TRANSITION WORDS
To improve your writing you need to make sure that your ideas, both in sentences and paragraphs, stick together or have coherence and that the gap between ideas is bridged smoothly. One way to do this is by using transitions - words or phrases or techniques that help bring two ideas together. Transitional words and phrases represent one way of gaining coherence. Certain words help continue an idea, indicate a shift of thought or contrast, or sum up a conclusion. Check the following list of words to find those that will pull your sentences and paragraphs together.
How to introduce your Concrete Details/Evidence:
X states, “…”
As the author puts it, “…”
According to, “…”
In his/her book, “…” X maintains that “….”
In X’s view, “…”
For opening a paragraph initially or for general use:
Admittedly
Assuredly
Certainly
Granted
No doubt
Nobody denies
Obviously
Of course
To be sure
True
Undoubtedly
Unquestionably
Generally speaking
In general
At this level
In this situation
In other words
How to explain concrete details/evidence (commentary):
In other words, X believes, ______.
In making this comment, X urges us to ______.
Generally speaking X is agreeing/supporting/confirming that ______.
In this situation X’s point is that______.
Admittedly, the essence of X’s claim is that ______.
For continuing a common line of reasoning:
consequently
clearly, then
furthermore
additionally
and
in addition
moreover
because
besides that
in the same way
following this further
also
pursuing this further
in the light of the... it is easy to see that
To change the line of reasoning (contrast):
however
on the other hand
but
yet
nevertheless
on the contrary
For the final points of a paragraph or essay:
finally
lastly
in conclusion
Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a paragraph, which is arranged chronologically:
first... second... third...
generally... furthermore... finally
in the first place... also... lastly
in the first place... pursuing this further... finally
to be sure... additionally... lastly
in the first place... just in the same way... finally
basically... similarly... as well
To restate a point within a paragraph in another way or in a more exacting way:
in other words
point in fact
specifically
Sequence or time:
after
afterwards
as soon as
at first
at last
before
before long
finally
first... second... third
in the first place
in the meantime
To signal conclusion:
therefore
thus
hence
in final analysis
in conclusion
in final consideration
indeed
in summary,
to conclude,
to sum up,
in short,
AVOIDING Renaming or Redundancy
The author: refer to by full name the first time…after that it is appropriate to use just the last name. You may also use the following:
- The author
- The writer
- The poet
The main character: refer to by full name the first time if provided..after that it is appropriate to use just the first name. You may also use the following:
- Protagonist
- Hero/heroine
- Central character
The antagonist: refer to by full name the first time if provided…after that it is appropriate to use just the first name. You may also use the following:
- Antagonist
- Opponent
- Adversary
- Rival
Avoid the following Transition errors:
- When providing concrete details/evidence, avoid “like, shows, or shown.” Instead, use words from the above recommended transitional words
- When providing analysis/commentary (commentary 1), avoid first person…just state everything as a fact. To smooth transitions choose the appropriate form of the following: “in fact, for this reason, truly.”
- When providing more analysis/commentary (commentary 2), choose the appropriate form of the following: “also, likewise, additionally, of equal importance, moreover.”
- To conclude your paragraph, you may smooth the transition using any of the above transitions to signal and end/conclusion to your paragraph. Not “the end, here is my last word, goodbye.”