unto account…

outlines

gives full coverage of

comments on…

draws one's attention to…

reminds that…

notes that…

expresses the view that…

argues that…

voices concern about…

is sure that…

● as visualized by the author

● according to the author…/ in the author’s opinion

Comparing

● The author makes/gives a comparison of … with…

● The author makes/gives a comparison between … and…

● In comparison with …

● In contrast to …

Balancing Arguments

● On the one hand … on the other hand…

● On balance…

● To weigh up…

● To take into account…

● One way or the other…

● For and against

● Pros and cons …

● Either way…

Linking Ideas

● To this should be added the fact that…

● It should be mentioned that…

● It led to…

● Thus we have an opportunity to observe

● In addition to …

● On top of that…

● To begin (to start) with

● The author thinks it is right for the following reasons…

Concluding

● Summing it up…/ to sum up / to summarize…

● In conclusion…

● The author winds up by saying…

● By and large…

● All in all…

● On the whole…

● In brief…

● In a word…

● The long and the short of it…

● The author comes to (draws) a conclusion that…

● In a nutshell…

● It is concluded that…

● It is possible to conclude that…

● It may be noted (stated) that…

● As a result…

● Consequently…

● Thus…

From Nerd to Networker

By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine

Being a boffin¹ is no longer going to get graduates the well-paid jobs they want  the stakes have been raised. As well as academic success, employers want people who are able to communicate properly, work as part of a team, are culturally aware and can lead others  skills gained outside the lecture theatre, says Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR).

Traditionally the boffin or nerd was hired for their brains but put in a backroom job and didn't have to communicate much. But those jobs are now few and far between. Employees have to communicate all the time with colleagues and clients so companies want people who can do that effectively. They have higher expectations now.

For those who spend more time with computers than with fellow humans, here's the quick guide to brushing up on the social skills required to get ahead in business.

Communicating. Mumbling², avoiding eye contact, talking to their shoes - the boffin's biggest challenge can often be talking to another human being. They can decipher³ the most complicated equation but trying to work out the social etiquette required to converse with someone else leaves them baffled - and making small talk can be plain scary. The only way to improve communication skills is to get out of the house and actually talk to someone. Following a formula called OPEN should set the socially inept well on their way. It stands for 'occupation, personal, environment and non-work activities.' Use these four areas as the basis of a conversation and the chat should flow. It's all aimed at encouraging small talk.

Team Working. Some students are so focused on one thing  getting their degree  it can come as no surprise when they are no good at team activities after leaving university. They need to get involved in different social groups and mix. At first they will be awful but they will eventually learn the skills they need to be a good team player. Those skills include being a good listener and being assertive, but in a way that is respectful to other people.

Leadership. The ability to lead and inspire a team of people is essential in a lot of jobs. To improve this skill, seek out a role model. Look for someone who has good leadership skills in your own office and watch what they do and what they say. It's called modeling.

Cultural Awareness. Often the day-to-day life of a boffin involves a lot of isolation. But in today's global community, graduates will have to work with people or deal with clients from many different backgrounds. Ignorance can result in an embarrassing faux pas⁵.

Notes

1) boffin = nerd n - исследователь, ученый; человек с всепоглощающим стремлением к учебе, научной деятельности

2) mumble v – бормотать

3) decipher v - расшифровывать, разгадывать

4) small talk - светский разговор

5) faux pas - ложный шаг, ошибка