good transitions from hook to thesis

250 Best Transition Words and Phrases (+Examples)

Transition words are the glue that holds writing together, providing smooth shifts from one idea to the next.

These words and phrases enhance readability, flow, and comprehension. With that said, I’ve put together the largest and best list of transition words and phrases for you below.

Addition Transitions

Table of Contents

Addition transitions help introduce new ideas that build upon what was previously said.

• Furthermore Example: “The project was a success. Furthermore, it opened doors for future collaboration.”
• Moreover Example: “He’s an excellent athlete. Moreover, his academic record is outstanding.”
• In addition Example: “In addition to the rain, the wind was particularly strong today.”
• Also Example: “She enjoys reading. Also, she loves to travel.”
• Additionally Example: “Additionally, the report highlights new market trends.”
• And Example: “We visited the museum, and we took a walk in the park.”
• Plus Example: “She completed the report ahead of time, plus she helped others finish theirs.”
• Along with Example: “Along with learning new languages, he also mastered coding.”
• Not only… but also Example: “Not only did she ace the test, but she also set a new record.”
• Alongside that Example: “She’s working on several projects. Alongside that, she’s taking night classes.”

Contrast Transitions

These transitions show a shift in ideas or highlight a difference between two points.

• However Example: “I wanted to go out. However, the weather was terrible.”
• On the other hand Example: “She’s good at math. On the other hand, her science grades need improvement.”
• Nevertheless Example: “It was difficult. Nevertheless, we succeeded.”
• Yet Example: “He’s very capable, yet he tends to procrastinate.”
• Despite Example: “Despite the challenges, the team persevered.”
• In contrast Example: “In contrast to her outgoing personality, her brother is shy.”
• Still Example: “The work is tiring. Still, I find it fulfilling.”
• Although this may be true Example: “Although this may be true, there are still some risks involved.”
• But Example: “We planned a picnic, but it started raining.”
• Conversely Example: “Conversely, the new policy brought unexpected benefits.”

Cause & Effect Transitions

These transitions indicate a reason or result.

• Therefore Example: “He didn’t study. Therefore, he failed the exam.”
• As a result Example: “The marketing strategy was flawed. As a result, sales dropped.”
• Consequently Example: “The team didn’t prepare. Consequently, they lost the match.”
• Thus Example: “Thus, we decided to change our approach.”
• For this reason Example: “She was unwell. For this reason, she missed the meeting.”
• Hence Example: “The demand increased. Hence, the prices rose.”
• Because Example: “We stayed indoors because it was raining heavily.”
• Due to Example: “Due to the heavy snow, flights were canceled.”
• Since Example: “Since you’re here, we can start the meeting early.”
• As a consequence of Example: “The team did not complete the assignment on time. As a consequence of this, the project was delayed.”

Time Transitions

Time transitions indicate when something happens or the order in which events occur.

• Meanwhile Example: “The bread was baking. Meanwhile, I prepared the salad.”
• Later on Example: “The team worked on the project. Later on, they presented it to the client.”
• Earlier Example: “She arrived earlier than expected.”
• Later Example: “We’ll meet for dinner later.”
• At the same time Example: “She was speaking at the same time as the presentation started.”
• Eventually Example: “Eventually, the project was completed after several delays.”
• And Then Example: “We visited the museum, and then we went for lunch.”
• Before Example: “Before leaving, she checked her emails one last time.”
• Afterward Example: “We finished the meeting and went to dinner afterward.”
• Soon Example: “Soon, the results will be announced.”

Agreement & Emphasis Transitions

These transitions emphasize or strengthen an argument or idea.

• Indeed Example: “She is indeed one of the best in her field.”
• Certainly Example: “This is certainly an opportunity not to be missed.”
• Of course Example: “Of course, hard work plays a crucial role in success.”
• In fact Example: “In fact, this study proves the theory.”
• Truly Example: “He truly understands the essence of leadership.”
• As a matter of fact Example: “As a matter of fact, the data supports this conclusion.”
• To explain further Example: “To explain further, the data suggests that the market will grow.”
• Without a doubt Example: “Without a doubt, she is the most qualified candidate.”
• Undoubtedly Example: “Undoubtedly, this decision will benefit the company.”
• Definitely Example: “This solution will definitely improve our workflow.”

Conclusion Transitions

These transitions signal the end of a discussion or summarize the key points.

