essay about transition signal

• I nfographics
• Show AWL words
• Subscribe to newsletter
• What is academic writing?
• Academic Style
• What is the writing process?
• Understanding the title
• Brainstorming
• Researching
• First draft
• Proofreading
• Report writing
• Compare & contrast
• Cause & effect
• Problem-solution
• Classification
• Essay structure
• Introduction
• Literature review
• Book review
• Research proposal
• Thesis/dissertation
• What is cohesion?
• Cohesion vs coherence
• Transition signals
• What are references?
• In-text citations
• Reference sections
• Reporting verbs
• Band descriptors

Show AWL words on this page.

Levels 1-5:     grey  Levels 6-10:   orange 

Show sorted lists of these words.

Any words you don't know? Look them up in the website's built-in dictionary .

Choose a dictionary .  Wordnet  OPTED  both

Transition signals In addition... However... Likewise...

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing. This page gives information on what transition signals are , the grammar of transition signals, and different types of transition signals. There is also an example essay at the end in which you can highlight the different types of transition signal, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.

What are transition signals?

For another look at the same content, check out YouTube or Youku , or the infographic .

Transition signals, along with repeated words and reference words, are one of the main ways to achieve good cohesion and coherence in your writing. They are therefore a way to help ensure that your ideas and sentences cohere or 'stick together'. Transition signals are used to signal relationships between ideas in your writing. For example, the transition signal 'for example' is used to give examples, while the word 'while' is used to show a contrast. In addition, there are phrases like 'in addition' for adding new ideas. Likewise there are words such as 'likewise' to connect similar ideas.

Grammar of transition signals

Check out the transition signals infographic »

Broadly speaking, transition signals can be divided into three types:

• sentence connectors
• clause connectors
• other connectors

Sentence connectors are used to connect two sentences together. They are joined by a full-stop (period) or semi-colon, and are followed by a comma. The following are examples of sentence connectors.

• Transition signals are very useful. However , they should not be used to begin every sentence.
• Transition signals are very useful; however , they should not be used to begin every sentence.
• Contrast signals are one type of transition signals. In addition , there are others such as compare signals and addition signals.
• There are three main ways to improve cohesion in your writing. First , you can use transition signals.

Clause connectors are used to connect two clauses together to form one sentence. They are joined by a comma. The following are examples of clause connectors.

• Transition signals are very useful, but they should not be used to begin every sentence.
• Although transition signals are very useful, they should not be used to begin every sentence.
• Contrast signals are one type of transition signal, and there are others such as compare signals and addition signals.

Other connectors follow different grammar patterns. Many are followed by noun phrases. Some are verbs and should therefore be used as verbs in a sentence. The following are examples of other connectors.

• Despite their importance in achieving cohesion, transition signals should not be used to begin every sentence.
• Good cohesion is the result of using repeated words, reference words, and transition signals.
• It is clear that careful use of transition signals will improve the cohesion in your writing.
• Contrast signals are one type of transition signal. Another type is comparison signals.

Types of transition signals

For another look at the same content, check out the video on YouTube (also available on Youku ).

Below are examples of different types of transition signals. They are divided by type, and sub-divided according to grammar. More information on some of these is given in relevant essay sections. You can also check out the second YouTube video on the EAP Foundation YouTube channel , which looks at types in more detail, with example sentences.

To introduce an additional idea

Sentence connectors

• furthermore
• in addition
• additionally

Clause connectors

• another (+ noun)
• an additional (+ noun)

For more on comparison signals, see the compare and contrast essays section.

• in the same way
• both... and
• not only... but also
• neither... nor
• to be similar to
• to be alike
• to be similar

To contrast

For more on contrast signals, see the compare and contrast essays section.

• in contrast
• in/by comparison
• on the other hand
• compared to/with
• to be different (from)
• to be dissimilar
• to be unlike
• to differ (from)

To show concession

Concession transitions show an unexpected result. They are similar to but not the same as contrast transitions. E.g. Although the sun was shining, he took an umbrella to work. [The sun shining means taking an umbrella is unexpected.]

• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• even though
• despite (+ noun)
• in spite of (+ noun)

To introduce a cause/reason

For more on cause signals, see the cause and effect essays section.

• for this reason
• to result from
• to be the result of
• to be the effect of
• to be the consequence of
• as a result of
• as a consequence of

To introduce an effect/result

For more on effect signals, see the cause and effect essays section.

• as a result
• as a consequence
• consequently
• to result in
• to have an effect on
• the cause of
• the reason for

To give an example

• for example
• for instance
• in this case
• such as (+ noun)
• an example of (+ noun)
• to demonstrate

To show chronological order

• first, second, etc.
• first of all
• the first, the second
• the next, the last, the final
• before (lunch etc.)
• after (the war etc.)
• since (1970 etc.)
• in the year (2000 etc.)

To show order of importance

• first and foremost
• more/most importantly
• a more important
• the most important
• the second most significant
• the primary

To show an alternative

• alternatively

To identify or clarify

• in other words
• specifically

To reinforce

To conclude.

• in conclusion
• to summarise
• to conclude
• It is clear that...
• We can see that...
• The evidence suggests...
• These examples show...

Example essay

Below is an example essay. It is the one used in the persuasion essay section. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different types of transition signal in this essay.

Title: Consider whether human activity has made the world a better place.

History shows that human beings have come a long way from where they started. They have developed new technologies which means that everybody can enjoy luxuries they never previously imagined. However , the technologies that are temporarily making this world a better place to live could well prove to be an ultimate disaster due to , among other things, the creation of nuclear weapons, increasing pollution, and loss of animal species. The biggest threat to the earth caused by modern human activity comes from the creation of nuclear weapons. Although it cannot be denied that countries have to defend themselves, the kind of weapons that some of them currently possess are far in excess of what is needed for defence. If these weapons were used, they could lead to the destruction of the entire planet. Another harm caused by human activity to this earth is pollution. People have become reliant on modern technology, which can have adverse effects on the environment. For example , reliance on cars causes air and noise pollution. Even seemingly innocent devices, such as computers and mobile phones, use electricity, most of which is produced from coal-burning power stations, which further adds to environmental pollution. If we do not curb our direct and indirect use of fossil fuels, the harm to the environment may be catastrophic. Animals are an important feature of this earth and the past decades have witnessed the extinction of a considerable number of animal species. This is the consequence of human encroachment on wildlife habitats, for example deforestation to expand human cities. Some may argue that such loss of species is natural and has occurred throughout earth's history. However , the current rate of species loss far exceeds normal levels, and is threatening to become a mass extinction event. In summary , there is no doubt that current human activities such as the creation of nuclear weapons, pollution, and destruction of wildlife, are harmful to the earth. It is important for us to see not only the short-term effects of our actions, but their long-term effects as well. Otherwise , human activities will be just another step towards destruction.

GET FREE EBOOK

Like the website? Try the books. Enter your email to receive a free sample from Academic Writing Genres .

Below is a checklist for transition signals. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

Next section

Find out how more about hedging in the next section.

Previous section

Go back to the previous section about cohesion .

You need to login to view the exercises. If you do not already have an account, you can register for free.

• Register        
• Forgot password        
• Resend activiation email

Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 03 February 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Change will not be effected, say some others, unless individual actions raise the necessary awareness.

While a reader can see the connection between the sentences above, it’s not immediately clear that the second sentence is providing a counterargument to the first. In the example below, key “old information” is repeated in the second sentence to help readers quickly see the connection. This makes the sequence of ideas easier to follow.  

Sentence pair #2: Effective Transition

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change.

You can use this same technique to create clear transitions between paragraphs. Here’s an example:

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change. According to Annie Lowery, individual actions are important to making social change because when individuals take action, they can change values, which can lead to more people becoming invested in fighting climate change. She writes, “Researchers believe that these kinds of household-led trends can help avert climate catastrophe, even if government and corporate actions are far more important” (Lowery).

So, what’s an individual household supposed to do?

The repetition of the word “household” in the new paragraph helps readers see the connection between what has come before (a discussion of whether household actions matter) and what is about to come (a proposal for what types of actions households can take to combat climate change).

Sometimes, transitional words can help readers see how ideas are connected. But it’s not enough to just include a “therefore,” “moreover,” “also,” or “in addition.” You should choose these words carefully to show your readers what kind of connection you are making between your ideas.

To decide which transitional word to use, start by identifying the relationship between your ideas. For example, you might be

• making a comparison or showing a contrast Transitional words that compare and contrast include also, in the same way, similarly, in contrast, yet, on the one hand, on the other hand. But before you signal comparison, ask these questions: Do your readers need another example of the same thing? Is there a new nuance in this next point that distinguishes it from the previous example? For those relationships between ideas, you might try this type of transition: While x may appear the same, it actually raises a new question in a slightly different way. 
• expressing agreement or disagreement When you are making an argument, you need to signal to readers where you stand in relation to other scholars and critics. You may agree with another person’s claim, you may want to concede some part of the argument even if you don’t agree with everything, or you may disagree. Transitional words that signal agreement, concession, and disagreement include however, nevertheless, actually, still, despite, admittedly, still, on the contrary, nonetheless .
• showing cause and effect Transitional phrases that show cause and effect include therefore, hence, consequently, thus, so. Before you choose one of these words, make sure that what you are about to illustrate is really a causal link. Novice writers tend to add therefore and hence when they aren’t sure how to transition; you should reserve these words for when they accurately signal the progression of your ideas.
• explaining or elaborating Transitions can signal to readers that you are going to expand on a point that you have just made or explain something further. Transitional words that signal explanation or elaboration include in other words, for example, for instance, in particular, that is, to illustrate, moreover .
• drawing conclusions You can use transitions to signal to readers that you are moving from the body of your argument to your conclusions. Before you use transitional words to signal conclusions, consider whether you can write a stronger conclusion by creating a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than by flagging the paragraph simply as a conclusion. Transitional words that signal a conclusion include in conclusion , as a result, ultimately, overall— but strong conclusions do not necessarily have to include those phrases.

If you’re not sure which transitional words to use—or whether to use one at all—see if you can explain the connection between your paragraphs or sentence either out loud or in the margins of your draft.

For example, if you write a paragraph in which you summarize physician Atul Gawande’s argument about the value of incremental care, and then you move on to a paragraph that challenges those ideas, you might write down something like this next to the first paragraph: “In this paragraph I summarize Gawande’s main claim.” Then, next to the second paragraph, you might write, “In this paragraph I present a challenge to Gawande’s main claim.” Now that you have identified the relationship between those two paragraphs, you can choose the most effective transition between them. Since the second paragraph in this example challenges the ideas in the first, you might begin with something like “but,” or “however,” to signal that shift for your readers.  

• picture_as_pdf Transitions

Transitions

What this handout is about.

