How to Use Paragraph Transitions

Transitional words and phrases
connect sentences and paragraphs to each other.

Paragraph transitions suggest a particular relationship between one idea and the next.

Within a paragraph, transitions provide coherence: a sense that the paragraph contains one main argument or idea.

Between paragraphs, paragraph transitions help with the flow of writing from beginning to end, as well as the sense of the coherence of the whole essay.

Transitional words and phrases often occur at the beginning of a sentence and, for more formal writing, transitional expressions are set off with a comma.

Some transition words (for example, "too" or "as well") more often occur at the end or even in the middle of a sentence, however.




To help you practice transitional words, here is a transition word list that shows the relationship the transitional words or phrases indicate.

As a transition word exercise, revise a paragraph adding the appropriate transition word or phrase

: Adding information


also, and, as well, besides, equally important, finally, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then, too
Comparing ideas:

in like manner, in the same way, likewise, similarly

Conceding a point

agreed, certainly, granted, obviously, of course, to be sure

Contrasting ideas

at the same time, but, conversely, even so, even though, however, in contrast, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the one hand, on the other hand, still, yet

Providing an example

as an illustration, as can be seen by, for example, for instance, in other words, specifically, to illustrate

Relating time and order of ideas

afterward, before, currently, eventually, finally, first, (second, third, fourth, fifth?), immediately, in the future, in the past, later, less important, meanwhile, most important, next, often, sometimes, soon, subsequently, then, today, when

Resulting from the previous idea

accordingly, as a result, consequently, so, thereby, therefore, thus

adjacent, at the side, between, here, in the back, in the background, in the distance, in the foreground, in the front, nearby, there, to the side

Summarizing ideas

finally, hence, in brief, in conclusion, in short, in summary, that is, that is to say, to sum up
in summary, use a variety of good transition words within your paragraphs to create coherent paragraphs.

Use good paragraph transition words in essays to help your

ideas flow throughout the essay, as well.

In these ways, transition words serve as a sort of writing glue.

Yet, don't use the same transition repeatedly, unless you are doing so for a specific effect