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Digital thinking tools for better decision making
Digital thinking tools for better decision making

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4.2 Identifying relationships in text

To determine whether a support or oppose relation holds between two or more statements, look out for connecting words or phrases. These are not always present. However, if they are, they can provide helpful clues. Table 1 lists a few examples of connecting words and phrases and the most likely relation that they communicate.

Table 1 Connecting words and phrases and the likely relationships they convey
TextConnecting word/phraseLikely relationship
A because B.becauseB supports A
A therefore B.thereforeA supports B
A for example, B.for exampleB supports A
A. First, B. Second, C. Finally, D.first, second, finallyB, C and D support A
A but nevertheless B.but neverthelessA opposes B
A. However B.howeverB opposes A