Transitions are words or phrases that show relationships between sentences, paragraphs, and even larger sections of an essay. Transitions help readers understand how and why information, arguments, and ideas are related to one another. Transitions help improve an essay’s coherence, a quality of writing where one part of the paper flows to the next without any noticeable gaps, bumps, or unexpected shifts.

<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/20651af7-b9cc-4182-a182-bca14f2ee94b/1_120_transparent.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/20651af7-b9cc-4182-a182-bca14f2ee94b/1_120_transparent.png" width="40px" /> Contents

1 Considerations

2 Transitional Words and Phrases

 2.1 [Common Transitional Words and Phrases](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.1 [To Show Addition](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.2 [To Give Examples](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.3 [To Compare](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.4 [To Contrast](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.5 [To Summarize or Conclude](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.6 [To Show Time](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.7 [To Show Place or Direction](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.8 [To Indicate Logical Relationships](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

      2.1.9 [To Signal Concession](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

3 Transitional Sentences

 3.1 [Repetition of Keywords](<https://swamp-drip-4f6.notion.site/Body-Paragraph-Transitions-c6e49a8742d9453387fb26ecc3fe6ad1>)

3.2 Signal a Shift in Focus

4 Transitional Paragraphs

4.1 Introduce a Change in Topic

4.2 Subheadings

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Considerations

It is important to ensure that transitional words and phrases reflect the order and relationship of ideas in the essay. Among the most popular types of transition are:

Transitions that inaccurately link ideas in the paper (i.e. using chronological transitions when the paper calls for a comparison) can be misleading and damaging to the paper’s overall effectiveness. As a general practice, it is best to put transitional words/phrases at the beginning of sections in the essay where new ideas are introduced. Doing so will help readers follow the writer’s train of thought with more purpose and clarity.

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Transitional Words and Phrases

Transitional words and phrases signal connections between, or even within, sentences. Writers should consider several things while selecting transitional words and phrases:

  1. the transitional word or phrase captures the relationship of ideas that are being linked (i.e. do not use chronological transitions when comparison is needed)

  2. the transitional word or phrase is specific (i.e. do not use “consequently” when “also” would be more precise) and

  3. the transitional word or phrase has a consistent tone with the surrounding text (i.e. do not use “thus” in an informal paper or do not use “all in all” in a scholarly paper).

Common Transitional Words and Phrases

To Show Addition

Suggested Transitions
and, also, besides, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, next, too, first, second

To Give Examples

Suggested Transitions
for example, for instance, to illustrate, in fact, specifically,

To Compare

Suggested Transitions
also, in the same manner, similarly, likewise

To Contrast

Suggested Transitions
but, however, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless, still, even though, on the contrary, yet, although

To Summarize or Conclude

Suggested Transitions
in short, in summary, in conclusion, to sum up, therefore

To Show Time

Suggested Transitions
after, as, before, next, during, later, finally, meanwhile, then, when, while, immediately

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Transitional Sentences

Transitional sentences usually link the first sentence of a new paragraph with the first sentence of a previous paragraph to show their relationship. Since the topic sentences signal global connections in a paper, using these places as a point for transition allows writers to connect the subject of a previous paragraph in the topic sentence of the next one. Transitional sentences can be executed in two ways.

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