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TRANSITIONS:

THE GEAR SHIFT OF WRITING

Imagine that sitting down to write a paper is like getting into a car. You are embarking on a journey from your introduction to your conclusion. In order to smoothly navigate through the various twists and turns of ideas and information in the paper, you will need to shift gears smoothly from one idea to another. Transition words and phrases allow you to shift from thought to thought in your writing without grinding gears or giving the reader whiplash. When different ideas are presented in a paper without any connecting transitions, the writing becomes choppy and does not flow.

In addition to connecting ideas smoothly, transitions also help to order ideas and information in a specific order, just as the numbers on your gears set a pattern for your acceleration or deceleration on the road. Transitions provide readers with directions for how to follow your ideas in a logical manner.

The chart below lists words and phrases that can serve as transitions.

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sequence/order

first of all
in the first place
meanwhile
again
then

also
afterward
formerly
next
second, third, etc. 		in addition
furthermore
eventually
finally
at the same time
example
 for example
specifically 		to illustrate
namely 		for instance
in particular
emphasis
 indeed, after all
 in fact, certainly

of course, truly

contrast/change
of direction

otherwise
however
despite
yet 		even though
regardless
on the contrary
on the other hand 		nevertheless
nonetheless
in contrast
instead
unlike
cause/effect
 therefore
consequently
thus 		hence
for this purpose
as a result 		for this reason
otherwise
as a consequence
time
 after, during
as soon as, in the
past, meanwhile,
shortly, subsequently 		afterward, before, earlier, later, now, simultaneously, then at last, currently, immediately, lately, presently, recently
similarity
 similarly, likewise just as, also in comparison
in the same way
conclusion/summary
 finally, in brief, as a result, to conclude in short, in conclusion, in summary thus, in other words, therefore

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Punctuation note:

It is important to remember that when you use transition words and phrases in your writing, that they generally need to be followed by a comma.

Example 1:

Instead of running for cover, Harry and Marla continued their picnic lunch in the passing rain shower.

Example 2:

Harry's sandwich was soggy; therefore, he only ate the salami but not the bread.

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The Importance of Organization

The clarity and effectiveness of your transitions will depend greatly upon how well you have organized your paper. You may want to evaluate the overall organization of your ideas before you begin to work on transitions.

Strong organization of a paper includes two elements:

  • a logical, sequential presentation of ideas or points in your discussion or argument, and
  • logical relationships created between the parts of your paper.

Transitions cannot substitute for good, overall organization; however, they can make this organization clearer and easier to follow.

The Writing Center
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
© 2006

 

  

 

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