• In conclusion Example: “In conclusion, the evidence strongly supports the hypothesis.”
• To sum up Example: “To sum up, we achieved our goals and exceeded expectations.”
• In summary Example: “In summary, the results were better than anticipated.”
• Overall Example: “Overall, it was a successful event.”
• As the last step Example: “As the last step, review the document before submission.”
• To wrap up Example: “To wrap up, let’s review the key points.”
• Ultimately Example: “Ultimately, the decision rests with the board.”
• In brief Example: “In brief, the project was a great success.”
• As a final point Example: “As a final point, we should consider future challenges.”
• In the end Example: “In the end, teamwork led to our success.”

Example Transitions

Example transitions help introduce clarifying examples to support a point.

• For example Example: “She loves outdoor activities. For example, she often goes hiking on weekends.”
• To cite an instance Example: “To cite an instance, we’ve seen this strategy succeed in similar markets.”
• As an example Example: “There are many forms of renewable energy, as an example, solar and wind power.”
• As a demonstration Example: “As a demonstration of the process, the team shared their prototype.”
• Specifically Example: “She was concerned with one specific issue, specifically the lack of resources.”
• Namely Example: “Several factors contributed to the failure, namely poor planning and execution.”
• Such examples are Example: “Several products showed promising results. Such examples are electric vehicles and energy-efficient appliances.”
• Specifically speaking Example: “Specifically speaking, the North American market saw a significant increase.”
• More precisely Example: “The policy needs revision. More precisely, it’s not suitable for the current situation.”
• As an illustration Example: “As an illustration, here’s how the new system works.”

Sequence Transitions

Sequence transitions show the order of steps, instructions, or events.

• First Example: “First, mix all the dry ingredients.”
• Second Example: “Second, add the wet ingredients to the mixture.”
• Next Example: “Next, stir the ingredients together until smooth.”
• Then Example: “Then, pour the mixture into the baking tray.”
• Finally Example: “Finally, bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees.”
• After that Example: “After that, let the cake cool before serving.”
• Initially Example: “Initially, the project faced some challenges.”
• At first Example: “At first, the plan seemed too ambitious, but we succeeded.”
• Subsequently Example: “Subsequently, we saw a significant increase in performance.”
• Lastly Example: “Lastly, ensure all documents are signed before submission.”

Comparison Transitions

Comparison transitions highlight similarities between two or more elements.

• Similarly Example: “Her approach to problem-solving is similarly effective.”
• Likewise Example: “Likewise, his presentation was well-received by the audience.”
• In the same way Example: “In the same way, the new policy aims to increase efficiency.”
• Just as Example: “Just as water is essential for life, education is crucial for success.”
• As well as Example: “He is skilled in design as well as programming.”
• Equally Example: “The students were equally enthusiastic about the project.”
• In a similar manner Example: “In a similar manner, the new system will streamline operations.”
• Correspondingly Example: “The demand for electric cars increased. Correspondingly, the production rate was adjusted.”
• Analogously Example: “Analogously, the marketing strategy needs a similar revamp.”
• In like manner Example: “In like manner, the second phase will follow the same structure.”

Condition Transitions

Condition transitions set up hypothetical or conditional situations.

• If Example: “If you work hard, you’ll achieve your goals.”
• Unless Example: “We can’t proceed unless the documents are signed.”
• Provided that Example: “You can go on the trip, provided that you finish your homework.”
• As long as Example: “You can stay here as long as you behave responsibly.”
• In case Example: “In case of emergency, follow the exit signs.”
• On the condition that Example: “I’ll help you, on the condition that you help me later.”
• Supposing Example: “Supposing it rains tomorrow, we’ll have to cancel the event.”
• Even if Example: “Even if it’s difficult, we must continue trying.”
• Only if Example: “The refund will be issued only if the product is returned within 30 days.”
• Assuming Example: “Assuming we have enough time, we can visit both museums.”

Clarification Transitions

Clarification transitions help explain or clarify a point that was previously made.

