Using Transitions -Creating Coherence
Without effective transitions, your paragraphs will come across as disconnected, as a
series of facts without any relationship. Transitions link ideas so that they relate to one another;
they provide comparison and contrast, and they strengthen the expression of ideas.
In some cases, transitions are single words. Other times they consist of more than one
word, in which case they are called transitional phrases.
As you can see, transitions serve all sorts of purposes. Once you get accustomed to using
them, they will become second nature, and you will achieve a more fluid writing style.
Note: When transitions begin a sentence, they often require the use of a comma.
i.e
There is a lot left to be done. For example, we have clean the house.
Note: Transitions and transitional phrases don’t always have to appear at the beginning of a
sentence.
i.e.
It is, however, important to vote when you turn eighteen.
Ex. It was raining outside. Therefore, I did not take my dog for a walk.
Ex. Last night it snowed over 10 cm. In addition, the wind blew and as a result, it
made driving very difficult.
Transitions are also used between each paragraph when you are using longer writing formats like
an essay, report or series of paragraphs. Transitions usually come near the beginning of a paragraph.
However, you should use a transition wherever it works best. Moving forward, incorporate transitions
into all writing tasks.
ACTIVITY:
Below is a short paragraph.
Read the passage first, determine the relationship between the sentences, then see if you can select the best
transition from the list provided to link the ideas.
Transitions make writing less choppy, help with the flow of writing, and connect ideas together in a clear and
coherent manner.
Use Your Head
It is extremely important for motorcyclists to wear helmets. _____________ if you crash on your
motorcycle, chances are that a helmet could help save your life, so it makes sense to wear one.
________________ taxpayers often have to help pay the cost of treating riders with serious head injuries,
injuries that could have been avoided with the use of a helmet. ______________ innocent passengers,
oftentimes children, are injured. Wearing a helmet, ________________ , makes absolute sense if you are
riding a motorcycle.
REMEMBER: Only certain or specific transition or linking words can be used between sentences.
The relationship between the sentences or ideas in your writing will help you to determine what
transition word is best to use.
Transitions to Compare
Similarly
Likewise
As a result
Transitions to Add Info
Also
In addition
For example
Transitions to Conclude
In the end
Therefore
Useful Transitions and Linking Expressions
TRANSITIONS TO EMPHASIZE A POINT
again
for this reason
frequently
indeed
in fact
surprisingly
to emphasize to point out
with this in mind
to repeat
truly
amid
beneath
in the center of
in the middle of
under
among
beside
outside
over
TRANSITIONS TO SHOW LOCATION
above
around
between
inside
throughout
across
away from
beyond
into
to the left
against
back of
by
near
to the right
along
alongside
behind
below
down
in front of
on top of
up
TRANSITIONS TO COMPARE TWO THINGS
accordingly
also
comparable to
in the same manner just as
likewise
in the same way
similarly
TRANSITIONS TO CONTRAST (SHOW DIFFERENCES)
although
as opposed to
but
conversely
however
in spite of this
nevertheless on the contrary
otherwise
sometimes
still
yet
TRANSITIONS TO SHOW TIME
about
after
afterward
at the same time
before
during
later
last
meanwhile
next year
prior to
second day
till
today
tomorrow
TRANSITIONS TO CLARIFY
for example
for instance
simply stated
that is
as soon as
finally
next week
soon
until
at
first
next
then
when
in other words
to clarify
TRANSITIONS TO ADD INFORMATION
additionally
again
along with
as well
besides
equally important
for instance
furthermore in addition
also
finally
likewise
TRANSITIONS TO CONCLUDE OR SUMMARIZE
accordingly
all in all
as a result
finally
in closing
in conclusion
in the last analysis
lastly
therefore
consequently
in short
thus
even though
on the other hand
immediately
in the meantime
next time
third
yesterday
put another way
to illustrate the point
and
for example
moreover
TRANSITIONS TO ENUMERATE
first
one important
a significant
first in the beginning
second equally important another significant
next toward the middle
third
most important
of greatest significance last at the end
another
further
next
due to
in summary
to conclude
one
also
in addition
Using Transitions – Add appropriate transitions to the following essay.
Helmets should be used while riding a bicycle. Statistics show, _____________ , that bike
riders are ten times more likely to suffer a serious injury if they don’t wear a helmet.
______________ , helmet laws in our province require that only kids must wear helmets while
riding a bike. This makes no sense. _________________ , adults should model sensible behaviour
and wear helmets too.
___________________ , helmets should be worn by skateboarders. There are three reasons
for this: ____________ , skaters often practice their tricks on the street or in parking lots, where
they can get hit by a car. ______________ , while skaters don’t ride as fast as bikers or motorcycle
riders, they can have pretty bad wipe-outs. Just last week a friend of mine went into the hospital
with a concussion from a skating accident. _________________ , older skaters are role models for
all the ten year-olds out there. My little sister is already trying 360s. Because I wear a helmet, so
does she.
_________________ , helmets make sense. Whether you’re riding the freeway on your
motorcycle, peddling off on your bicycle, or spinning on your skateboard, you should use your head
and wear a helmet!