The Pennsylvania State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences: Joe Schall's "Transition Words"

Refer to the chart for more transitional words and expressions. Once you have looked over the chart, practice by writing a paragraph that explains why transitions are important for communicating effectively in writing. Try to use transitions from at least three of the categories listed on the chart when writing your paragraph. 

Transition Words

The best stylists become masters at artfully placing transition words in pivotal positions—i.e., places where the sentence or paragraph meaning "shifts" slightly. What follows is a handy list of common transition words and their functions. If you open sentences appropriately with these words it will help your writing to flow. One caveat though: Always keep the literal meaning of a transition word in mind as you use it—therefore, do not use "for example" unless you are introducing an example that links to the preceding information; do not use "nevertheless" unless you are offering a contrasting point. Note how this paragraph has required a minimal use of transition words; they should not be forced in where they do not belong. When you do use them, keep their broader functions (i.e., "causality," "emphasis," etc.) directly in mind. 

Causality                                                       Emphasis                                              Amplification                                                      
AccordinglyAbove allAgain
ConsequentlyCertainlyAlso
For this reasonClearlyApparently
HenceIndeedBesides
ThereforeIn factEqually important
ThusIn shortFinally
 ObviouslyFirst, Second, etc.
IntentionOf courseFurther
For this purpose In addition
In order to do thisClosureMoreover
To this endIn conclusion 
With this in mindIn sumDetail
 On the wholeEspecially
LocationTo summarizeIn particular
Beyond In regard to
HereSimilarityNamely
NearbyLikewiseSpecifically
OppositeSimilarlyTo enumerate
Overlying (underlying)  
ThereTimeComparison/Contrast
To the right (left)AfterwardHowever
 At the same timeIn contrast
ConcessionBeforeIn relation to
At any rateEarlierNevertheless
At leastEventuallyOn the other hand
 In the meantimeStill
ExampleSometimes 
For exampleLaterInterpretation
For instanceNextFortunately
To demonstratePreceding thisInterestingly
To illustrateSimultaneouslySignificantly
 SoonSurprisingly


Last modified: Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 5:03 PM