Complete Italian Course · B2
Lesson 31: Connettivi Testuali Avanzati
Essay and argumentative connectors beyond B1 · Nondimeno, per giunta, in effetti, ciò nonostante, orbene · Structuring a longer written argument
CEFR Level B2B2 · Lesson 7 of 8Table of Contents
01🎯
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
✔Use advanced addition/reinforcement connectors like per giunta and in effetti correctly
✔Use higher-register contrast and concession connectors beyond nonostante and tuttavia
✔Use nondimeno, ciò nonostante, and orbene to structure formal written arguments
✔Organize a short essay using a coherent chain of connectors from opening to conclusion
⏱️ Study time: ~2 hours. These connectors belong squarely in writing — essays, formal reports, structured arguments — more than in spoken conversation.
02➕
Adding & Reinforcing an Argument
You know inoltre and anche from earlier levels. These connectors do the same basic job — adding a point — but with more precision about how that new point relates to what came before.
| Connector👇 Click below 🔊 | Phonetic | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| per giunta | pehr JOON-tah | and what's more, on top of that | Il progetto è in ritardo; per giunta, è anche sopra budget. |
| in effetti | een ehf-FEHT-tee | indeed, in fact (confirming/reinforcing) | Sembrava una buona idea. In effetti, ha funzionato benissimo. |
| a tal proposito | ah tahl proh-POH-zee-toh | on that note, regarding that | A tal proposito, vorrei aggiungere un dato. |
| non solo... ma anche | nohn SOH-loh... mah AHN-keh | not only... but also | Non solo ha vinto, ma ha anche battuto il record. |
💡 In effetti is a false-friend trap: it doesn't mean "in effect" in the English sense of "as a result" — it means "indeed/actually," confirming or reinforcing what was just said.
03⚔️
Contrast & Concession Beyond B1
You already have nonostante, tuttavia, and benché from B1. These higher-register alternatives belong specifically in formal essays and structured argument, where B1's connectors would feel slightly plain.
| Connector👇 Click below 🔊 | Phonetic | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| nondimeno | nohn-dee-MEH-noh | nevertheless (formal tuttavia) | I dati sono incompleti; nondimeno, la tendenza è chiara. |
| ciò nonostante | choh noh-noh-STAHN-teh | despite that, that notwithstanding | Aveva pochi mezzi. Ciò nonostante, riuscì a laurearsi. |
| per contro | pehr KOHN-troh | on the other hand, conversely | Il piano A è più economico; per contro, richiede più tempo. |
| a discapito di | ah dee-SKAH-pee-toh dee | at the expense of, to the detriment of | Ha scelto la velocità a discapito della qualità. |
🔑 Nondimeno / Ciò Nonostante vs Tuttavia
All three mean "however/nevertheless," but nondimeno and ciò nonostante sit noticeably higher in register than tuttavia — reach for them in formal essays, and for tuttavia in everyday writing or speech that's still reasonably careful.
04🏁
Consequence, Conclusion & Summary
Beyond quindi and perciò, these connectors let you draw conclusions, summarize, and transition into a closing argument with real formal polish.
| Connector👇 Click below 🔊 | Phonetic | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| orbene | ohr-BEH-neh | now then, well then (transitions into a conclusion — quite literary) | Orbene, cosa possiamo concludere da questi dati? |
| in definitiva | een deh-fee-nee-TEE-vah | ultimately, when all is said and done | In definitiva, il progetto ha raggiunto il suo scopo. |
| in sintesi | een SEEN-teh-zee | in summary | In sintesi, i vantaggi superano gli svantaggi. |
| alla luce di quanto detto | AHL-lah LOO-cheh dee KWAHN-toh DEHT-toh | in light of what has been said | Alla luce di quanto detto, la proposta va approvata. |
⚠️ Orbene is genuinely literary/rhetorical — it belongs in a formal essay's transition into an argument or conclusion, not in a business email. Overusing it outside writing will sound theatrical.
05🗣️
Dialogues
Scene 1 — Debating a University Policy (Written Style, Read Aloud)
RELATORE A
La proposta riduce i costi. In effetti, i primi dati lo confermano.
The proposal reduces costs. Indeed, the initial data confirms it.
RELATORE B
Nondimeno, va considerato l'impatto sul personale, che per giunta non è stato consultato.
Nevertheless, the impact on staff should be considered, which moreover hasn't been consulted.
RELATORE A
Un punto valido. Ciò nonostante, credo che i benefici superino gli svantaggi.
A valid point. That notwithstanding, I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Scene 2 — Structuring a Group Essay
STUDENTE 1
Come chiudiamo il saggio? Ci serve un paragrafo conclusivo forte.
How do we close the essay? We need a strong concluding paragraph.
