Transitions

Transitional words and phrases connect paragraphs, sentences, phrases, and words. By signaling connections and indicating relationships between ideas, transitions add coherence and flow.

Transitions between sentences and ideas

When connecting ideas between and within sentences, transitions can indicate cause and effect, sequence of time, comparisons, contrasts, examples, and conclusions. Note the variety of transitions in each the following excerpts from Cullington and from Turkle:

Furthermore, those who favor texting explain that with practice comes the confidence and courage to try new things, which some observers believe they are seeing happen with writing as a result of texting. Teenagers have, for example, created an entirely new language—one that uses abbreviations and symbols instead of words, does not require punctuation, and uses short, incomplete phrases throughout the entire conversation. (Cullington 365)

Classical analysis shielded the patient from the analyst’s gaze in order to facilitate free association, the golden rule of saying whatever comes to mind. Likewise, at a screen, you feel protected and less burdened by expectations. And, although you are alone, the potential for almost instantaneous contact gives an encouraging feeling of already being together. (Turkle 374)

Transitions between paragraphs

Writers sometimes use transitional words and phrases to connect paragraphs:

Yet, while Jacksonians tended toward an essentially static conception of economic reality, they imbued economic inequality with a dynamic nature which actively worked to mold a socioeconomic system in which the many would be locked in permanent dependence upon a wealthy few.

Like the Jacksonians, the Populist conception of a just society placed far greater importance on the relatively equal distribution of wealth than it did on economic growth. (Hughes 71)

Vary use of transitions

If you need to add variety when using transitions, select from the menu on the following page.

However, the study showed that users checked their smartphones 85 times daily.

But the study showed that users checked their smartphones 85 times daily.

By contrast, study results showed that users checked their smartphones 85 times daily.

List of Transitional Words and Phrases

Sequence or Time

first, second, third, etc.
before
subsequently
finally
to conclude
initially
next
besides

Addition

and
in addition
also
furthermore
after all
moreover
to sum up
in the end
again

Cause & Effect

because
so
thus
consequently
for
therefore
as a result
for this reason
to this end

Conclusion

in conclusion
as a result
in other words
to summarize
in any event
in any event
on the whole
therefore

Compare & Contrast

Compare

similarly
likewise
like
also
resembling
once more
in comparison
in the same way

Contrast

although
even though
whereas
unlike
on the one/other hand
though
but
however
instead
on the contrary
yet
rather than
despite
by contrast
still

Example

for example
when
in the case of
in other words
unless
specifically
that is
such as
for instance
to illustrate
namely
in particular
in fact
of course

Works Consulted

Cullington, Michaella. “Does Texting Affect Writing?” They Say, I Say. 3rd ed. Eds. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and

Russel L. Durst. New York: Norton, 2015. 373-91. Print.

Hughes, John F. “The Jacksonians, the Populists, and the Government Habit.” Forging the American Character: Readings

in United States History Since 1865. 2nd ed. Ed. John R. M. Wilson. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 1997. 67-80. Print.

Lunsford, Andrea A. The St. Martin’s Handbook. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2015. Print.

Turkle, Sherry. “No Need to Call.” They Say, I Say. 3rd ed. Eds. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel L. Durst. New

York: Norton, 2015. 373-91. Print.