• In other words Example: “He’s not interested in the project. In other words, he won’t be joining the team.”
• That is Example: “She’s focused on her career, that is, she’s not considering moving.”
• To clarify Example: “The terms are non-negotiable. To clarify, you’ll need to agree before proceeding.”
• Simply put Example: “Simply put, we need to improve our customer service.”
• To put it another way Example: “We need to cut costs. To put it another way, we’re overspending.”
• In simpler terms Example: “The process is complex. In simpler terms, it involves several stages of approval.”
• Let me explain Example: “We’re facing budget cuts. Let me explain why this is happening.”
• To be more specific Example: “We’re changing the layout. To be more specific, we’re removing redundant elements.”
• To rephrase Example: “The plan failed. To rephrase, we didn’t achieve our target.”
• That is to say Example: “He’s very talented, that is to say, he has a natural aptitude for art.”

Purpose Transitions

These transitions explain the intent or purpose behind an action.

• In order to Example: “We updated the software in order to improve performance.”
• For the purpose of Example: “He studied hard for the purpose of passing the exam.”
• So that Example: “She left early so that she could catch the train.”
• With the intention of Example: “We designed the app with the intention of making it user-friendly.”
• To Example: “They organized the meeting to discuss the project.”
• With this in mind Example: “With this in mind, we adjusted the timeline for delivery.”
• For this reason Example: “For this reason, we decided to postpone the event.”
• To that end Example: “The company hired more staff. To that end, they could meet demand.”
• For the sake of Example: “She made sacrifices for the sake of her children.”
• In an effort to Example: “In an effort to reduce waste, we implemented recycling initiatives.”

Concession Transitions

Concession transitions acknowledge a counter-argument or alternate view.

• Although Example: “Although it was raining, we went for a walk.”
• Even though Example: “Even though the odds were against us, we tried our best.”
• Granted Example: “Granted, this approach takes more time, but it’s more effective.”
• While it is true that Example: “While it is true that the market is competitive, our product stands out.”
• Even with Example: “Even with the challenges, the team completed the project.”
• Admittedly Example: “Admittedly, the project went over budget, but it was a success.”
• Though Example: “Though the task was difficult, we managed to finish it.”
• Recognizing your opinion/feelings/reluctance Example: “Recognizing your opinion on the matter, we need to make a decision.”
• Regardless Example: “Regardless of the weather, we’ll have the event outdoors.”
• Nonetheless Example: “The hike was exhausting. Nonetheless, it was worth it for the view.”

Location Transitions

These transitions help describe where something is located or where an event happens.

• Nearby Example: “There’s a coffee shop nearby where we can meet.”
• Opposite Example: “The library is opposite the park.”
• Adjacent to Example: “The hotel is adjacent to the conference center.”
• Beyond Example: “Beyond the mountains, there’s a small village.”
• Next to Example: “The restaurant is next to the bookstore.”
• In the distance Example: “In the distance, we could see the city skyline.”
• Alongside Example: “The path runs alongside the river.”
• To the left Example: “To the left, you’ll find the entrance to the gallery.”
• Underneath Example: “We stored the supplies underneath the table.”
• In front of Example: “The car is parked in front of the building.”

Similarity Transitions

These transition words emphasize similarity between ideas or topics.

• In the same vein Example: “In the same vein, the second proposal offers cost savings.”
• Just like Example: “Just like her brother, she excels at sports.”
• Comparable to Example: “The new policy is comparable to the one introduced last year.”
• In a similar way Example: “In a similar way, the redesign will improve user experience.”
• Corresponding to Example: “The results are corresponding to our expectations.”
• In much the same way Example: “In much the same way, we plan to tackle the next phase.”
• Equally important Example: “Customer satisfaction is equally important as product quality.”
• Like Example: “Like the first version, this model is user-friendly.”
• Similarly to Example: “The new process works similarly to the old one.”
• Comparable with Example: “The outcomes are comparable with last year’s data.”

Exception Transitions

These transitions indicate something that is outside the norm or an exception.

• Except Example: “Everyone was invited except John.”
• Apart from Example: “Apart from the weather, the trip was perfect.”
• Besides Example: “Besides the main course, we offer several desserts.”
• Aside from Example: “Aside from the noise, the neighborhood is peaceful.”
• Other than Example: “Other than the cost, there are no downsides to the plan.”
• Excluding Example: “Excluding the holidays, I work from home most days.”
• All but Example: “All but Sarah agreed.”
• With the exception of Example: “With the exception of the CEO, all executives were present.”
• Save for Example: “Save for a few glitches, the software runs smoothly.”
• Excepting Example: “Excepting unforeseen delays, the project will be completed on time.”

