

You can also think of a transition as a sort of. Think of transitions as the links that help your writing flow. These are used within your paragraphs as you move from one idea to another as well as when you need to move your reader to the next paragraph. Consequently, she failed freshman English. Using transitional phrases is a way to guide your reader from one thought to the next. She failed freshman English.ĭenise decided to stop doing her homework. Afterward, they all agreed it was worth it.ĭenise decided to stop doing her homework. The trip through the desert was long and tiring for the crew. In the meantime, fill up the car with gas, please. Jeffrey, we’ll be ready to leave for the trip in 20 minutes. By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from. Jeffrey, we’ll be ready to leave for the trip in 20 minutes. The key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs. Therefore, she needed an extra large cup of coffee before work. She needed an extra large cup of coffee before work.Ĭarla couldn’t sleep the night before her presentation. A, B, C, and so forth.To determine whether or not you need a transition word at the beginning of a sentence or paragraph, look at the sentence with and without the transition word or phrase and compare the results.Ĭarla couldn’t sleep the night before her big presentation. In brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted To Emphasize:ĭefinitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation To Show Sequence:įirst, second, third, and so forth. Immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then To Repeat: Yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes To Show Time: Whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true To Prove:īecause, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is To Show Exception: To Add:Īnd, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.) To Compare: Here is a list of some common transitional devices that can be used to cue readers in a given way.


Some lead readers forward and imply the building of an idea or thought, while others make readers compare ideas or draw conclusions from the preceding thoughts. There are several types of transitional devices, and each category leads readers to make certain connections or assumptions. And finally, transitional devices link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas. Transitional devices are words or phrases that help carry a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another. They are cues that help the reader to interpret ideas a paper develops.

Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your paper.