In this crazy, mixed-up world of ours, transitions glue our ideas and our essays together. This handout will introduce you to some useful transitional expressions and help you employ them effectively.

The function and importance of transitions

In both academic writing and professional writing, your goal is to convey information clearly and concisely, if not to convert the reader to your way of thinking. Transitions help you to achieve these goals by establishing logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your papers. In other words, transitions tell readers what to do with the information you present to them. Whether single words, quick phrases, or full sentences, they function as signs that tell readers how to think about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they read through what you have written.

Transitions signal relationships between ideas—relationships such as: “Another example coming up—stay alert!” or “Here’s an exception to my previous statement” or “Although this idea appears to be true, here’s the real story.” Basically, transitions provide the reader with directions for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument. Transitions are not just verbal decorations that embellish your paper by making it sound or read better. They are words with particular meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your ideas. In providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the logic of how your ideas fit together.

Signs that you might need to work on your transitions

How can you tell whether you need to work on your transitions? Here are some possible clues:

• Your instructor has written comments like “choppy,” “jumpy,” “abrupt,” “flow,” “need signposts,” or “how is this related?” on your papers.
• Your readers (instructors, friends, or classmates) tell you that they had trouble following your organization or train of thought.
• You tend to write the way you think—and your brain often jumps from one idea to another pretty quickly.
• You wrote your paper in several discrete “chunks” and then pasted them together.
• You are working on a group paper; the draft you are working on was created by pasting pieces of several people’s writing together.

Organization

Since the clarity and effectiveness of your transitions will depend greatly on how well you have organized your paper, you may want to evaluate your paper’s organization before you work on transitions. In the margins of your draft, summarize in a word or short phrase what each paragraph is about or how it fits into your analysis as a whole. This exercise should help you to see the order of and connection between your ideas more clearly.

If after doing this exercise you find that you still have difficulty linking your ideas together in a coherent fashion, your problem may not be with transitions but with organization. For help in this area (and a more thorough explanation of the “reverse outlining” technique described in the previous paragraph), please see the Writing Center’s handout on organization .

How transitions work

The organization of your written work includes two elements: (1) the order in which you have chosen to present the different parts of your discussion or argument, and (2) the relationships you construct between these parts. Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization clearer and easier to follow. Take a look at the following example:

El Pais , a Latin American country, has a new democratic government after having been a dictatorship for many years. Assume that you want to argue that El Pais is not as democratic as the conventional view would have us believe.

One way to effectively organize your argument would be to present the conventional view and then to provide the reader with your critical response to this view. So, in Paragraph A you would enumerate all the reasons that someone might consider El Pais highly democratic, while in Paragraph B you would refute these points. The transition that would establish the logical connection between these two key elements of your argument would indicate to the reader that the information in paragraph B contradicts the information in paragraph A. As a result, you might organize your argument, including the transition that links paragraph A with paragraph B, in the following manner:

Paragraph A: points that support the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.

Transition: Despite the previous arguments, there are many reasons to think that El Pais’s new government is not as democratic as typically believed.

Paragraph B: points that contradict the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.

In this case, the transition words “Despite the previous arguments,” suggest that the reader should not believe paragraph A and instead should consider the writer’s reasons for viewing El Pais’s democracy as suspect.

As the example suggests, transitions can help reinforce the underlying logic of your paper’s organization by providing the reader with essential information regarding the relationship between your ideas. In this way, transitions act as the glue that binds the components of your argument or discussion into a unified, coherent, and persuasive whole.

Types of transitions

Now that you have a general idea of how to go about developing effective transitions in your writing, let us briefly discuss the types of transitions your writing will use.

The types of transitions available to you are as diverse as the circumstances in which you need to use them. A transition can be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire paragraph. In each case, it functions the same way: First, the transition either directly summarizes the content of a preceding sentence, paragraph, or section or implies such a summary (by reminding the reader of what has come before). Then, it helps the reader anticipate or comprehend the new information that you wish to present.

• Transitions between sections: Particularly in longer works, it may be necessary to include transitional paragraphs that summarize for the reader the information just covered and specify the relevance of this information to the discussion in the following section.
• Transitions between paragraphs: If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places.
• Transitions within paragraphs: As with transitions between sections and paragraphs, transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases.

Transitional expressions

Effectively constructing each transition often depends upon your ability to identify words or phrases that will indicate for the reader the kind of logical relationships you want to convey. The table below should make it easier for you to find these words or phrases. Whenever you have trouble finding a word, phrase, or sentence to serve as an effective transition, refer to the information in the table for assistance. Look in the left column of the table for the kind of logical relationship you are trying to express. Then look in the right column of the table for examples of words or phrases that express this logical relationship.

Keep in mind that each of these words or phrases may have a slightly different meaning. Consult a dictionary or writer’s handbook if you are unsure of the exact meaning of a word or phrase.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift

• Jump to menu
• Student Home
• Accept your offer
• How to enrol
• Student ID card
• Set up your IT
• Orientation Week
• Fees & payment
• Academic calendar
• Special consideration
• Transcripts
• The Nucleus: Student Hub
• Referencing
• Essay writing
• Learning abroad & exchange
• Professional development & UNSW Advantage
• Employability
• Financial assistance
• International students
• Equitable learning
• Postgraduate research
• Health Service
• Events & activities
• Emergencies
• Volunteering
• Clubs and societies
• Accommodation
• Health services
• Sport and gym
• Arc student organisation
• Security on campus
• Maps of campus
• Careers portal
• Change password

Transition Signals in Writing

What are transition signals.

Transition signals are connecting words or phrases that strengthen the internal cohesion of your writing. Transition signals act like bridges between parts of your writing. They link your sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that they flow and there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.

Transition signals also act like signposts making 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 between separate sentences, paragraphs or topics.

There are several types of 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.

Sample text

The following words and phrases can be used to indicate transitions and to cue your reader about how ideas are logically connected in your writing. This list is also helpful for providing alternative options if you find yourself constantly using the same linking word or phrase.

To indicate sequence or to logically order ideas

first, second, third etc.

followed by

before, after

next, finally

previously, subsequently

initially, followed by

concurrently

at that time

To refer to a specific incident or example

for example

to illustrate

for instance

in the case of case

specifically

in this case

on this occasion

To provide emphasis or indicate importance

particularly

To indicate time

at that/this point

immediately

simultaneously

then, later

at that/ this time

To compare and/ or contrast

To compare:

• on the one hand
• correspondingly

in the same way

To contrast:

in contrast

on the other hand

• a different view is

on the contrary

• differing from
• balanced against
• by/ in comparison

To indicate result or cause and effect

as a result (of this)

consequently

as a consequence

accordingly

for this reason

because (of this)

so much (so) that

To introduce a similar idea

To add another idea or more information.

in addition

furthermore

it could also be said

additionally

To introduce an opposite idea, to show exception or concession

alternatively

it could also be said that

nevertheless

despite/in spite of (this)

even though

nonetheless

notwithstanding (this)

regardless (of this)

To give an example

take the case of

to demonstrate

To identify or clarify

that is (to say)

in other words

To summarise or conclude

on the whole

in conclusion

as a result

to summarise

• Transition signals in writing
• Quotations and paraphrases
• Punctuation
• Paraphrasing, summarising, quoting
• ^ More support

Study Hacks Workshops | All the hacks you need! 7 Feb – 10 Apr 2024

• Support LUC
• Directories
• KRONOS Timecard
• Employee Self-Service
• Password Self-service
• Academic Affairs
• Advancement
• Admission: Adult B.A.
• Admission: Grad/Prof
• Admission: International
• Admission: Undergrad
• Alumni Email
• Alumni Relations
• Arrupe College
• Bursar's Office
• Campus Ministry
• Career Centers
• Center for Student Assistance and Advocacy
• Colleges and Schools
• Commencement
• Conference Services
• Continuing Education
• Course Evaluations IDEA
• Cuneo Mansion & Gardens
• Dining Services
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Emeriti Faculty Caucus
• Enterprise Learning Hub
• Executive and Professional Education
• Faculty Activity System
• Financial Aid
• Human Resources
• IBHE Institutional Complaint System
• Information Technology Services
• Institute of Environmental Sustainability
• Learning Portfolio
• Loyola Health App
• Loyola University Chicago Retiree Association (LUCRA)
• Madonna della Strada Chapel
• Media Relations
• Navigate Staff
• Office of First Year Experience
• Office of Institutional Effectiveness
• President's Office
• Rambler Buzz
• Registration and Records
• Residence Life
• Retreat & Ecology Campus
• Rome Center
• Security/Police
• Staff Council
• Student Achievement
• Student Consumer Information
• Student Development
• Study Abroad
• Summer Sessions
• University Policies

Writing Center

Loyola university chicago, transitions & signal words.

We use transitions in writing to connect ideas and signal to readers that we are moving through our discussion. Transitions help writers organize their papers and help readers understand how ideas and parts of the paper fit together. These transitions can occur Between Paragraphs and Between Sentences .

  Between Paragraphs

Each of your paragraphs should refer to a previous idea. In order to make sure the ideas flow logically, we use transitions between paragraphs to link ideas and show readers how the paragraphs are connected. Example phrases include:

• While A suggests B, C suggests D.
• After looking at A, we move to B.
• In addition, C also argues D.

  Between Sentences

We use transitions between sentences to link ideas and help the sentences flow coherently.

Use transition words such as first , next , however , and in addition to show the relationships among sentences and ideas. Repeat key words or phrases to tie related sentences together:

The new black middle class came of age in the 1960s during an unprecedented American economic boom and in the hub of a thriving mass culture . The economic boom made luxury goods and convenient services available to large numbers of hard-working Americans for the first time. American mass culture presented models of the good life principally in terms of conspicuous consumption and hedonistic indulgence.

—Cornel West, Race Matters*

Use parallel phrases—phrases that begin with the same word or that share the same grammatical structure—to emphasize connections among similar examples or related pieces of information:

I spent my two days at Disneyland taking rides . I took a bobsled through the Matterhorn and a submarine under the Polar Ice Cap and a rocket jet to the Cosmic Vapor Curtain. I took Peter Pan’s Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Alice’s Scary Adventures, and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. I took a steamboat and a jungle boat. I took the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Coyote Country and the Splash Mountain roller coaster to Critter Country. […] More precisely, those rides took me : up and down and around sudden corners and over rooftops, and all I had to do was sit back and let whatever conveyance I was sitting in do the driving.