Illustration Transitions

These transition words help emphasize a point by illustrating it with examples.

• To illustrate Example: “To illustrate, let’s examine this case study.”
• Such as Example: “The report highlighted several concerns, such as lack of funding.”
• By way of illustration Example: “By way of illustration, let’s look at how this principle applies in practice.”
• In particular Example: “In particular, the north wing requires renovation.”
• Especially Example: “The summer months are especially busy for the tourism industry.”
• Including Example: “The library offers several services, including free Wi-Fi.”
• To demonstrate Example: “To demonstrate the issue, here’s a relevant case study.”
• For instance Example: “He is proficient in several languages, for instance, French and Spanish.”
• Particularly Example: “Particularly, the lack of affordable housing is a pressing concern.”
• To give an example Example: “To give an example, this tool can automate daily tasks.”

Summary Transitions

These transition words summarize or bring together the main points.

• In summary Example: “In summary, the experiment confirmed our hypothesis.”
• To sum up Example: “To sum up, we achieved our objectives with minimal setbacks.”
• All in all Example: “All in all, the conference was a great success.”
• In short Example: “In short, the project exceeded our expectations.”
• To conclude Example: “To conclude, the data clearly supports the theory.”
• On the whole Example: “On the whole, the report was well-received by the board.”
• In brief Example: “In brief, the event was a learning experience for everyone.”
• Overall Example: “Overall, the new policy was well implemented.”
• In a nutshell Example: “In a nutshell, the solution worked.”
• In conclusion Example: “In conclusion, we should move forward with the current plan.”

Degree Transitions

Degree transitions show varying degrees or levels of something.

• To some extent Example: “The plan succeeded, to some extent, but there were unexpected challenges.”
• More or less Example: “The project is more or less complete, just a few finishing touches are needed.”
• Almost Example: “The launch was almost flawless, except for one minor glitch.”
• Partially Example: “The system is partially operational.”
• A great deal Example: “This decision will impact the company a great deal.”
• To a certain degree Example: “We were successful to a certain degree, but there’s room for improvement.”
• Entirely Example: “The system is entirely dependent on external factors.”
• Marginally Example: “The results improved marginally after the software update.”
• To a large extent Example: “To a large extent, the changes were well-received by the team.”
• Thoroughly Example: “The product was thoroughly tested before launch.”

Amplification Transitions

Amplify your statements with these transitions. They add emphasis or expand on a previous idea.

• Indeed Example: “The situation is dire. Indeed, we may need to reevaluate our approach.”
• What’s more Example: “The project was a success. What’s more, we finished ahead of schedule.”
• Furthermore Example: “The product is user-friendly. Furthermore, it is highly affordable.”
• Moreover Example: “The company grew its revenue. Moreover, it expanded into new markets.”
• In fact Example: “The results were impressive. In fact, they exceeded our expectations.”
• Not to mention Example: “The new design is sleek, not to mention more efficient.”
• Additionally Example: “We added several features. Additionally, the user interface was improved.”
• Above all Example: “Above all, customer satisfaction remains our priority.”
• To say the least Example: “The results were surprising, to say the least.”
• Beyond that Example: “We completed the task successfully. Beyond that, we discovered new opportunities.”

Reversal Transitions

Show a reversal or opposite direction in ideas with what are called “reversal” transition words and phrases.

• On the contrary Example: “He wasn’t shy at all. On the contrary, he was very outgoing.”
• Conversely Example: “The first method was efficient. Conversely, the second method wasted time.”
• On the flip side Example: “The software is easy to use. On the flip side, it lacks advanced features.”
• In contrast Example: “In contrast to her quiet demeanor, her work speaks volumes.”
• Quite the opposite Example: “He wasn’t upset. Quite the opposite, he was thrilled with the news.”
• On the other hand Example: “The project was completed on time. On the other hand, it went over budget.”
• Instead Example: “Instead of going to the meeting, he decided to work from home.”
• Conversely Example: “Conversely, the product became more popular as the price increased.”
• Rather Example: “He didn’t reject the offer. Rather, he asked for more time to decide.”
• Alternatively Example: “We could hire more staff. Alternatively, we could outsource the work.”

Qualification Transitions

These transition words qualify or limit an argument, providing nuance to a statement.

