Transition Words

Transition Words Essay Writing Resources

Have you ever received comments on an assignment that your language is “choppy” or your thoughts are “disconnected”? If so, your writing may need some transitional words or phrases to keep your reader moving forward without stumbling on a thought, sentence, or paragraph that seems out of place.

Types of Transitions

In writing, transitions act as road signs by alerting readers to additions and changes in discourse. Transitions can also bridge gaps by establishing connections between two or more ideas. They guide readers through thoughts, sentences, and paragraphs, thereby improving the cohesion of your piece.

The following are examples of some different types of transitions and what they "signpost" in your paper:

  • Addition: when providing further insights on an existing idea or thought.
    • Furthermore, we went to the grocery store.
  • Comparison: when noting the similarities between two things.
    • I think apples are good. Likewise, I think oranges are good.
  • Consequence: when an effect follows from a cause.
    • As a result, she got a better grade on her paper.
  • Contrast: when noting differences between two things.
    • She went to the movies; however, she missed the previews.
  • Emphasis: when emphasizing a central idea to your paper.
    • Above all, you completed the assignment on time.
  • Generalization: when explaining a fact about a person, place, or thing that is true most times.
    • For the most part, kids like to play video games.
  • Illustration: when giving an example.
    • My parents make us supper every night. For instance, they made spaghetti last night.
  • Position: when citing one thing in physical relation to another thing.
    • The cat slept next to the dog.
  • Restatement: when wording a previous thought in a different way.
    • In other words, the meeting was cancelled.
  • Sequence/Time: when ordering things in sequence.
    • For the time being, the swimming pool is closed.
  • Summary: when concluding.
    • To conclude, exercising positively influences a person’s overall well-being.

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Using Transition Words in a Paper

To use the list below, determine what type of transition best suits your purpose. Then, search the appropriate grouping for a word that fits well in your sentence.

Addition:

Again

Also

And

As well as

Besides

Coupled with

Further

Furthermore

In addition

Moreover

Together with

Too

What is more

Comparison:

Comparatively

In comparison

In the same way

Likewise

Similarly

Consequence:

Accordingly

As a result

Consequently

Hence

So

Then

Therefore

Thus

Contrast:

By contrast

Contrarily

Conversely

Even so

However

Instead

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

On the other hand

Otherwise

Rather

Still

Yet

Emphasis:

Above all

Chiefly

Especially

Indeed

In fact

Particularly

Singularly

Truly

With attention to

Indubitable

Generalization:

As a rule

For the most part

Generally

In general

Ordinarily

Usually

Illustration:

As an illustration

For example

For instance

For one

Position:

Above

Adjacent

Behind

Below

Beside

Beyond

Here

Nearby

Next to

There

Restatement:

In essence

In other words

Namely

That is (to say)

Sequence/Time:

Afterwards

At first

At the same time

Currently

During

Earlier

Finally

First*

For now

For the time being

In time

Later (on)

Meanwhile

Next

Recently

Simultaneously

Soon

Subsequently

Then

Summary:

In brief

In conclusion

In short

In sum

To conclude

To summarize

  

*If you want to number ideas in your writing, avoid firstly, secondly, thirdly, and so on. Instead write first, second, third, etc.

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