—William Zinsser, American Places*

Common Transition Words and Phrases:

To Add: and, again, and then, besides, finally, further, too, in addition, moreover, as equally important, as well, also, furthermore, likewise, moreover, similarly, still, next

To Compare/Contrast: but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, nonetheless, rather, instead

To Prove: because, for, since, for the same reason, furthermore, moreover, indeed, in fact, as a result, consequently, accordingly, thus

To Show Exception: yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, aside from, barring, except, excluding, other than, save

To Show Time/Sequence: immediately, thereafter, soon, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, third, fourth, etc.), next, first of all, to begin with, in turn, meanwhile, afterward, in conclusion, following, subsequently, previously, simultaneously, concurrently, after, before, consequently, previously, hence

To Repeat/Summarize: as I have said, as I have noted, as I have shown, as a result, in brief, in short, finally, to summarize, therefore, after all, in any case, in other words, once again, consequently

To Emphasize: definitely, extremely, surprisingly, without a doubt, certainly, above all, chiefly, especially, particularly

To Give an Example: for example, for instance, to illustrate, in this situation, to demonstrate, in this case, in particular, namely, specifically, such as, including

To Generalize: as a rule, for the most part, generally speaking, usually

• Undergraduate
• Graduate/ Professional
• Adult Education

Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

7.3: Use transitions and signposts to develop relationships between ideas

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 15700

• Carol Burnell, Jaime Wood, Monique Babin, Susan Pesznecker, and Nicole Rosevear
• Clackamas Community & Portland State University via OpenOregon

So you have a main idea, and you have supporting ideas, but how can you be sure that your readers will understand the relationships between them? How are the ideas tied to each other? One way to emphasize these relationships is through the use of clear transitions between ideas. Like every other part of your essay, transitions have a job to do. They form logical connections between the ideas presented in an essay or paragraph, and they give readers clues that reveal how you want them to think about (process, organize, or use) the topics presented.

Why are Transitions Important?

Transitions signal the order of ideas, highlight relationships, unify concepts, and let readers know what’s coming next or remind them about what’s already been covered. When instructors or peers comment that your writing is choppy, abrupt, or needs to “flow better,” those are some signals that you might need to work on building some better transitions into your writing. If a reader comments that she’s not sure how something relates to your thesis or main idea, a transition is probably the right tool for the job.

When Is the Right Time to Build in Transitions?

There’s no right answer to this question. Sometimes transitions occur spontaneously, but just as often (or maybe even more often) good transitions are developed in revision. While drafting, we often write what we think, sometimes without much reflection about how the ideas fit together or relate to one another. If your thought process jumps around a lot (and that’s okay), it’s more likely that you will need to pay careful attention to reorganization and to providing solid transitions as you revise.

When you’re working on building transitions into an essay, consider the essay’s overall organization. Consider using reverse outlining and other organizational strategies presented in this text to identify key ideas in your essay and to get a clearer look at how the ideas can be best organized. See the “ Reverse Outlining ” section in the “Revision” portion of this text, for a great strategy to help you assess what’s going on in your essay and to help you see what topics and organization are developing. This can help you determine where transitions are needed.

Let’s take some time to consider the importance of transitions at the sentence level and transitions between paragraphs.

Sentence-Level Transitions

Transitions between sentences often use “connecting words” to emphasize relationships between one sentence and another. A friend and coworker suggests the “something old something new” approach, meaning that the idea behind a transition is to introduce something new while connecting it to something old from an earlier point in the essay or paragraph. Here are some examples of ways that writers use connecting words (highlighted with red text and italicized) to show connections between ideas in adjacent sentences:

To Show Similarity

When I was growing up, my mother taught me to say “please” and “thank you” as one small way that I could show appreciation and respect for others. In the same way , I have tried to impress the importance of manners on my own children.

Other connecting words that show similarity include also , similarly , and likewise .

To Show Contrast

Some scientists take the existence of black holes for granted; however , in 2014, a physicist at the University of North Carolina claimed to have mathematically proven that they do not exist.

Other connecting words that show contrast include in spite of , on the other hand , in contrast , and yet .

To Exemplify

The cost of college tuition is higher than ever, so students are becoming increasingly motivated to keep costs as low as possible. For example , a rising number of students are signing up to spend their first two years at a less costly community college before transferring to a more expensive four-year school to finish their degrees.

Other connecting words that show example include for instance , specifically , and to illustrate .

To Show Cause and Effect

Where previously painters had to grind and mix their own dry pigments with linseed oil inside their studios, in the 1840s, new innovations in pigments allowed paints to be premixed in tubes. Consequently , this new technology facilitated the practice of painting outdoors and was a crucial tool for impressionist painters, such as Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, and Cassatt.

Other connecting words that show cause and effect include therefore , so , and thus .

To Show Additional Support

When choosing a good trail bike, experts recommend 120–140 millimeters of suspension travel; that’s the amount that the frame or fork is able to flex or compress. Additionally , they recommend a 67–69 degree head-tube angle, as a steeper head-tube angle allows for faster turning and climbing.

Other connecting words that show additional support include also , besides, equally important , and in addition .

A Word of Caution

Single-word or short-phrase transitions can be helpful to signal a shift in ideas within a paragraph, rather than between paragraphs (see the discussion below about transitions between paragraphs). But it’s also important to understand that these types of transitions shouldn’t be frequent within a paragraph. As with anything else that happens in your writing, they should be used when they feel natural and feel like the right choice. Here are some examples to help you see the difference between transitions that feel like they occur naturally and transitions that seem forced and make the paragraph awkward to read:

Too Many Transitions: The Impressionist painters of the late 19th century are well known for their visible brush strokes, for their ability to convey a realistic sense of light, and for their everyday subjects portrayed in outdoor settings. In spite of this fact , many casual admirers of their work are unaware of the scientific innovations that made it possible this movement in art to take place. Then , In 1841, an American painter named John Rand invented the collapsible paint tube. To illustrate the importance of this invention , pigments previously had to be ground and mixed in a fairly complex process that made it difficult for artists to travel with them. For example , the mixtures were commonly stored in pieces of pig bladder to keep the paint from drying out. In addition , when working with their palettes, painters had to puncture the bladder, squeeze out some paint, and then mend the bladder again to keep the rest of the paint mixture from drying out. Thus , Rand’s collapsible tube freed the painters from these cumbersome and messy processes, allowing artists to be more mobile and to paint in the open air.

Subtle Transitions that Aid Reader Understanding : The Impressionist painters of the late 19th century are well known for their visible brush strokes, for their ability to convey a realistic sense of light, for their everyday subjects portrayed in outdoor settings. However , many casual admirers of their work are unaware of the scientific innovations that made it possible for this movement in art to take place. In 1841, an American painter named John Rand invented the collapsible paint tube. Before this invention , pigments had to be ground and mixed in a fairly complex process that made it difficult for artists to travel with them. The mixtures were commonly stored in pieces of pig bladder to keep the paint from drying out. When working with their palettes, painters had to puncture the bladder, squeeze out some paint, and then mend the bladder again to keep the rest of the paint mixture from drying out. Rand’s collapsible tube freed the painters from these cumbersome and messy processes, allowing artists to be more mobile and to paint in the open air.

Transitions between Paragraphs and Sections

It’s important to consider how to emphasize the relationships not just between sentences but also between paragraphs in your essay. Here are a few strategies to help you show your readers how the main ideas of your paragraphs relate to each other and also to your thesis.

Use Signposts

Signposts are words or phrases that indicate where you are in the process of organizing an idea; for example, signposts might indicate that you are introducing a new concept, that you are summarizing an idea, or that you are concluding your thoughts. Some of the most common signposts include words and phrases like first, then, next, finally, in sum , and in conclusion . Be careful not to overuse these types of transitions in your writing. Your readers will quickly find them tiring or too obvious. Instead, think of more creative ways to let your readers know where they are situated within the ideas presented in your essay. You might say, “The first problem with this practice is…” Or you might say, “The next thing to consider is…” Or you might say, “Some final thoughts about this topic are….”

Use Forward-Looking Sentences at the End of Paragraphs

Sometimes, as you conclude a paragraph, you might want to give your readers a hint about what’s coming next. For example, imagine that you’re writing an essay about the benefits of trees to the environment and you’ve just wrapped up a paragraph about how trees absorb pollutants and provide oxygen. You might conclude with a forward-looking sentence like this: “Trees benefits to local air quality are important, but surely they have more to offer our communities than clean air.” This might conclude a paragraph (or series of paragraphs) and then prepare your readers for additional paragraphs to come that cover the topics of trees’ shade value and ability to slow water evaporation on hot summer days. This transitional strategy can be tricky to employ smoothly. Make sure that the conclusion of your paragraph doesn’t sound like you’re leaving your readers hanging with the introduction of a completely new or unrelated topic.

Use Backward-Looking Sentences at the Beginning of Paragraphs

Rather than concluding a paragraph by looking forward, you might instead begin a paragraph by looking back. Continuing with the example above of an essay about the value of trees, let’s think about how we might begin a new paragraph or section by first taking a moment to look back. Maybe you just concluded a paragraph on the topic of trees’ ability to decrease soil erosion and you’re getting ready to talk about how they provide habitats for urban wildlife. Beginning the opening of a new paragraph or section of the essay with a backward-looking transition might look something like this: “While their benefits to soil and water conservation are great, the value that trees provide to our urban wildlife also cannot be overlooked.”

Evaluate Transitions for Predictability or Conspicuousness

Finally, the most important thing about transitions is that you don’t want them to become repetitive or too obvious. Reading your draft aloud is a great revision strategy for so many reasons, and revising your essay for transitions is no exception to this rule. If you read your essay aloud, you’re likely to hear the areas that sound choppy or abrupt. This can help you make note of areas where transitions need to be added. Repetition is another problem that can be easier to spot if you read your essay aloud. If you notice yourself using the same transitions over and over again, take time to find some alternatives. And if the transitions frequently stand out as you read aloud, you may want to see if you can find some subtler strategies.

Exercise: Try Out Some New Transition Strategies

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Choose an essay or piece of writing, either that you’re currently working on, or that you’ve written in the past. Identify your major topics or main ideas. Then, using this chapter, develop at least three examples of sentence-level transitions and at least two examples of paragraph-level transitions. Share and discuss with your classmates in small groups, and choose one example of each type from your group to share with the whole class. If you like the results, you might use them to revise your writing. If not, try some other strategies.

