How to Introduce Your Concrete Details/Evidence

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:

1. When providing concrete details/evidence, avoid “like, shows, or shown.” Instead, use words from the above recommended transitional words
2. 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.”
3. When providing more analysis/commentary (commentary 2), choose the appropriate form of the following: “also, likewise, additionally, of equal importance, moreover.”
4. 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.”