Transitional devices:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/index.html
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/01/

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

Here is a list of some common transitional devices that can be used to cue readers in a given
way.

additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further,

Addition furthermore, in addition, moreover, then, and then, finally, first, in the first
support or place, last, next, second, still, too
Evidence also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with, furthermore, in addition,
likewise, moreover, similarly

and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore,
To Add
nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)

added to, additionally, along with, also, and all, apart from, aside from,
beyond, conjointly, else, exceeding, exclusive of, extra, further, furthermore,
As well as
likewise, more, more than, moreover, not counting, other than, otherwise,
plus, secondly, supplementary to, together with, too, yet

Cause &
accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
effect

whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary,
by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis,
comparison
but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may
be true, also, in the same way, likewise, similarly

concession granted, naturally, of course

accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose, hence,
consequence
otherwise, so then, subsequently, therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore

although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that, even so,
even though, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead,
nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise,
regardless, still, though, yet,
contrast
Contrast and Comparison:
contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise, on one hand, on the
other hand, on the contrary, rather, similarly, yet, but, however, still,
nevertheless, in contrast

here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under, above, to the left, to
Direction:
the right, in the distance
Diversion: by the way, incidentally

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,
emphasis without reservation, certainly, indeed, in fact, of course
even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly

above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly, singularly

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
example or illustrate, after all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance, in
illustration conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other words, in short, it is true, of course,
namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, truly
namely, specifically,

yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a

while, sometimes
Exception
aside from, barring, besides, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other
than, outside of, save

chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular, markedly, namely, particularly,

Exemplifying:
including, specifically, such as

as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally, generally speaking, ordinarily,
Generalizing
usually

for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration, illustrated with, as
Illustration:
an example, in this case

Place /
above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Position

because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore,
To Prove
moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is

To repeat in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted

in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in short, in brief, to
Restatement:
put it differently

in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, as I have shown, as I have

said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, on the
whole, all in all, altogether, as has been said, finally, in brief, in conclusion, in
summary other words, in particular, in short, in simpler terms, in summary, on the
whole, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to summarize finally, in a word,
in brief, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, in
sum
 Summarizing:
after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by and large, in any case, in
any event, in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short, in summary, in the
final analysis, in the long run, on balance, to sum up, to summarize, finally

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
Show
sequence Sequence:
at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time, for now,
for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on, meanwhile, next,
then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in
conclusion, with this in mind,

also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly

Similarity
comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically, likewise, similar,
moreover, together with

immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later,

previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then after, afterward, at
last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now,
recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then after a while, afterward, again,
also, and then, as long as, at last, at length, at that time, before, besides,
time sequence
earlier, eventually, finally, formerly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the
first place, in the past, last, lately, meanwhile, moreover, next, now, presently,
second, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still, subsequently, then,
thereafter, too, until, until now, when

Verbs to use for your aim of the study, your overall question.

To discuss (an idea) To reflect on (a theoretical model)

To examine (a proposal) To investigate (arrange of concepts)
To analyze (some data) To propose (a possible explanation)
To synthesize (several ideas - propositions) To systematize (some initial data)
To explore (an issue) To test (a hypothesis)

Instead of always using Stated use:

Acknowledged Described Provided

Advised Explained Referred to
Commented Identified Remarked
Defined Noted Recommends that…
 Suggested
Stated
Wrote
Adds that…. Noted that…..
Believes that…. Discovered that…. Concluded that…..
Suggests that…. Reported that…. Stressed that….

Use these words:

Examine Discuss To investigate

Identify Analyze To propose
Discover Synthesize To test
Determine Explore
Assess To reflect

Susan Bishoffburgers word of wisdom

Do not use USE THIS WORD

It’s The Describe
And or with Focus on
Overview of
For that Examination of
You the reader Review of
Feel believe Presents a series of
See determine Provides an overview of
Looking examining Explains the
Discusses
Questions
aggregate (noun) sum due to the fact that because, since
approximately about during the same time that while
ascertain find out, learn for the purpose of for, to
construct (verb) build for the reason that because, since
deleterious harmful has a tendency to break fragile
demonstrate show in a number of cases sometimes, at times
effectuate do, cause in a position to can, be able
encounter find in a satisfactory manner satisfactorily,
endeavor (verb) try well
equivalent equal in order to to
facilitate help in possession of have, has
forward (verb) send in spite of the fact that although, even
initial (noun) first though
initiate start in the event that if
modification change in the nature of like
occasion (verb) cause in the near future soon
optimum best in view of the fact that because, since
procure get is of the opinion that thinks, believes
purchase (verb) buy it is our opinion we think, believe
regarding about located in the vicinity of near
reimburse repay on the basis of by
sufficient enough on the part of for
terminate stop, end owing to the fact that - because, since
transmit send prior to - before
utilize use prior to the start of - before
subsequent to - after
along the lines of like subsequent to the start of- after
as of this date today under date of - on
at all times always until such time as - until
at the present time now we are in receipt of - we have
at this point in time now we would appreciate - please
become cognizant know, learn, find, realize
by means of by

Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph and highlighting them in the next can create
an obvious progression for readers. Many times, it only takes a few words to draw these
connections. Instead of writing transitions that could connect any paragraph to any other
paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific
paragraph.

Example: 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.

Example: Fearing for the loss of Danish lands, Christian IV signed the Treaty of Lubeck, effectively
ending the Danish phase of the 30 Years War.
But then something else significant happened. The Swedish intervention began.
Revision: Fearing for the loss of more Danish lands, Christian IV signed the Treaty of Lubeck,
effectively ending the Danish phase of the 30 Years War.
Shortly after Danish forces withdrew, the Swedish intervention began.

Example: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the
bestseller list.
There are other things to note about Tan as well. Amy Tan also participates in the satirical garage band
the Rock Bottom Remainders with Stephen King and Dave Barry.

Revision: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the
bestseller list.
Though her fiction is well known, her work with the satirical garage band the Rock Bottom Remainders
receives far less publicity.

Citation In-text

In-text citations take form in one of three ways.

Havid (1999) from __________ found that patient contentment rose with doctor involvement
(p. 5).

In Havid's 1999 study, he found the rise of patient contentment rose with more doctor
involvement (p. 5).

It has been noted that "patient satisfaction increases with increased doctor-patient interaction"
(Havid, 1999, p. 5).