• Search entire site
• Search for a course
• Browse study areas

Analytics and Data Science

• Data Science and Innovation
• Postgraduate Research Courses
• Business Research Programs
• Undergraduate Business Programs
• Entrepreneurship
• MBA Programs
• Postgraduate Business Programs

Communication

• Animation Production
• Business Consulting and Technology Implementation
• Digital and Social Media
• Media Arts and Production
• Media Business
• Media Practice and Industry
• Music and Sound Design
• Social and Political Sciences
• Strategic Communication
• Writing and Publishing
• Postgraduate Communication Research Degrees

Design, Architecture and Building

• Architecture
• Built Environment
• DAB Research
• Public Policy and Governance
• Secondary Education
• Education (Learning and Leadership)
• Learning Design
• Postgraduate Education Research Degrees
• Primary Education

Engineering

• Civil and Environmental
• Computer Systems and Software
• Engineering Management
• Mechanical and Mechatronic
• Systems and Operations
• Telecommunications
• Postgraduate Engineering courses
• Undergraduate Engineering courses
• Sport and Exercise
• Palliative Care
• Public Health
• Nursing (Undergraduate)
• Nursing (Postgraduate)
• Health (Postgraduate)
• Research and Honours
• Health Services Management
• Child and Family Health
• Women's and Children's Health

Health (GEM)

• Coursework Degrees
• Clinical Psychology
• Genetic Counselling
• Good Manufacturing Practice
• Physiotherapy
• Speech Pathology
• Research Degrees

Information Technology

• Business Analysis and Information Systems
• Computer Science, Data Analytics/Mining
• Games, Graphics and Multimedia
• IT Management and Leadership
• Networking and Security
• Software Development and Programming
• Systems Design and Analysis
• Web and Cloud Computing
• Postgraduate IT courses
• Postgraduate IT online courses
• Undergraduate Information Technology courses
• International Studies
• Criminology
• International Relations
• Postgraduate International Studies Research Degrees
• Sustainability and Environment
• Practical Legal Training
• Commercial and Business Law
• Juris Doctor
• Legal Studies
• Master of Laws
• Intellectual Property
• Migration Law and Practice
• Overseas Qualified Lawyers
• Postgraduate Law Programs
• Postgraduate Law Research
• Undergraduate Law Programs
• Life Sciences
• Mathematical and Physical Sciences
• Postgraduate Science Programs
• Science Research Programs
• Undergraduate Science Programs

Transdisciplinary Innovation

• Creative Intelligence and Innovation
• Diploma in Innovation
• Transdisciplinary Learning
• Postgraduate Research Degree

Transition signals

Supporting Study portal

Your go-to for support options, study resources, fun stuff and general help with being a student at UTS. 

Get uni sorted now

What are transition signals?

Transition signals are linking words or phrases that connect your ideas and add cohesion to your writing. They signpost or indicate to the reader the relationships between sentences and between paragraphs, making it easier for the reader to understand your ideas. We use a variety of transition signals to fulfil a number of functions. Some of these functions include: to show the order or sequence of events; to indicate that a new idea or an example will follow; to show that a contrasting idea will be presented, or to signal a summary or a conclusion.

How are transition signals useful?

Transition signals will:

•     make it easier for the reader to follow your ideas.

•     create powerful links between sentences and paragraphs to improve the flow of information across the whole text. The result is that the writing is smoother.

•     help to carry over a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another or from one paragraph to another.

How are transition signals used?

•     Transition signals are usually placed at the start of sentences; however, they may also appear in the middle or end of sentences.

•     A transition signal, or the clause introduced by a transition signal, is usually separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

•     You DO NOT need to use transition signals in every sentence in a paragraph; however, good use of transition words will help to make the relationship between the ideas in your writing clear and logical.

Which transition signals can I use?

Before choosing a particular transition signal to use, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure that it's the right match for the logic in your paper. Transition signals all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations.

•     To introduce an example:

•     To introduce an opposite idea or show exception:

•     To show agreement:

•     To introduce an additional idea:

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

•     To indicate time:

•     To compare:

•     To contrast:

•     To show cause and effect:

•     To summarise or conclude:

The example below illustrates how transition signals can be used to improve the quality of a piece of writing. Note how the ideas flow more smoothly and the logical relationships between the ideas are expressed clearly.

At HELPS, we endeavour to support UTS students in a number of ways. First , we offer 15-minute ‘drop in’ sessions with a HELPS Advisor. Making an appointment for these sessions is not necessary. Here , students can gain assistance with their academic writing and presentation skills. Specifically , students may ask for assistance with: understanding an assignment question; understanding assessment criteria; clarifying an assignment type (e.g. what’s a literature review?); planning for an assignment; strategies for effective reading/note-taking skills; and obtaining information from self-study resources. During this time , the HELPS Advisor may refer students for a longer, 40-minute consultation. Students cannot, however , book one-to-one advice sessions online; only a HELPS Advisor can do that.

Getting one-to-one advice is an opportunity for an in-depth discussion with a HELPS Advisor in relation to your specific needs on an assessment. For example , you may require assistance preparing for an oral presentation. Alternatively , you may ask a HELPS Advisor to discuss a draft of an assignment to ensure that you have addressed the assessment criteria. While HELPS Advisors cannot edit your work, they can point out persistent errors in your text and show you how to correct these. In other words , they can help you to edit your own work. 

In brief , there are many ways that HELPS can support UTS students. Students are encouraged to drop by the HELPS office which is situated in Building 1, level 5, room 25.

The Learning Centre 2013, Transition signals in writing , UNSW, viewed 20 September 2013, < https://student.unsw.edu.au/transition-signals-writing >.

Unilearning 2000, Transition signals , UOW, viewed 20 September 2013, <The UniLearning website is no longer available>.

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

BibGuru Blog

Be more productive in school

• Citation Styles

Transition words for essays

The right transition words can transform a mediocre essay into a great paper. In this post, we discuss why effective transitions can substantially improve the quality and readability of your essay and provide examples of commonly used transition words.

What are transitions?

Transitions are the places in your paper where you move on to a new idea or paragraph. They may also be points at which you want to add to, expand upon, or conclude a previous statement.

The best transitions are signaled clearly by keywords and phrases that let the reader know that you’re moving on. Transition words typically occur at the beginning of a sentence.

How do transition words improve your essay?

Quality transitions are often the difference between a decent essay and a strong one. Transition words give clear signals to the reader that you are moving on to a new idea and this enables them to more easily follow your argument.

When a reader can efficiently follow the main threads of your paper, then they are more likely to be persuaded by your argument, which is the point of papers like argumentative essays .

Types of transition words

The transition words that you use in your paper will naturally depend on what kind of transition you’re making. In this section, we break down the main types of transitions that you might use in your essay and provide examples of common transition words.

Adding a point

There may be multiple times throughout a paper where you want to add to a point that you made or that came from one of your sources. To signal this, you might use one of the following phrases:

• additionally
• furthermore
• in addition

Elaborating on a point

At other times, you may need to expand, or elaborate upon, a previously stated idea. In that case, you may utilize one of these keywords:

• by extension
• in other words
• put differently

Introducing examples

Sometimes you may want to introduce an example that illustrates a previous point. To introduce examples, you can use one of the following phrases:

• for example
• for instance
• specifically
• to take a case in point

Indicating comparisons and contrasts

Some types of essays, like position papers, require you to introduce contrasting points of view. In order to transition from one perspective to another, you may want to use a transition word or phrase that signals a comparison or contrast:

Comparison :

• along the same lines
• in the same way
• in the same vein
• by contrast
• even though
• in contrast
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• on the contrary
• on the other hand

Showing cause and effect

If you’re building an argument and you want to indicate that one point is dependent on another, you might want to employ one of these phrases to signal that transition:

• accordingly
• as a result
• consequently

When you are ready to conclude a point or prepare your reader for your paper’s conclusion, it’s important to signal that you’re at that stage. Consider using one of these transition words to do so:

• in conclusion
• to summarize

If you are transitioning between your own words and borrowed material from secondary sources, be sure to properly cite any ideas that aren’t your own. You can use the BibGuru citation generator to create instant, accurate citations for a range of source types, including books , articles , and websites .

Frequently Asked Questions about transition words for essays

Commonly used transition words include: additionally, although, as a result, for example, for instance, however, moreover, therefore, thus, and ultimately.

To link two points together, or to add to a previous point, you might use transition words like:

The most popular types of transitions are those that introduce examples or that add to, elaborate upon, compare or contrast, or conclude a previous point.

To signal a transition in an essay, use a transition word or phrase. Choose a phrase based on the kind of transition that you’re making.

Transition words give clear signals to the reader that you are moving on to a new idea and or that you want to add to, expand, or conclude a previous point. Transition words can also be used to introduce examples and to indicate a comparison or contrast.

Make your life easier with our productivity and writing resources.

For students and teachers.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

87 Signal Phrases and Transitions

John Lanning and Amanda Lloyd

A signal phrase, also known as an attributive tag, is a device used to smoothly integrate quotations and paraphrases into your essay. It is important to use signal phrases to clearly attribute supporting evidence to an author and to avoid interrupting the flow of an essay. Signal phrases can also be used as meaningful transitions, moving your readers between your ideas and those of your sources.

A basic signal phrase consists of an author’s name and an active verb indicating how the author is presenting the material. A signal phrase may also include information explaining an author’s credentials and/or affiliations as well as the title and/or publisher of the source text.

Referring to the Author within a Signal Phrase

In many instances, a signal phrase should contain only the last name of the author or authors of the source text (as opposed to the author’s first  and  last name). For instance, APA style guidelines require no reference to an author’s first name at any point in an essay and few if any gender specific pronouns.  But in MLA papers, if you are referring to an author for the first time in your essay, you should include that author’s first name (you might also want to include the author’s credentials and the title of the source—see “Types of Signal Phrases” below). Any future signal phrase should refer to the author by last name only or with a pronoun when it’s perfectly clear to whom that pronoun refers. For example:

• Michael Pollan observes that “Americans today are having a national conversation about food and agriculture that would have been impossible to imagine even a few short years ago” (29).
• Pollan continues, “But the national conversation unfolding around the subject of food and farming really began in the 1970s” (29).
• He then specifies, “I would argue that the conversation got under way in earnest in 1971, when [Wendell] Berry published an article in The Last Whole Earth Catalogue” (29).

Notice how each signal phrase verb is followed by a comma (or the word “that”), which is then followed by one space before the opening quotation mark.

In essays written according to MLA and APA guidelines, it is acceptable to refer to the author as “the author” as long as it is perfectly clear to whom you are referring. In APA, it is common to see general references to “researchers.”

Signal Phrase Verb Tense

In the examples above, notice how the signal phrase verbs are written in present tense. When you are asked to write a paper that follows MLA guidelines, signal phrases should always be written in present (not past) tense. When writing a paper using APA style, signal phrase verbs should be written in past tense. For example:

• Pollan (2009) observed that “Americans today are having a national conversation about food and agriculture that would have been impossible to imagine even a few short years ago” (p. 29).

Notice how APA in-text citations also differ from MLA style in that APA citations include the year of publication and the page number is preceded by a “p.”

Varying Your Verbs

You should also vary your signal phrase verbs (rather than simply using “states” throughout your entire essay) in order to maintain your readers’ interest and to indicate the author’s intended use of the excerpted material. See below for examples of strong signal phrase verbs.

