Transitions

TransitionsOr, how to get your reader to follow alongWhy Do We Need Transitions Anyway?Transitions work like bridges or a well worn path through a park; they show the reader where your essay is going and makes it easier to follow along. Okay, yeah, that makes sense, buthow do I do it?Since transitions can help tie paragraphs together, sometimes its effective to repeat a key word or phrase. ExampleOriginal: Overall, Management Systems International has logged increased sales in every sector, leading to a significant rise in third-quarter profits.Another important thing to note is that the corporation had expanded its international influence.

Revision: Overall, Management Systems International has logged increased sales in every sector, leading to a significant rise in third-quarter profits.These impressive profits are largely due to the corporation's expanded international influence.

More techniquesDifferent transitional phrases have different meanings or contextsEach context leads the reader to a certain conclusionBe cautious in your use so that you dont mislead your reader.AdditionWhen you are going to be adding a new idea to a previous one.And, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, whats more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc)Comparison/ContrastWhen you are going to be examining the similarities/differences between a previously presented idea and a new ideawhereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true

To ProveWhen you are going to prove a point, usually by providing a solid example: because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is

To Show ExceptionUse these words when showing how something is a unique case, different from the rest:yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes

To Show TimeThese words are particularly effective when writing narratives:immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then

To RepeatWhen you want to emphasize an idea through repetition: in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted

To EmphasizeTo add particular strain or stress on an idea:definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation

To Show SequenceUseful for showing Process, or the order/steps necessary to complete a task:first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon

To give an exampleSelf explanatory, yes?for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate

To summarize or concludeTo wrap up an argument or idea:in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently

Be careful using these to set off your conclusion paragraph. It can go from a useful transition to a clich.Lets Practice!

(Thus/For example/ Besides), if you install low-flow showerheads and water-saving toilets, your household can save dozens of gallons of water a day.We want For Example, because thats what this sentence is doing: giving an example that would relate to the previous idea.Many people resist such measures because they think that these inventions do not work as well as the old models. (Consequently/ Therefore/ On the contrary), because of technological advances, todays water-conserving showers and toilets work surprisingly well. We want On the contrary because it shows the contrast relationship.Just rememberYou want your reader to have an easy time reading your writing and not to have to struggle through to make the connections.I sometimes tell students who struggle with transitions to assume your reader is slightly stupid and you have to walk them through your essay.This is what transitions accomplish.