Transitions
Help to follow the reader’s thought process…
never assume the reader knows why the quote
was added
Agreement and Addition
The
transition words like also, in
addition, and, likewise, add
information, reinforce ideas, and
express agreement with preceding
material.
These Transitions Can Also Be
Used:

not to mention

to say nothing of

equally important

moreover

as well as

together with

comparatively

similarly
Opposition / Limitation /
Contradiction
Transition
phrases like but, rather
and or, express that there is
evidence to the contrary or point
out alternatives, and thus
introduce a change the line of
reasoning (contrast).
Additional Contrasting Transitions:
regardless
 instead
even though
 in contrast

however

on the other hand

despite

on the contrary

conversely

at the same time

Otherwise

in spite of

however

although
Cause / Condition / Purpose
These transitional phrases
present specific conditions or
intentions.
Examples of Transitional Phrases

in the event that

granted (that)

as / so long as

on (the) condition (that)

for the purpose of

with this intention

with this in mind

in the hope that

to the end that

for fear that
Examples / Support / Emphasis

in other words

as an illustration

in this case

for this reason

to put it another way

that is to say

to clarify

to explain
Additional Support Transitional
Phrases

to put it another way

that is to say

with attention to

important to realize

another key point

first thing to remember

most compelling evidence

must be remembered

to point out

with this in mind
Conclusion / Summary / Restatement
These
transition words and phrases
conclude, summarize and / or
restate ideas, or indicate a final
general statement.
Conclusion transition examples

to summarize

altogether

overall

as can be seen

generally speaking

in the final analysis

all things considered

as shown above

given these points

as has been noted

for the most part
Sample literary response
transitioning into quotes:

Chapter 4 in Wiesel’s Night presents an ominous mood.
The reader is experiencing fear first hand. When the
author says, “Hundreds of eyes were watching [the
prisoner’s] every move. Hundreds of men were crawling
with him, scraping their bodies with his on the stone….He
was the one who dared.” (59) This prisoner had dared to
steal an additional ration of soup from the cauldron when
the SS officer left his post. He dared to defy his fear
because he was just that hungry. This scene is ominous
(dark, scary) for the reader because we know that he will
be killed if he is caught.