Types of Signal Phrases

In most instances, the first time the author is mentioned in an MLA-style essay, as well as including the author’s first  and  last name in a signal phrase, it is also a good idea to include the author’s credentials and the title of the source.

While providing the author’s credentials and title of the source are the most common types of signal phrases, there are others we should be aware of. In the examples below, the information relevant to the type of signal phrase is underlined.

Type:   Author’s credentials are indicated.

Example:  Grace Chapmen, Curator of Human Health & Evolutionary Medicine at the Springfield Natural History Museum, explains…

Purpose:  Presenting an author’s credentials should help build credibility for the passage you are about to present. Including the author’s credentials gives your readers a reason to consider your sources.

Type:   Author’s  lack of  credentials is indicated.

Example:  Matthew Spencer, whose background is in marriage counseling, not foreign policy, claims…

Purpose:  Identifying an author’s lack of credentials in a given area can help illustrate a lack of authority on the subject matter and persuade the audience not to adopt the author’s ideas. Pointing to an author’s lack of credentials can be beneficial when developing your response to counter-arguments.

Type:   Author’s social or political stance, if necessary to the content, is explained.

Example:   Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Roland Hayes, prominent civil rights activist, preaches…

Ralph Spencer, who has ties to the White Nationalist movement, denies…

Purpose:  Explaining the author’s social or political stance can help a reader to understand why that author expresses a particular view. This understanding can positively or negatively influence an audience. Be careful to avoid engaging in logical fallacies such as loaded language.

Type:   Publisher of the source is identified.

Example:  According to a recent  CNN  poll…

Purpose:  Identifying the publisher of the passage can help reinforce the credibility of the information presented and you can capitalize on the reputation/ credibility of the publisher of the source material.

Type:   Title of the Source is included.

Example : In “Understanding Human Behavior,” Riley argues …

Purpose:  Informs the reader where the cited passage is being pulled from.

Type:   Information that establishes context is presented.

Example:  In a speech presented during a Free Speech rally, Elaine Wallace encourages …

Purpose:  Presenting the context that the original information was presented can help the audience understand the author’s purpose more clearly.

 MLA Signal Phrase Verbs

 apa signal phrase verbs.

https://owl.excelsior.edu/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=h5p_embed&id=51

Transitional Words and Phrases for University Writing

by Suzan Last

Transitional words and phrases are a type of signal phrase, too. They help guide a reader from one sentence, idea, or paragraph to the next. In previous English classes, you may have learned the basic transitional words or phrases in Table D.1. These can be effective when writing simple information in a structure where you simply add one idea after another, or want to show the order of events.

TABLE D.1 Basic beginner-level transitions

However, more complex university-level writing requires more sophisticated transitions. It requires you to connect ideas in ways that show the logic of why one idea comes after another in a complex argument or analysis. For example, you might be comparing/contrasting ideas, or showing a cause and effect relationship, providing detailed examples to illustrate an idea, or presenting a conclusion to an argument. When expressing these complex ideas, the simple transitions you’ve learned earlier will not always be effective – indeed, they may even confuse the reader.

Consider the transitions in Table D.2, and how they are categorized. While this is not an exhaustive list, it will gives you a sense of the many transitional words and phrases that you can choose from, and demonstrate the need to choose the one that most effectively conveys your meaning.

TABLE D.2 Sophisticated university-level transitions

Transitional words and phrases show the connection between ideas, and show how one idea relates to and builds upon another. They help create coherence. When transitions are missing or inappropriate, the reader has a hard time following the logic and development of ideas. The most effective transitions are sometimes invisible; they rely on the vocabulary and logic of your sentence to allow the reader to “connect the dots” and see the logical flow of your discussion.

• Repeat a word or phrase from the previous sentence (or use a synonym, related word, or antonym) to show that the same idea is still being discussed, but is being developed further
• Use the pronoun “this + noun” to show continued discussion of the idea
• Use one of the above transitional words or phrases to show HOW you are developing your idea (are you showing contrast? Are you using an example to develop your idea? Are you showing a cause and effect relationship? Are you concluding? Are you conceding a point?).

Transition Exercises:    Place the transitional words below the paragraph into the blanks where they work most logically into the paragraphs.

A vegan can be defined as someone who does not eat meat, fish, or other animal products, such as eggs or cheese; ________, they eat vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds.  __________ this diet consists of non-meat food sources, a vegan typically consumes less fat and cholesterol than an individual who consumes meat.   __________, raising animals for food uses valuable land, water, and energy.    __________, adopting a vegetarian diet can help conserve the valuable resources that our future depends on.

• consequently
• furthermore
• for example

__________ many educators and parents have praised the  Harry Potter  series, some Christian parents have called for a ban on the books in their schools and libraries.    Some churches have even gone as far as burning the books, citing biblical injunctions against witchcraft, __________ those in  Exodus  and  Leviticus .    __________, some Christians believe the books are compatible with Christianity, __________, that they embody basic Christian beliefs.

• in addition

Signal Phrases and Transitions Copyright © 2020 by Liza Long; Amy Minervini; and Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Writing Studio

Common transition words and phrases.

In an effort to make our handouts more accessible, we have begun converting our PDF handouts to web pages. Download this page as a PDF: Transitions Return to Writing Studio Handouts

Transitions clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. These tools should alert readers to shifts in your argument while and also maintain the smoothness and clarity of your prose. Below, you’ll find some of the most commonly used transition categories and examples of each. Depending on the example, these suggestions may be within sentences or at the beginning of sentences.

Transitions by Category

1. addition.

Use when presenting multiple ideas that flow in the same direction, under the same heading/ idea also, another, finally, first, first of all, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, last of all, likewise, moreover, next, and, second, the third reason

2. Sequence/ Order

Use to suggest a temporal relationship between ideas; places evidence in sequence first, second (etc.), next, last, finally, first of all, concurrently, immediately, prior to, then, at that time, at this point, previously, subsequently, and then, at this time, thereafter, previously, soon, before, after, followed by, after that, next, before, after, meanwhile, formerly, finally, during

3. Contrast

Use to demonstrate differences between ideas or change in argument direction but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, yet, differ, difference, balanced against, differing from, variation, still, on the contrary, unlike, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand, however

4. Exception

Use to introduce an opposing idea however, whereas, on the other hand, while, instead, in spite of, yet, despite, still, nevertheless, even though, in contrast, but, but one could also say…

5. Comparison

Use to demonstrate similarities between ideas that may not be under the same subject heading or within the same paragraph like, likewise, just, in a different way / sense, whereas, like, equally, in like manner, by comparison, similar to, in the same way, alike, similarity, similarly, just as, as in a similar fashion, conversely

6. Illustration

Use to develop or clarify an idea, to introduce examples, or to show that the second idea is subordinate to the first for example, to illustrate, on this occasion, this can be seen, in this case, specifically, once, to illustrate, when/where, for instance, such as, to demonstrate, take the case of, in this case

7. Location

Use to show spatial relations next to, above, below, beneath, left, right, behind, in front, on top, within

8. Cause and Effect

Use to show that one idea causes, or results from, the idea that follows or precedes it because, therefore, so that, cause, reason, effect, thus, consequently, since, as a result, if…then, result in

9. Emphasis

Use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable, the chief outcome, a vital force, especially relevant, most noteworthy, the principal item, above all, should be noted

10. Summary or Conclusion

Use to signal that what follows is summarizing or concluding the previous ideas; in humanities papers, use these phrases sparingly. to summarize, in short, in brief, in sum, in summary, to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude, finally

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .” 

Writing Effective Sentence Transitions (Advanced)

Transitions are the rhetorical tools that clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. The ability to integrate sentence transitions into your prose, rather than simply throwing in overt transition signals like “in addition,” indicates your mastery of the material. (Note: The visibility of transitions may vary by discipline; consult with your professor to get a better sense of discipline or assignment specific expectations.)

Transition Signals

Transition signals are words or phrases that indicate the logic connecting sets of information or ideas. Signals like therefore, on the other hand, for example, because, then, and afterwards can be good transition tools at the sentence and paragraph level. When using these signals, be conscious of the real meaning of these terms; they should reflect the actual relationship between ideas.

Review Words

Review words are transition tools that link groups of sentences or whole paragraphs. They condense preceding discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just completed a detailed discussion about the greenhouse effect. To transition to the next topic, you could use review words like “this heat-trapping process” to refer back to the green house effect discussion. The relative ability to determine a cogent set of review words might signal your own understanding of your work; think of review words as super-short summaries of key ideas.

Preview words

Preview words condense an upcoming discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just explained how heat is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Transitioning to the theory that humans are adding to that effect, you could use preview words like “sources of additional CO2 in the atmosphere include” to point forward to that discussion.

Transition Sentences

The strongest and most sophisticated tools, transition sentences indicate the connection between the preceding and upcoming pieces of your argument. They often contain one or more of the above transition tools. For example: You’ve just discussed how much CO2 humans have added to the atmosphere. You need to transition to a discussion of the effects. A strong set of transition sentences between the two sections might sound like this:

“These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere may lead to a number of disastrous consequences for residents of planet earth. The rise in global temperature that accompanies the extra CO2 can yield effects as varied as glacial melting and species extinction.”

In the first sentence, the review words are “These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere”; the preview words are “number of disastrous consequences”; the transition signals are “may lead to.” The topic sentence of the next paragraph indicates the specific “disastrous consequences” you will discuss.

If you don’t see a way to write a logical, effective transition between sentences, ideas or paragraphs, this might indicate organizational problems in your essay; you might consider revising your work.

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program  and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .”

Last revised: 07/2008 | Adapted for web delivery: 05/2021

In order to access certain content on this page, you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader or an equivalent PDF viewer software.

• General English
• Business English
• Academic English
• Language Excursions
• Online English Courses
• Private Lessons
• Bildungsurlaub
• Cambridge Exams
• Yellow House
• Adderley Studios
• More Accommodation Options
• Getting Around
• Visa information
• Instalment Plans
• Get a Quote
• Why Choose Us?
• Testimonials

Home  / Blog  / Improve your Writing  / 5 Common Transition Signal Errors & How to Fix Them

Five common transition signal errors and how to fix them

If you ever have the chance, google the band Modest Mouse and listen to their music. Just so that you can never do it again.

I bring this up because reading an essay where transition signals are used incorrectly is like being subjected to a lot of unpleasant noise. To recap, transition signals are words and phrases that, when used correctly, enhance the flow of an essay.  Read our post introducing some key types of transition signals here . In this article, we’ll learn how to tune our instruments and give a stellar performance that doesn’t hurt anyone’s ears, by learning what not to do.

Error #1: Using too many transition signals

As the expression goes, "too much of a good thing" (Christmas pudding, full moon dancing, etc.) can be negative. The same applies to transition signals. Some students get so excited about using them that they use more than necessary and this creates text that is choppy and confusing. Here is an example of this, plus a correction…

Luckily there are ways to avoid overusing transition signals, for instance:

• Don't use two transition signals with similar meanings in the same sentence.
• Don’t use too many short, simple sentences with transition signals; instead, combine simple ideas using fewer transition signals.
• Ask yourself if the transition signal is necessary, or if it creates confusion in which you’re better off without it. For example:

The teacher encouraged students to rate how satisfied they were with the course. Therefore, the average rating was 8.5.

This doesn’t make sense as the second sentence implies that the average student rating was related to the teacher’s encouragement of students to rate the course. So, the transition signal is unnecessary.

The teacher encouraged students to rate how satisfied they were with the course. Therefore, The average rating was 8.5.

Error #2: Mixing up the order

I’ve found that students tend to muddle Cause & Effect transition signals (because, since, thus, due to, etc.), which state that one thing is the result of, or logically leads to, another thing. Perhaps this is because some Cause & Effect sentences can read a bit like the brainteaser: “Which came first? The chicken or the egg?” Most often though, the cause and the effect become clear if you read the sentence carefully. Take a look at this example…

The word “result” seems to resonate more with my students than “effect”, so if it helps to rather call them Cause & Result transition signals, go for it.

Follow these tips to avoid muddling the order when using transition signals:

• Read the sentences carefully to establish the correct order. Ask yourself: which action/decision/belief came first?
• Pay particular attention to transition signals where the two clauses/sentences are closely intertwined (a bit like Laurel and Hardy, or Antony and Cleopatra), including Cause & Effect and Comparison & Contrast transition signals (however, nonetheless, although, whereas, etc.).
• Be careful with transition signal phrases that sound the same but can’t be used in the same way. For instance:

Incorrect: Overeating is a result of obesity. Correct: Obesity is a result of overeating. / Overeating results in obesity.

Incorrect: Respiratory problems can cause air pollution. Correct: Respiratory problems can be caused by air pollution. / Air pollution can cause respiratory problems.

Error # 3: Using incorrect grammar

No man is an island, and neither is a transition signal. Indeed, the purpose of transition signals is to link pieces of text (the clue is in the name – transition signal). Therefore, it’s important to give as much love to the sentences, clauses, and paragraphs that transition signals connect as the transition signals themselves. As an ESL teacher, I’ve found that students can have difficulty with getting this surrounding grammar right, as the below example shows:

It’s important to remember that different transition signals follow different grammatical rules. For example, transition signals like “although”, “though”, “even though”, and “whereas’” are classified as “subordinating conjunctions.” This is a fancy way of describing a word or phrase that adds more information about the big guy (or main clause).

It’s helpful to remember that because a subordinating conjunction’s job is to add information to the main clause, it means that these transition signals can never, ever, ever (just one more “ever” for good measure) stand alone. If they do, we have a grammatically dire situation called a “sentence fragment” (and all the king’s linguists raced frantically to put the broken words back together again).

A main clause can be distinguished from a dependent clause because it can stand independently. Study this example, which shows how our very helpful, neighbourly subordinating conjunction transition signals link main/independent and dependent clauses:

“Okay teacher,” I hear you thinking. “That’s easy because all the transition signals in the same category (Cause & Effect, Emphasis, Addition, etc.) must follow the same grammar, right?” Alas, no. It is better to learn the grammar for transition signals individually, rather than per category, since the category of the transition signal does not always determine its grammar .

Hence, we have Comparison & Contrast transition signals such as “in contrast” starting a new sentence, while others such as “however” that can act as subordinating clauses or start a new sentence. Other transition signal categories are similarly hodgepodge when it comes to grammatical rules. Not confusing at all!

To make things easier for yourself, memorise the two broad grammatical structures that transition signals fall under, namely: clause connectors (which include the subordinating conjunctions just mentioned), and sentence connectors.

As we have seen, clause connectors are used to connect two clauses to make one sentence – these connectors use a comma. Sentence connectors, on the other hand, connect two feistily independent, complete sentences using either a full stop or semi-colon, and are followed by a comma. Here are examples with transition signals that function as sentence connectors:

It is commonly accepted that children acquire languages with more ease than adults. Similarly, studies show that children have more musical talent than adults.

It is commonly accepted that children acquire languages with more ease than adults; nevertheless, adults should not be discouraged and instead embrace learning a new language. (“Nevertheless” can also connect two sentences with a full stop). It is commonly accepted that children acquire languages. Despite this, not all children are given the opportunity to realise their linguistic potential.

Error #5: Using variations of transition signals incorrectly

Some transition signals can change form, which can puzzle students. For example, “in spite of” can be used on its own, or with “whether”. On the other hand, “despite” can be used with “this”, “the fact that”, or with a gerund.

Whichever transition signal variation you choose, be aware that the surrounding grammar must change too, as can be seen here:

In conclusion, it is possible to avoid falling into transition signal manholes if you tread carefully and follow our expert tips.

By Leigh-Anne Hunter

For more ideas, and real life examples, see Master Transition Signals .

• English at Work
• Improve your Speaking
• Improve your Writing
• Learn Grammar
• Learn Vocabulary
• Learning Tips and Tricks
• Life in Cape Town
• Student Stories
• Teacher Stories
• Teaching English
• University Life

Live Learn & Play

Live learn & play.

• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• Student Change Request

Privacy Overview

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Writing Transitions

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

A discussion of transition strategies and specific transitional devices.

Good transitions can connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole. Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help readers understand how paragraphs work together, reference one another, and build to a larger point. The key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs. By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from previous paragraphs, writers can develop important points for their readers.

It is a good idea to continue one paragraph where another leaves off. (Instances where this is especially challenging may suggest that the paragraphs don't belong together at all.) 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.

Unit 8: Academic Writing Resources

51 Transition Words for Cohesion and Coherence

Transition words and phrases.

Transition words and phrases are used to connect ideas together. They are used within paragraphs and between paragraphs to enhance the flow of ideas.

Below are some common expressions. Some are useful for connecting paragraphs while others are more appropriate for joining ideas within a sentence. The best way to learn which transition words can be used for which purposes is to pay attention to the way they are used in the texts you read.

Transition words in any given category are NOT synonyms, and often require different grammatical structures. Choose exactly the best word for your purposes (don’t just substitute). Use the Skell Corpus to check how these expressions are used in example sentences.

Additive Transitions

Function: to connect two ideas together by adding additional information

furthermore, moreover, in addition, also

admittedly, certainly, typically

in fact, indeed

first, second, third

Order of Importance Transitions

Function: to signal the importance of events

above all, first and foremost, more/most

importantly, significantly, primarily

a more important, the most important, the primary / main, the second most significant

Contrastive Transitions

Function: to signal a contradiction or difference

however, nevertheless, in contrast, on the other hand

although, even though, whereas, while

despite, in spite of, compared to/with

Comparative Transitions

Function: to emphasize similarity

likewise, similarly, at the same time

by comparison, in much the same way, once again

Cause and Effect Transitions

Function: to signal that one event happens as a result of another

as a result / consequence, consequently, therefore / thus, for this reason

because, since

due to, be the result of, given that

Giving Examples

Function: to introduce an illustration or example

for example, for instance, to illustrate

specifically, in particular, that is

such as, an example of

Conclusion Transitions

Function: to signal a final summary of ideas

to summarize, in summary, in short, in sum

in conclusion, to conclude

accordingly, ultimately

Watch this video

from the Learning Portal

Academic Writing I Copyright © by UW-Madison ESL Program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Signal Phrases

A signal phrase, also known as an attributive tag, is a device used to smoothly integrate quotations and paraphrases into your essay. It is important to use signal phrases to clearly attribute supporting evidence to its author or authors and to avoid interrupting the flow of an essay. Signal phrases can also be used as meaningful transitions, moving your readers between your ideas and those of your sources.

A signal phrase consists of an author’s name and an active verb indicating how the author is presenting the material. A signal phrase may also include information explaining an author’s credentials and/or affiliations as well as the title and/or publisher of the source text.

Referring to the Author within a Signal Phrase

In many instances, signal phrases will contain only the last name of the author of the source text (as opposed to the author’s first  and last name). For instance, APA style guidelines require no reference to the author’s first name at any point in an essay.  But in MLA papers, if you are referring to an author for the first time in your essay, you should include that author’s first name as well as the author’s relevant credentials or affiliations in your signal phrase (you might also want to include the title of the source text). Once you have supplied an author’s first name and credentials, any subsequent signal phrase referencing that same author should contain the author’s last name only. For example:

• Michael Pollan, Professor of Science and Environmental Journalism at the University of California Berkeley, observes that “Americans today are having a national conversation about food and agriculture that would have been impossible to imagine even a few short years ago” (29).
• Pollan continues, “But the national conversation unfolding around the subject of food and farming began in the 1970s” (29).

Notice how each signal phrase verb is followed by the word “that” or a comma, which is then followed by one space before the opening quotation mark.

In essays written according to MLA and APA guidelines, it is acceptable to refer to an author as “the author” as long as it is clear to whom you are referring. In APA, it is common to see references to “the researchers.”

Signal Phrase Verb Tense

In the examples above, notice how the signal phrase verbs are written in the present tense. When you are asked to write a paper that follows MLA guidelines, signal phrases should always be written in present (not past) tense. When writing a paper using APA style, signal phrase verbs should be written in past tense. For example:

• Pollan (2009) observed that “Americans today are having a national conversation about food and agriculture that would have been impossible to imagine even a few short years ago” (p. 29).

Notice how APA in-text citations also differ from MLA style in that APA citations include the year of publication and the page number is preceded by a “p.”

Varying Your Verbs

You should also vary your signal phrase verbs (rather than simply using “states” throughout your entire essay) to maintain your readers’ interest and to indicate the author’s intended use of the excerpted material. See below for examples of strong signal phrase verbs.

Types of Signal Phrases

In most instances, the first time the author is mentioned in an MLA-style essay, as well as including the author’s first and  last name in a signal phrase, it is also a good idea to include the author’s credentials and the title of the source.

While providing the author’s credentials and the title of the source are the most common types of signal phrases, there are others we should be aware of. In the examples below, the information relevant to the type of signal phrase is underlined.

Type:   Author’s credentials are indicated.

Example:  Grace Chapmen, Curator of Human Health & Evolutionary Medicine at the Springfield Natural History Museum, explains…

Purpose:  Presenting an author’s credentials should help build credibility for the passage you are about to present. Including the author’s credentials gives your readers a reason to consider your sources.

Type:   Author’s  lack of  credentials is indicated.

