Transition Signals For You

Transition Signals

Transition signals are connecting words or phrases that act like bridges between

parts of your writing.  They link your sentences and paragraphs together

smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.  Transition

signals act like signposts to indicate to the reader the order and flow of your

writing and ideas.  They strengthen the internal cohesion of your writing.  Using

transitions makes it easier for the reader to follow your ideas.  They help carry

over a thought from one sentence to another, from one paragraph to another, or

from one idea to another.

There are several different transition signals.  Some lead your reader forward

and imply the building of an idea or thought, while others make your reader

compare ideas or draw conclusions from the preceding thoughts.  The following

words and phrases can be used to indicate transitions and to cur your reader

about how ideas are logically connected in your writing.

►To introduce an example:

especially    in this case    take the case of

 for example    one example of this is  to demonstrate

for instance    on this occasion   to illustrate

frequently   specifically 

►To show agreement:  

 of course   admittedly   it is true that

 certainly   no doubt

►To introduce an additional idea:

additionally    as well as    in addition

again     besides    moreover

also     equally important   one could also say

and     finally    nor

and then    further    not to mention 

another    furthermore

►To indicate sequence or order, or logically divide an idea: 

after     eventually    previously 

afterwards    finally     second

and then    first     simultaneously 

at this point    followed by    subsequently 

at this time    last     third

before,   meanwhile   ultimately   

concurrently   next 

►To indicate time:

after,     earlier    previously 

afterwards    finally    prior to   

at this point   formerly   soon   

at this time   immediately   then  

before    initially   thereafter  

during    later    to this day

►To compare:

another way to view this just like    similarly 

balanced against  likewise   whereas  

by comparison  like    while 

  

►To contrast:

a different view is    even so   nevertheless

and    however   notwithstanding 

balanced against  in contrast   still  

but    on the contrary   unlike  

conversely   on the other hand   yet    

differing from

►To introduce an opposite idea or show exception:

alternatively   in contrast    on the other hand 

but    in spite of   still  

despite   instead   whereas  

even though   nevertheless   while

however   one could also say  yet  

 ►To show cause and effect:

and so    consequently   therefore

as a consequence  for this reason  thus  

as a result    hence    

   

►To summarise or conclude:

as a result    in conclusion   therefore

as shown   in other words  thus   

consequently   in summary   to conclude

finally    on the whole   to summarise 

hence    summing up   ultimately 

in brief

Below is an example of how using transitional words and phrases can improve

the quality of a piece of writing.  Note how the ideas flow more smoothly, and the

logical relationships between the ideas expressed are clearer in the second

paragraph.

Nothing is known about Adrian’s birth.  We know that, during his early years, he

was raised by hedgehogs in Birmingham, England. This upbringing would have a lasting

effect on him.  Adrian is a nocturnal creature who has been known to curl himself into a

ball on occasion. The diet on which Adrian likely subsisted when he was young, namely

insects, left him with a phobia for anything with more than four legs.  Adrian was able to

lead a relatively normal life. Mr. and Mrs. Smith rescued him from the Birmingham

hedgehogs. The Smiths set about teaching Adrian how to behave in the world of

humans.  They taught him to speak English. They taught him to read. They sent him to

school for the Arts. Adrian quickly became a talented guitar player. He decided that if he

could not be a professional musician, he would curl himself into a ball forever.  Adrian

met some fellow musicians who were as talented as he.  They formed a band that

became a huge success.

It is true that nothing is known about Adrian’s birth, but we know that, during his

early years, he was raised by hedgehogs in Birmingham, England.  This upbringing

would have a lasting effect on him; for example, Adrian is a nocturnal creature who has

been known to curl himself into a ball on occasion.  In addition, the diet on which Adrian

likely subsisted when he was young, namely insects, left him with a phobia for anything

with more than four legs.  Nevertheless, Adrian was able to lead a relatively normal life

after Mr. and Mrs Smith rescued him from the Birmingham hedgehogs.  The Smiths set

about teaching Adrian how to behave in the world of humans.  First, they taught him to

speak English. Second, they taught him to read.  Finally, they sent him to a school for

the Arts.  As a result, Adrian quickly became a talented guitar player, and he decided

that if he could not be a professional musician, he would curl himself into a ball forever. 

Ultimately, Adrian met some fellow musicians who, in comparison, were as talented as

he, and they soon formed a band that became a huge success.