• With some reservations Example: “We approve the plan with some reservations regarding the budget.”
• Under certain circumstances Example: “Under certain circumstances, we might reconsider our decision.”
• If applicable Example: “The policy can be extended if applicable to your department.”
• In certain cases Example: “In certain cases, an extension may be granted.”
• With this limitation Example: “With this limitation in mind, we proceeded cautiously.”
• Provided that Example: “You can borrow the equipment, provided that it’s returned by Friday.”
• Given these conditions Example: “Given these conditions, we opted for a conservative approach.”
• As long as Example: “You may continue using the facility as long as you follow the guidelines.”
• If necessary Example: “We can adjust the schedule if necessary.”
• Assuming that Example: “Assuming that the weather improves, we’ll proceed with the outdoor event.”

Repetition Transitions

Use these transitions to emphasize what you mean by repeating or restating ideas in a new way.

• As mentioned earlier Example: “As mentioned earlier, the deadline is Friday.”
• To reiterate Example: “To reiterate, the meeting will be held at 10 a.m.”
• Again Example: “Again, we emphasize the importance of submitting the form on time.”
• As stated previously Example: “As stated previously, the product launch is next month.”
• In other words Example: “We need to increase our efficiency. In other words, we need to cut costs.”
• Let me repeat Example: “Let me repeat, the project must be completed by the end of the week.”
• To restate Example: “To restate, the goal is to increase customer satisfaction.”
• Once again Example: “Once again, we’d like to thank everyone for their hard work.”
• As noted before Example: “As noted before, we should proceed with caution.”
• Let’s go over this again Example: “Let’s go over this again to ensure we’re all on the same page.”

Hypothetical Transitions

These transitions explore possibilities or hypothetical situations. Now we’re getting into the more advanced transition language.

• In the event that Example: “In the event that the meeting is postponed, we will notify you immediately.”
• If this happens Example: “If this happens, we’ll need to adjust the timeline accordingly.”
• Should the need arise Example: “Should the need arise, we’ll schedule additional meetings.”
• Assuming Example: “Assuming the data is accurate, we can move forward with the proposal.”
• In case of Example: “In case of any delays, please contact the project manager.”
• In a scenario where Example: “In a scenario where demand exceeds supply, we’ll increase production.”
• If we were to Example: “If we were to expand into new markets, we’d need additional funding.”
• Hypothetically speaking Example: “Hypothetically speaking, if we doubled our output, what would be the cost?”
• Suppose that Example: “Suppose that the deal goes through, what’s our next step?”
• In the unlikely event Example: “In the unlikely event that there’s a system failure, we have a backup plan.”

Advanced Category: Contradiction Transitions

These transitions are used to show direct contradictions or highlight conflicting information in a nuanced way. Use them sparingly and always strategically.

• Be that as it may Example: “The results were unexpected. Be that as it may, we must move forward.”
• Paradoxically Example: “Paradoxically, more automation led to higher labor costs.”
• Notwithstanding Example: “The proposal was risky, notwithstanding, it was approved unanimously.”
• Ironically Example: “Ironically, the more we cut costs, the lower our profits became.”
• Nevertheless Example: “The conditions were unfavorable. Nevertheless, the event was a success.”
• On the contrary Example: “We expected sales to fall. On the contrary, they increased.”
• Contrarily Example: “Contrarily, we saw an increase in performance after reducing hours.”
• Despite the fact that Example: “Despite the fact that the budget was cut, we delivered on time.”
• Even so Example: “The plan was flawed. Even so, it yielded positive results.”
• Oddly enough Example: “Oddly enough, the simplest solution proved to be the most effective.”

Best Transition Words for Common Use Cases

If you’re looking for a cheat sheet to the best transition words and phrases, this next chart is for you.

In the chart, you’ll find use cases that will come up time and time again. That’s when you need to pull out one of these versatile language bridges, these logic linkages, these meaning mergers.

Here is a good video about using transition words and phrases in writing:

Final Thoughts: Transition Words and Phrases

With these transition words and phrases, you can connect your sentences and statements in almost limitless ways.

But you still might need other types of words. Up your word game with the blog posts below.

Read This Next

• 50 Best Counterclaim Transition Words (+ Examples)
• 50 Temporal Words (Overview, Uses, & Examples)
• Operative Words (Overview, Lists, And 100 Examples)
• 75 Sequence Words: Overview, List & Examples
• Switch Words: Meaning, Uses, and 100 Best Examples

Research Gate – Research on Transition Words

Transitional Words and Phrases

One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.