Example:  Matthew Spencer, whose background is in marriage counseling, not foreign policy, claims…

Purpose:  Identifying an author’s lack of credentials in a given area can help illustrate a lack of authority on the subject matter and persuade the audience not to adopt the author’s ideas. Pointing to an author’s lack of credentials can be beneficial when developing your response to counter-arguments.

Type:   Author’s social or political stance, if necessary to the content, is explained.

Example:  Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Roland Hayes, a prominent civil rights activist, preaches…

Ralph Spencer, who has ties to the White Nationalist movement, denies…

Purpose:  Explaining the author’s social or political stance can help a reader to understand why that author expresses a particular view. This understanding can positively or negatively influence an audience. Be careful to avoid engaging in logical fallacies such as loaded language.

Type:   Publisher of the source is identified.

Example:  According to a recent  CNN  poll…

Purpose:  Identifying the publisher of the passage can help reinforce the credibility of the information presented and you can capitalize on the reputation/ credibility of the publisher of the source material.

Type:   Title of the Source is included.

Example : In “Understanding Human Behavior,” Riley argues …

Purpose: Inform the reader where the cited passage is being pulled from.

Type:   Information that establishes context is presented.

Example:  In a speech presented during a Free Speech rally, Elaine Wallace encourages …

Purpose: Presenting the context in which the original information was presented can help the audience understand the author’s purpose more clearly.

 MLA Signal Phrase Verbs

 apa signal phrase verbs.

Attributions

A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing  by Melanie Gagich & Emilie Zickel is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Signal Phrases Copyright © by James Charles Devlin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

A List of Transition Words to Use for Argumentative Essays

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Writing an argumentative essay requires a lot of effort aside from research. Besides grammar and structure, you definitely need to make sure your essay is coherent by using transitions.

Argumentative essay transition words allow you to wrap up a piece of evidence to support your main point and then move on to another. Keep reading for tips and an exhaustive list of transition words I put together for your argumentative essays.

What Is a Transition Word?

A transition word is critical to producing quality content. Also known as linking words, transition words make basic connections between sentences and paragraphs to show a relationship between ideas.

A strong transition is crucial when writing an essay. It’s not enough that you provide complete information about your main points and supporting details. You also have to make your argument attractive and logical by using transitions in your academic essay.

The absence of transition words will make your paper less readable and understandable. But too many transitions can also ruin your piece. Use them in moderation to avoid confusion about your document.

Function and Importance of Transitions

The goal of transition words is to convey ideas clearly and concisely to your readers. If you’re writing an argumentative paper, you want to make logical connections in your document to prove your central point.

Transitional phrases and words help you produce a logical flow from one sentence or paragraph to another. In other words, they introduce what the following information will be. Some transitions come in single words, while others come in complete phrases and sentences.

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

There are many categories of transitions, including those that present counterarguments and others that build on your arguments. Be careful about using the wrong transition. Otherwise, you won’t achieve your goal of clarity and conciseness. Consider these examples.

• “ For instance , an anonymous TikTok user reports having a shorter attention span because of its over-swiping feature.” (In this sentence, for instance is used to provide an example).
• “ Here’s an exception to my previous point. ” (This entire sentence is a transition, showing a logical connection between the previous and following sentences).

Transition can also be a sentence to a paragraph long. I’ll show you an example.

Paragraph A: A point that supports co-sleeping as a parenting method.

Transition: Despite this, there are many reasons that prove co-sleeping leads to sleep-related accidents.

Paragraph B: Points that oppose co-sleeping.

Types of Transition Words

There are several types of transitions you can use for making high-quality essays.

Transition Between Paragraphs

A type of transition required for a well-written essay is one you can find between paragraphs. Once you’ve arranged each paragraph according to your outline, it’s important to start each with an effective transition. This word or phrase is usually present in the topic sentence of the body.

Some examples include however, similarly, and for example. But these transition expressions cannot be a single sentence long. The initial sentence of every paragraph should be clear and substantial instead of simply connecting ideas.

Transition Within Paragraphs

Creating a powerful transition within every paragraph of your academic papers avoids choppy sentences. It provides a sense of connection between complex ideas to help readers anticipate what is coming.

These are usually single words or short phrases like in addition, since, and if.

Transition Between Sections

The last type of transition phrases and sentences are those between sections. You’ll find them all over the entire paper to summarize the information. They can be restatements of arguments or a short closing sentence to ensure the flow of ideas.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

It’s a type of essay that requires you to research a subject matter and establish a position for or against it.

Aside from researching and evaluating evidence, showing a relationship between sentences and sections is essential when writing a paper. This will allow you to wrap up an idea and then start another. You must cite different sources to support your point of view, then show counterarguments.

The entire essay should include an introduction, a conclusion, and at least three body paragraphs.

How Do You Start an Argumentative Essay?

Every type of paper starts with an introduction, which usually includes a hook, background, and thesis statement.

The common essay introduction piques the reader’s interest through a surprising statistic or an interesting question. Provide readers with a background of your entire content piece, then state your main argument in a clear sentence.

Transition expressions are not yet essential in this stage of essay writing. Focus on setting up your point and discussing how you will argue it throughout the paper.

Common Transitions for Argumentative Essay Writing

Take a look at this list of transitional words and phrases commonly used to make strong arguments.

• Additionally
• In addition
• Not only… but also
• In the same way
• Comparatively
• Furthermore
• Equally important

Counterargument Transition Words

Here’s a transition word list for essays showing different sides of an argument.

• While it is true that
• Nevertheless
• Despite this
• On the other hand
• Be that as it may
• Even though
• Although this may be true

Transition Words and Phrases for Comparing and Contrasting

Here’s a breakdown of transition words and phrases you can use when comparing and contrasting.

• In spite of
• On the contrary
• Different from
• In contrast

Transition Words to Include in Your College Essay

Here are some examples of transition words you can use when applying for college admission or scholarship.

• To put it in another way
• To demonstrate
• As an illustration
• By all means
• In other words

Transition Words for Cause and Effect

Consider this transition word list when showing cause and effect.

• As a result
• For this reason
• Consequently
• Accordingly
• Under those circumstances
• Because the

Transition Words for Essay Paragraphs

• At the present time
• In due time
• To begin with
• All of a sudden
• Immediately
• In a moment

Transitions to Emphasize a Point

• Most of all
• The main problem/issue is
• Without question
• More importantly
• Most important of all

Transition Words for Additional Support or Evidence

Transition words for sequence or order, transition words for space or place.

• In the middle of
• In the distance
• In the background
• Here and there
• On the side

To Cite a Source or Paraphrase

• According to
• This means that
• Put it more simply

Transition Words to Begin a Body Paragraph

• What is more
• Beyond that

Transition Words to Introduce Details

• For example
• As an example
• For instance
• A case in point
• Specifically
• In particular
• More specifically

Transition Words for Conclusion

• As can be seen
• By and large
• On the whole
• To summarize
• In the final analysis
• Generally speaking

More Transition Words

• With this intention
• In order to
• In the hope that
• With this in mind
• For the purpose of
• Provided that

Tips for Using Argumentative Essay Transitions

Follow these tips to improve your use of transitions in your essay.

Know What the Transitions Mean

Non-native speakers may need help knowing the meaning of every transition expression, so research every term before using it.

There are also many categories of transition words. You can use them to summarize points, show contradictions, express sequence, or begin a paragraph.

Start Your Essay with an Outline

Writing an outline will make it easier to map your ideas and move them around. This strategy will help you transition between paragraphs.

Don’t Overuse Transitions

The last mistake you shouldn’t make is overuse. Instead of making connections between sentences, you’ll make your paper more difficult to read. It creates more incoherence and distraction in your writing, contradicting its intended purpose in your paper.

Use Transition Words Properly

Now you know how to use transition words and phrases for your argumentative essay through this guide and list. These expressions will help you produce a coherent relationship between every idea.

Mastering transitions for your essay may not be a piece of cake, but practice makes perfect. Don’t forget to revise and proofread your argumentative before submitting it to your professor.

Mother of the Groom Speech – Best Tips & Examples

How to Write the Best Commencement Speech – Tips & Examples

Leave a Comment

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

© 2024 My Speech Class

Transition Signals Definition and Examples

Transition Signals Examples – When you write an essay, you need to use several transition signals to make your writing even more interesting and reliable. These transition signals examples can be supporting sentences for the statements you write in your essay.

Table of Contents

Transition Signals Examples

There are 3 types of signal transitions you can use to give examples to support your statement:

• for example
• for instances

Now you know some transition signals examples, but how do you use them in your essay/writing?

How to Use Transition Signals

Use the words “ for example ” and “ for instance ” when the example you are about to write is a complete sentence. Both of these transition signals have the same meaning. They can be placed at the beginning of the sentence and followed by a comma (,).

For example, visitors can watch sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand in Tortuguero National Park. For instance , people who are in poorer health in the first place may spend more time sitting down than walking around.

Use the words “ such as “, “ for example “, and “ for instance ” in the middle of a sentence when the example you are about to write is a noun or a list of nouns that are at the end of the sentence.

Things to note about pattern 2:

a. Give a comma (,) before the word “ such as “

In Costa Rica, visitors can see some rare birds , such as  quetzals and toucans.

b. Give a comma (,) before and after the word “ for example ” and “ for instance “

In Puerto Rico, visitors can see some rare birds , for example, quetzals and toucans. In Puerto Rico, visitors can see some rare birds , for instance, quetzals and toucans.

Be careful when you use the words “ for example ” and “ for instance ” in a sentence. Make sure the sentence you will write is in accordance with the Pattern 1 or Pattern 2 that we told you before.

Transition Signals Worksheet

Add commas to the following sentences!

• Denmark has many attractions for children such as Tivoli Gardens and Legoland.
• Dubai is famous for its new beautiful gardens. For example the Magical Garden is known all over the world.
• There is a mix of architecture in Sao Paulo. Traditional architecture can be found in some buildings for example the Martinelli Building and Banco do Estado de Sao Paulo.
• In Sao Paulo, there are also many modern buildings for instance Conjunto Nacional and the Banco Sumitomo are very modern in design.
• Bolivia offers tourists many interesting places to visit for instance the capital city of La Paz and the islands in Lake Titicaca.
• Denmark has many attractions for children ,  such as Tivoli Gardens and Legoland.
• Dubai is famous for its new beautiful gardens. For example ,  the Magical Garden is known all over the world.
• There is a mix of architecture in Sao Paulo. Traditional architecture can be found in some buildings ,  for example ,  the Martinelli Building and Banco do Estado de Sao Paulo.
• In Sao paulo, there are also many modern buildings, for instance ,  Conjunto Nacional and the Banco Sumitomo are very modern in design.
• Bolivia offers tourists many interesting places to visit ,  for instance ,  the capital city of La Paz and the islands in Lake Titicaca.

