Transitions,
Topic and
Closing
Sentences
Topic Sentence
 Is
the first sentence of the paragraph
 Should
 Is
grab the reader’s attention
a statement that tells what your
paragraph will be about
A good topic sentence does
two things:
 Helps
you stay focused on the topic of
your paragraph
 Helps
the reader know what your
paragraph will be about
How to write a topic sentence
 Think
 What
about your main idea
is the point of your paragraph?
Closing Sentence
 What
is a closing sentence?
 The
closing sentence is the last sentence in a
paragraph and ends the paragraph smoothly
 What
 It
does the closing sentence do?
restates the main idea of the paragraph
using different words
Signal words for closing
sentences:
When you write your concluding sentence,
you may want to use signal words to show
your reader that you are ending your
paragraph, but you do not have to use
signal words. Your options are below:
 In
conclusion,
 In summary, (for summary)
 In short, (for summary)
 To summarize (for summary)
 In my opinion, (for opinion)
Transition words and phrases

Using transitional words and phrases
helps papers read more smoothly, and at the
same time allows the reader to flow more
smoothly from one point to the next

Transitions can be used to transition from one
paragraph to another

Transitions can be used within a paragraph to
transition from one sentence to another




Addition:
also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with,
furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover,
similarly
Consequence:
accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this
reason, for this purpose,
hence, otherwise, so then, subsequently,
therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore
Contrast and Comparison:
contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead,
likewise,
on one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary,
rather,
similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in
contrast
Direction:
here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite,
under, above,
to the left, to the right, in the distance






Diversion:
by the way, incidentally
Emphasis
above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially,
particularly, singularly
Exception:
aside from, barring, beside, except, excepting,
excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of,
save
Exemplifying:
chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular,
markedly, namely,
particularly, including, specifically, such as
Generalizing:
as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally,
generally speaking, ordinarily, usually
Illustration:
for example, for instance, for one thing, as an
illustration,
illustrated with, as an example, in this case




Similarity:
comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically,
likewise, similar, moreover, together with
Restatement:
in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in
short, in brief, to put it differently
Sequence:
at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the
same time,
for now, for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn,
later on,
meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while,
earlier,
simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind,
Summarizing:
after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by and large,
in any case, in any event,
in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short, in summary, in
the final analysis,
in the long run, on balance, to sum up, to summarize, finally
From: http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm