Transitions
A Writing
Center Workshop
·
Transitions
are words, phrases, and sentences that connect ideas.
·
When you write an essay and you movie from one
topic to the next, you have to bring the reader along by showing how ideas
develop and relate to a new thought or detail.
·
Transitions show the connection to an earlier discussion
in your essay.
·
Transitions explain why you are introducing a
new topic.
To bridge sentences or paragraphs and to point out
relationships within them, you can use some of the following transition words
and phrases:
Writer’s Purpose
|
Transitional Words
and Phrases
|
To add an idea
|
Also, moreover, in addition, besides, furthermore, again,
as well as, coupled with
|
To show contrast and comparison
|
However, in contrast, by the same token, conversely,
instead, likewise, on the one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary,
rather, similarly, however, still, nonetheless, in contrast
|
To indicate result or to show consequence/effect
|
Therefore, as a result, thus, consequently, for this reason,
for this purpose, hence, otherwise, then, subsequently
|
To give an example
|
For example, for instance, namely, such as, like
|
To emphasize or to intensify
|
In fact, indeed, mainly, above all, chiefly, with
attention to, particularly
|
To explain or restate
|
That is, in other words, in essence, namely, that is to
say, in short, in brief, to put it differently
|
To show time or sequence
|
First, second, next, then, finally, meanwhile,
subsequently, while, when, as, whenever, before, after, until, as soon as,
the moment that, once, where
|
To show direction
|
Here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under,
above, to the left, to the right, in the distance
|
To show exception
|
Excluding, exclusive of, other than, excepting, outside
of, save, aside from, barring, beside
|
To generalize
|
As usual, for the most part, generally, generally
speaking, ordinarily, usually
|
To summarize
|
After all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by
and large, in any event, in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short, in
summary, in the final analysis, in the long run, to sum up
|
Transitions
Exercise
Fill in the blanks
with the correct transitional words or phrases given below:
Addition:
Coupled with
|
Restate:
In other words
|
Emphasize:
In fact
|
Time or sequence: first
|
Exception:
Except
|
Contrast and
comparison:
on the other hand
|
Consequence:
As a result
|
Exemplify:
For example
|
1. Nice
weather, good friends a family, means a great day for a
picnic.
2. There
were major traffic jams of an accident on I-270.
3. The
children were happy; ,
the adults were miserable.
4. The
union members needed to emphasize the need for change, that is all they spoke about.
5. Everyone
agreed there should be an of the year celebration those who did not want to pay for it.
6. , put a teabag in
the mug to make a cup of tea.
7. There
are many signs of a bad economy, ,
the number of unemployed.
8. You
can’t travel without it; ,
you must have your passport.
Now make your own sentences using transitional words to:
1. Add
an idea:
2. Show
contrast or comparison:
3. Indicate
result:
4. Summarize:
Paragraph Transitions
·
Transitions can be used to begin and end
paragraphs. Certain transition words or phrases can show how your essay is
organized.
o
For example, an essay that uses a chronological pattern of organization may
begin each paragraph with transitions like First,
Second, and Last.
o
An essay that uses an order of importance pattern of organization may begin each
paragraph with transitions like First of
all, Next, and Most important of all.
Supporting Detail
Transitions
·
In addition to using transitions at the
beginning or end of a paragraph, you will also want to use them within the
paragraph. Using transitions shows the audience how your thoughts are
connected, which is one of the hardest tasks to accomplish when writing
academically.
o
For example, if you are writing a compare/contrast essay, you may be
focusing one paragraph on comparisons and the following paragraph on
contradictions. In the first paragraph, you would want to use transitions like Compared to, Similarly, and Likewise. In the following paragraph,
transitions such as Conversely, Instead, and
However may be appropriate for
showing contrast.
Transitions in
Your Outline
·
When outlining your essay, it is helpful to start
thinking about how your main points and supporting details relate to one
another as well as to your essay’s organization. Once you have established your
main points (ways to support your thesis), you may have an idea about how you
want to order these points in the body paragraphs. For more information on
patterns of organization, you can view this
handout from Montgomery College’s website.
·
Placing transitions in your outline will allow
you to remain focused when you begin drafting and to remind yourself of your
essay’s purpose. An example outline may look like this (transitions are
underlined):
o
Body Paragraph 1: First,
artisans must choose the best tools…
§
Supporting detail: For example,
a painter chooses a brush…
§
Supporting detail: As a result,
the painting will exemplify the…
§
Supporting detail: Finally,
an artisan’s choice of tools allows…
Conclusion Paragraph
Transitions:
·
“When closing your essay, do not expressly state
that you are drawing to a close. Relying on statements such as In conclusion, It is clear that, As you can
see, or In summation is unnecessary
and can be considered trite” (McLean, 2011, p. 281).
References:
McLean, S. (2011). Writing
for success (1st ed.). Irvington, NY: Flatworld Knowledge, Inc.