Okay, that was the complete explanation of transition signals definition, examples, and worksheet with answers. We hope this helps you in order to learn more about transition signals examples. Thanks.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

The Use of Transitional Signals in Essay Writing by EFL Students

2019, International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies

Transitional signals are very important in writing essays. Therefore, this research aimed to find out the types of transitional signals and their accuracy in sentences. The research used a descriptive quantitative method. There were 68 students taken randomly from the population. The instrument used to collect data was a writing test. The transitional signals analyzed were transitional signals for adding ideas and emphasizing, showing contrast and comparison, showing cause and effect, providing examples, introducing sequence, and summarizing. The findings of this research showed that the total of transitional signals used by the students were 203 transitional signals. More detailed for each type from the first until the sixth type were 35, 32, 17, 5, 95, and 19. Moreover, the percentage of the accuracy was 83%. The orders from the first until the sixth types of transitional signals were 86% adding ideas, 78% emphasizing, 94% showing contrast and comparison, 80% showing cause and effect, 84% providing examples, and 69% introducing time order or sequence, and summarizing. In other words, the most widely used transitional signal was transitional signals for introducing time order and sequence while the highest percentage of accuracy was transitional signals for providing examples.

Related Papers

Ratnapuspita Undiksha , Wahyu Mahendra

For foreign language learners, especially in university, academic writing is essential. Students are required to analyse, compare, and inform through academic writing. Moreover, when they reach the end of their study, they should write a thesis as part of a requirement to graduate. Thus, thesis writing is a major challenge for students. Halliday and Hassan as cited in Hinkel (2001) emphasise that academic writing should achieve cohesiveness to make it well-constructed and understandable. Transition signal is one of prominent cohesive devices that should be taken into account in academic writing. This study aims to identify students' problems and tendency in using transition signals in academic writing. The data are gained from university students' academic writing product which is built in a form of corpus. The data are then analysed by using corpus software (ant conc.3.2.4). Its implication on English Language Teaching (ELT) concerning the teaching of transition signals will also be addressed.

Journal of English Language Teaching

fani miftah yolanda

Happy Djahimo

This research is aimed to identify the types of transition signals used in discussion texts written by the sixth semester students of the English Study Program of UNDANA in academic year 2016/2017, to classify the types of transition signals which are mostly used by students and to analyze the appropriateness of the use of those transition signals in students' discussion texts. The researcher used descriptive qualitative method in conducting this research and the instrument used in collecting the data was the writing discussion text test. The subjects are forty eight students of the sixth semester of English Study Program of UNDANA in academic year 2016/2017. The result of the data analysis revealed that first, students are used all types of transition signals proposed by Oshima and Hogue. From all of the types, addition is the type of transition signals mostly used by students. Generally, students have good competence in using transition signal appropriate with its function and grammar, however, some transition signals are still used incorrectly.

Xavier Thayalan

Journal of Education Research and Evaluation

Syayid Sandi Sukandi

This research investigates Indonesian EFL students writing four types of English sentences in their paragraph writing assignments that were posted online in Writing 1 course of English Education at STKIP PGRI Sumatera Barat. The analysed types of sentences are Simple Sentence (code: S.S.), Compound Sentence (code: C.S.1), Complex Sentence (code: C.S.2), and Compound-Complex Sentence (code: C.C.S). The percentage of each type of sentences that appears in the students’ writings within each five genres represents the students’ syntactical composition. Moreover, this research focuses on quantitatively analysing the above five types of sentences that appeared in students’ assignments in each type of following genres: argumentative, descriptive, process, cause-effect, and comparison-contrast. Data are taken from 10% samples of all population. The finding shows that writing Simple Sentence in paragraphs is a common type of sentence that is used by the students. It indicates that the guidin...

Research Article

Baraat I . FaqeAbdulla

Transitional words make any piece of writing flow logically. If properly applied, they give writing cohesion and coherence. The use of proper transitions may be difficult for non-native speakers, particularly for second and foreign language learners. This study examines how frequently students use transitional phrases in their paragraphs. Thirty-six paragraphs written by students of the

Didi Sudrajat

This study was intended to see what types of discourse markers found in essay writing made by of the fifth semester students of English Department of Kutai Kartanegara University in academic years 2013/2014. The subject of the study was 52 students of the fifth semester students of English Department. This study used an essay test to identify the types of discourse markers used in essay writing. A model of analysis consisting of three concurrent flows of activities: data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing/verification was used to analyze the data. The analysis of the data discovered that the types of discourse markers found in essay writing of the fifth semester students of English Education Department University of Kutai Kartanegara in academic years 2013/2014 were: discourse marker of connectives i.e. and and but, discourse marker of cause and result, namely: because and so, and discourse marker of temporal, i.e. then.

ASIAN TEFL , Qonitatun Qonitatun

There is an assumption that the writing ability of the forth semester students have been improved because the students have learned about how to develop paragraph in writing I, writing II, and writing III subject, so they are expected able to develop an essay. The purposes of the study are to describe the organization of the essay developed by the students of Widyagama University and to know the grammar problems found in the sentences of the essay developed by the students of Widyagama University. Based on finding and discussion of the research, the researcher concludes that the organization of the essays that developed by the research subjects is poor. Only one essay has a complete organization. The developing paragraph of each essay is also poor. Most of the paragraphs don't have concluding sentence. Generally, the essays had covered four types of the sentences; simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence, and compound-complex sentence. However, the essays are dominated by only one type of sentences, simple sentence. The grammar problems that found are fragment sentence, the errors of subject-verb agreement, and the errors in using coordinating conjunction.

RELATED PAPERS

Ridho Fadhil

Current Biology

Phaothep Cherdsukjai

Feti Marida

Boletim Goiano de Geografia

Valter Casseti

Constantino Cronemberger Mendes

Journal of Education

Refah Aldawsari

farahnaz zare

Christian Lameira

Sherida Neves

SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2016

Joao Batista teixeira boechat

Ana Lucia Petty

Journal of Molecular Structure

TÔ LÊ MINH THI

kommunikation@gesellschaft

Wolfgang Suetzl

Mario Valerga

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Bangun Cipta, Rasa, &amp; Karsa

Pain Practice

Beatrice Van der Heijden

George Pappas

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics

Gian Tiboni

Journal of Physics: Conference Series

Seiji Sugita

Patricia Chang

Southern African Journal of Hiv Medicine

Sivasuriya Sivaganesh

Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal

Fazidah Hanim Husain

Revista Educação e Políticas em Debate

Dalila Oliveira

See More Documents Like This

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

33 Transition Words and Phrases

Transitional terms give writers the opportunity to prepare readers for a new idea, connecting the previous sentence to the next one.

Many transitional words are nearly synonymous: words that broadly indicate that “this follows logically from the preceding” include accordingly, therefore, and consequently . Words that mean “in addition to” include moreover, besides, and further . Words that mean “contrary to what was just stated” include however, nevertheless , and nonetheless .

as a result : THEREFORE : CONSEQUENTLY

The executive’s flight was delayed and they accordingly arrived late.

in or by way of addition : FURTHERMORE

The mountain has many marked hiking trails; additionally, there are several unmarked trails that lead to the summit.

at a later or succeeding time : SUBSEQUENTLY, THEREAFTER

Afterward, she got a promotion.

even though : ALTHOUGH

She appeared as a guest star on the show, albeit briefly.

in spite of the fact that : even though —used when making a statement that differs from or contrasts with a statement you have just made

They are good friends, although they don't see each other very often.

in addition to what has been said : MOREOVER, FURTHERMORE

I can't go, and besides, I wouldn't go if I could.

as a result : in view of the foregoing : ACCORDINGLY

The words are often confused and are consequently misused.

in a contrasting or opposite way —used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous statement or presents a differing interpretation or possibility

Large objects appear to be closer. Conversely, small objects seem farther away.

used to introduce a statement that is somehow different from what has just been said

These problems are not as bad as they were. Even so, there is much more work to be done.

used as a stronger way to say "though" or "although"

I'm planning to go even though it may rain.

in addition : MOREOVER

I had some money to invest, and, further, I realized that the risk was small.

in addition to what precedes : BESIDES —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement

These findings seem plausible. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed them.

because of a preceding fact or premise : for this reason : THEREFORE

He was a newcomer and hence had no close friends here.

from this point on : starting now

She announced that henceforth she would be running the company.

in spite of that : on the other hand —used when you are saying something that is different from or contrasts with a previous statement

I'd like to go; however, I'd better not.

as something more : BESIDES —used for adding information to a statement

The city has the largest population in the country and in addition is a major shipping port.

all things considered : as a matter of fact —used when making a statement that adds to or strengthens a previous statement

He likes to have things his own way; indeed, he can be very stubborn.

for fear that —often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension

He was concerned lest anyone think that he was guilty.

in addition : ALSO —often used to introduce a statement that adds to and is related to a previous statement

She is an acclaimed painter who is likewise a sculptor.

at or during the same time : in the meantime

You can set the table. Meanwhile, I'll start making dinner.

BESIDES, FURTHER : in addition to what has been said —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement

It probably wouldn't work. Moreover, it would be very expensive to try it.

in spite of that : HOWEVER

It was a predictable, but nevertheless funny, story.

in spite of what has just been said : NEVERTHELESS

The hike was difficult, but fun nonetheless.

without being prevented by (something) : despite—used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

Notwithstanding their youth and inexperience, the team won the championship.

if not : or else

Finish your dinner. Otherwise, you won't get any dessert.

more correctly speaking —used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said

We can take the car, or rather, the van.

in spite of that —used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

I tried again and still I failed.

by that : by that means

He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.

for that reason : because of that

This tablet is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.

immediately after that

The committee reviewed the documents and thereupon decided to accept the proposal.

because of this or that : HENCE, CONSEQUENTLY

This detergent is highly concentrated and thus you will need to dilute it.

while on the contrary —used to make a statement that describes how two people, groups, etc., are different

Some of these species have flourished, whereas others have struggled.

NEVERTHELESS, HOWEVER —used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way

It was pouring rain out, yet his clothes didn’t seem very wet.

Word of the Day

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Games & Quizzes

Usage Notes

Prepositions, ending a sentence with, hypercorrections: are you making these 6 common mistakes, a comprehensive guide to forming compounds, can ‘criteria’ ever be singular, singular nonbinary ‘they’: is it ‘they are’ or ‘they is’, grammar & usage, 7 pairs of commonly confused words, did we change the definition of 'literally', more commonly mispronounced words, the tangled history of 'it's' and 'its', more commonly misspelled words, 10 bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), eavesdrop, fiasco, and 8 more words with surprising origins, 'when pigs fly' and other barnyard idioms, the words of the week - mar. 29, 9 superb owl words.