TYPES AND EXAMPLES
OF TRANSITIONS

Without transitions, your writing does not flow smoothly. Transitions are words and phrases that serve as bridges from on idea to the next, one sentence to the next, or one paragraph to the next. They keep the reader from having to find his or her own way and possibly getting lost in the reading.

Transitions can also be looked at as the glue that hold your ideas together. They are very important. Too many transitions can cause as much confusion as too few.

Therefore, you don't necessarily need a transition between every idea or every sentence, but it is a good idea to use a transition between each paragraph. Transitions usually come near the beginning of a paragraph. However, you should use a transition wherever it works best.

Below are several ways transitions can be used. Also included are sample transitions that fit the category. Not every transition is listed.

TRANSITIONS TO EMPHASIZE A POINT

again another key point first thing to remember
for this reason frequently important to realize
indeed in fact key point
most compelling evidence most important information must be remembered
on the negative side on the positive side point often overlooked
significant that surprising surprisingly enough
to emphasize to point out to repeat
truly with this in mind


 

TRANSITIONS TO SHOW LOCATION

above across against along alongside amid among
around away from back of behind below beneath beside
between beyond by down in front of in the center of in the middle of
inside into near off on top of outside over
throughout to the left to the right under up


 

TRANSITIONS TO COMPARE ITEMS

accordingly also as comparable to
in the same way in the same manner in conjunction with this just as
like likewise similarly sometimes


 

TRANSITIONS TO CONTRAST ITEMS

although as opposed to but conversely counter to
even so even though however in spite of this in the meantime
nevertheless on the contrary on the other hand otherwise sometimes
still yet


 

TRANSITIONS TO SHOW TIME

about after afterward as soon as at
at the same time before during finally first
immediately in the meantime later last meanwhile
next next week next time next year prior to
second next soon then third till
today tomorrow until when yesterday


 

TRANSITIONS TO CLARIFY

for example for instance in other words put another way
seems clear from this simply stated stated differently that is
to clarify to illustrate the point


 

TRANSITIONS TO ADD INFORMATION

additionally again along with also and
another as well besides equally important finally
for example for instance further furthermore in addition
likewise moreover next together with


 

TRANSITIONS TO CONCLUDE OR SUMMARIZE

accordingly all in all as a result consequently
due to finally in closing in conclusion
in short in summary in the last analysis lastly
logical conclusion is therefore thus to conclude


 

TRANSITIONS TO ENUMERATE

These transitions are to be used as sets;
more transitions can be added to each set as needed.
bullet first
bullet second
bullet third
bullet one important
bullet equally important
bullet most important
bullet a significant
bullet another significant
bullet of greatest significance
bullet first
bullet next
bullet last
bullet in the beginning
bullet toward the middle
bullet at the end
bullet one
bullet also
bullet in addition

 This page was taken from : http://www.teachtheteachers.org/projects/MBergey/index.htm

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