Effective Transitions in Writing

• Transitions connect ideas in writing, creating a smooth flow.
• Effective transitions are seamless and show relationships between concepts.
• Transitions are words or phrases that indicate a connection.

Types of Transitions

• Between paragraphs, often a phrase starting a sentence.
• Within a paragraph, often a single word followed by a comma.
• To a new part of the writing, often a short paragraph or at least a sentence.

How to Write a Transition

• Determine the transition type (between paragraphs, within paragraphs, or between sections).
• Determine the relationship between the parts needing a transition.
• Choose words that reflect the relationship (contrast, addition, etc.).
• Start the sentence with the transition.
• Complete the sentence, indicating upcoming ideas.
• Re-read to ensure smooth flow.

Transition Example

• Example provided shows a contrast: favoring privatization of space travel in the first paragraph, and introducing a caveat in the second.

Transition Words and Phrases

• Basic transitions are suitable for beginners, but more sophisticated options exist.

Transition Words to Start a Sentence

• Furthermore indicates agreement: "Furthermore, cats can be left alone for longer periods of time."
• Likewise indicates agreement: "Likewise, fish can also be left alone without the need to be taken out."
• Additionally is for adding on: "Additionally, recycling can provide a small source of income for the consumer."
• Unlike indicates disagreement: "Unlike hybrid cars, electric vehicles require no gas at all."
• Despite indicates disagreement: "Despite being a good movie, it doesn't compare to the original version."
• While indicates a conditional: "While adding a stoplight would be helpful, there are other things to consider."
• Because indicates cause/effect: "Because test scores were so low, the district has to consider all opens on the table."
• Hence indicates cause/effect: "The weather was terrible, hence the need to cancel the event."
• Therefore indicates cause/effect: "Therefore the town council all voted to turn down the business' proposal."
• Indeed provides support: "Indeed, the king's decision to open the hunting grounds was well within his rights."
• Explicitly provides support: "Explicitly, the power falls to the chairman of the board in these matters."
• Presently indicates time: "Presently, there is nothing that indicates that the board will change their minds on the matter."

Transition Phrases for Essays

• Used to start, transition sentences, or transition sections.

• Flexible due to their multi-word nature.

• Informative essays use cause and effect, additional information, and explanations.

• Persuasive essays use opposition or counter-argument transitions.

• Combined with adds on: "Combined with installing solar panels, heat pumps can significantly reduce carbon emissions."

• Of equal importance introduces/adds on: "Of equal importance is the need to provide free public transportation to encourage people to ditch their cars."

• On the other hand indicates opposition: "On the other hand, eliminating speed limits on highways could lead to more fatal car crashes."

• As much as indicates opposition: "As much as streaming music is convenient, there's nothing like putting on a vinyl record."

• In the event of indicates cause/effect: "In the event of a tie, the deciding vote goes to the Vice President."

• As long as indicates cause/effect: "As long as the levies hold, New Orleans should prevent the worst-case scenario."

• For this reason provides support: "For this reason, I fully endorse the incumbent candidate for mayor."

• In other words is an explanation: "In other words, the community needs to protect its citizens at all costs."

• In the meantime indicates time: "In the meantime, residents should take precautions when traveling down Morris road."

College-Level Transitions

• Use sophisticated and eloquent transitions.
• Use a thesaurus to find alternatives.
• Interchange words in transition phrases.
• Avoid repetition.

Sophisticated Alternatives

• "so" can become "hence," "thus," "accordingly," or "ergo."
• "first" can become "initially" or "cardinal."
• "but" can become "yet," "although," "nevertheless," or "however."
• "while" can become "albeit," "whereas," or "whilst."
• "because" can become "for the sake of," "in the interest of," or "as a result of."
• "therefore" can become "in consequence," "on account of," or "on the grounds."
• "overall" can become "generally speaking," "in the long run," or "on the whole."
• "now" can become "in the meantime," "in the here and now," or "at the moment."