STUDENTE 2
Possiamo iniziare con 'Orbene, alla luce di quanto detto...' per introdurre la conclusione.
We could start with 'Now then, in light of what's been said...' to introduce the conclusion.
STUDENTE 1
Perfetto. E poi 'in sintesi' per riassumere i tre punti principali.
Perfect. And then 'in summary' to recap the three main points.
Scene 3 — Weighing Two Options
COLLEGA A
Il piano A costa meno. Per contro, richiede il doppio del tempo.
Plan A costs less. On the other hand, it takes twice the time.
COLLEGA B
E scegliere il piano A a discapito della qualità non mi convince del tutto.
And choosing plan A at the expense of quality doesn't fully convince me.
COLLEGA A
Capisco. In definitiva, forse conviene investire di più fin dall'inizio.
I understand. Ultimately, maybe it's worth investing more from the start.
06🇮🇹
Cultural Notes: The Architecture of an Italian Essay
The Architecture of an Italian Essay
Italian academic and formal writing values visible structure — a reader should be able to trace exactly how an argument builds, concedes counterpoints, and reaches its conclusion, largely through the connectors that mark each move. This is different from a lot of English writing, which often relies more on implicit logical flow.
That's precisely why this dense vocabulary of connectors exists and gets used so heavily in Italian essays, opinion pieces, and academic papers — they're the visible scaffolding of the argument, not decorative flourishes.
07✏️
Exercises & Practice
Exercise 1 — Addition & Reinforcement ➕
1. Il film è lungo; (in effetti / per contro) , dura quasi tre ore.
2. Ha superato l'esame; (per giunta / nondimeno) , con il massimo dei voti.
Show Answers
1. in effetti 2. per giunta
Exercise 2 — Contrast & Concession ⚔️
1. Aveva poche risorse. (Ciò nonostante / In sintesi) , portò a termine il progetto.
2. Il piano è economico; (per contro / orbene) , è anche rischioso.
Show Answers
1. Ciò nonostante 2. per contro
Exercise 3 — Conclusion & Summary 🏁
1. Translate: In summary, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
2. Translate: In light of what has been said, we should approve the plan.
Show Answers
1. In sintesi, i vantaggi superano gli svantaggi.
2. Alla luce di quanto detto, dovremmo approvare il piano.
Exercise 4 — Free Writing ✍️
Write a short argumentative paragraph (70–100 words) on a topic of your choice, using at least one connector each from Sections 2, 3, and 4.
08🗺️
Lesson Mind Map — Recap
Per Giunta / In Effetti
adding, reinforcing
in effetti ≠ 'in effect'
Non Solo... Ma Anche
not only... but also
double emphasis
Nondimeno / Ciò Nonostante
formal 'however'
higher register than tuttavia
Per Contro / A Discapito Di
on the other hand
at the expense of
Orbene
now then (literary)
introduces a conclusion
In Definitiva / In Sintesi
ultimately, in summary
closes an argument
Essay Structure
visible scaffolding
connectors mark every move
Dialogues
debating a university policy
structuring a group essay
09🃏
Quick-Review Flashcards
Tap to reveal:
per giunta
and what's more, on top of that
in effetti
indeed, in fact — confirms/reinforces (false friend for 'in effect')
nondimeno
nevertheless — formal register of tuttavia
ciò nonostante
despite that, that notwithstanding
per contro
on the other hand, conversely
orbene
now then — literary, introduces a conclusion
in sintesi
in summary
alla luce di quanto detto
in light of what has been said
10📚
Resources & Homework
Read an Opinion Piece
Find an Italian opinion column online and highlight every connector from this lesson you spot.
Anki — Connector Pairs
Build a deck pairing each advanced connector with its more basic B1 equivalent (nondimeno ↔ tuttavia, per contro ↔ invece).
Write a Structured Essay
Write a 150-word argumentative essay with a clear opening, one counterpoint conceded with nondimeno/ciò nonostante, and a conclusion introduced with orbene or in definitiva.
Tonight's Homework
- Write 6 sentences, one for each connector category (addition, contrast, conclusion), using a connector from this lesson
- Find and translate 3 sentences from an Italian news opinion piece that use any of this lesson's connectors
- Write a short structured paragraph using at least 4 different connectors from this lesson
Key Takeaways — What You Learned Today
- Per giunta and in effetti add and reinforce a point with more precision than inoltre/anche — watch out, in effetti is a false friend
- Nondimeno and ciò nonostante are higher-register alternatives to tuttavia, reserved for formal writing
- Per contro and a discapito di mark contrast and trade-offs with real precision
- Orbene is literary and rhetorical — it introduces a conclusion in formal essays, not everyday writing
- In definitiva, in sintesi, and alla luce di quanto detto are the standard ways to close a formal written argument