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. |
|
|
 | one important |
| equally important |
| most important |
|
| a significant |
| another significant |
| of greatest significance |
|
|
| in the beginning |
| toward the middle |
| at the end |
|
|
|
Interested
in hands-on manipulatives for transitions that can be used
instead of this page or in conjunction with it? Visit Kim's
Kreations.
