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 for this reason indeed most compelling evidence on the negative side another key point frequently in fact most important information on the positive side first thing to remember important to realize key point must be remembered point often overlooked

significant that to emphasize truly

surprising to point out with this in mind

surprisingly enough to repeat

TRANSITIONS TO SHOW LOCATION

above around across away from beyond into to the left against back of along behind alongside below in front of on top of up amid beneath in the center of outside among beside in the middle of over

between inside throughout

by near to the right

down off under

TRANSITIONS TO COMPARE ITEMS

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

TRANSITIONS TO CONTRAST ITEMS

although as opposed but conversely counter to

to even so nevertheless still even though on the contrary yet however on the other hand in spite of this otherwise in the meantime sometimes

TRANSITIONS TO SHOW TIME

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

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

TRANSITIONS TO ADD INFORMATION

additionally another again as well along with besides further next also equally important furthermore together with and finally in addition

for example for instance likewise moreover

TRANSITIONS TO CONCLUDE OR SUMMARIZE

accordingly due to in short logical conclusion is all in all finally as a result in closing consequently in conclusion lastly to conclude

in summary in the last analysis therefore thus

TRANSITIONS TO ENUMERATE
These transitions are to be used as sets; more transitions can be added to each set as needed. first second third one important equally important most important a significant another significant of greatest significance first