While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.

In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.

Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.

Categories of Transition Words and Phrases

Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example

Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession

Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary

Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships

Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).

accordingly as a result and so because

consequently for that reason hence on account of

since therefore thus

Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime

later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes

soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while

Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.

additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more

finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place

last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too

Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all although and yet at the same time but

despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding

on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet

Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)

for example for instance specifically that is

to demonstrate to illustrate

Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly critically

foundationally most importantly

of less importance primarily

Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above adjacent to below beyond

centrally here nearby neighboring on

opposite to peripherally there wherever

Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token in like manner

in similar fashion here in the same way

likewise wherever

Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification

i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words

that is that is to say to clarify to explain

to put it another way to rephrase it

granted it is true

naturally of course

finally lastly

in conclusion in the end

to conclude

Intensification

in fact indeed no

of course surely to repeat

undoubtedly without doubt yes

for this purpose in order that

so that to that end

to this end

in brief in sum

in summary in short

to sum up to summarize

Improving Your Writing Style

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Clear, Concise Sentences

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Tidy up wordy phrases

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unneccessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Connecting Ideas Through Transitions

Using Transitional Words and Phrases

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Change will not be effected, say some others, unless individual actions raise the necessary awareness.

While a reader can see the connection between the sentences above, it’s not immediately clear that the second sentence is providing a counterargument to the first. In the example below, key “old information” is repeated in the second sentence to help readers quickly see the connection. This makes the sequence of ideas easier to follow.  

Sentence pair #2: Effective Transition

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change.

You can use this same technique to create clear transitions between paragraphs. Here’s an example:

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change. According to Annie Lowery, individual actions are important to making social change because when individuals take action, they can change values, which can lead to more people becoming invested in fighting climate change. She writes, “Researchers believe that these kinds of household-led trends can help avert climate catastrophe, even if government and corporate actions are far more important” (Lowery).

So, what’s an individual household supposed to do?

The repetition of the word “household” in the new paragraph helps readers see the connection between what has come before (a discussion of whether household actions matter) and what is about to come (a proposal for what types of actions households can take to combat climate change).

Sometimes, transitional words can help readers see how ideas are connected. But it’s not enough to just include a “therefore,” “moreover,” “also,” or “in addition.” You should choose these words carefully to show your readers what kind of connection you are making between your ideas.

To decide which transitional word to use, start by identifying the relationship between your ideas. For example, you might be

• making a comparison or showing a contrast Transitional words that compare and contrast include also, in the same way, similarly, in contrast, yet, on the one hand, on the other hand. But before you signal comparison, ask these questions: Do your readers need another example of the same thing? Is there a new nuance in this next point that distinguishes it from the previous example? For those relationships between ideas, you might try this type of transition: While x may appear the same, it actually raises a new question in a slightly different way. 
• expressing agreement or disagreement When you are making an argument, you need to signal to readers where you stand in relation to other scholars and critics. You may agree with another person’s claim, you may want to concede some part of the argument even if you don’t agree with everything, or you may disagree. Transitional words that signal agreement, concession, and disagreement include however, nevertheless, actually, still, despite, admittedly, still, on the contrary, nonetheless .
• showing cause and effect Transitional phrases that show cause and effect include therefore, hence, consequently, thus, so. Before you choose one of these words, make sure that what you are about to illustrate is really a causal link. Novice writers tend to add therefore and hence when they aren’t sure how to transition; you should reserve these words for when they accurately signal the progression of your ideas.
• explaining or elaborating Transitions can signal to readers that you are going to expand on a point that you have just made or explain something further. Transitional words that signal explanation or elaboration include in other words, for example, for instance, in particular, that is, to illustrate, moreover .
• drawing conclusions You can use transitions to signal to readers that you are moving from the body of your argument to your conclusions. Before you use transitional words to signal conclusions, consider whether you can write a stronger conclusion by creating a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than by flagging the paragraph simply as a conclusion. Transitional words that signal a conclusion include in conclusion , as a result, ultimately, overall— but strong conclusions do not necessarily have to include those phrases.

If you’re not sure which transitional words to use—or whether to use one at all—see if you can explain the connection between your paragraphs or sentence either out loud or in the margins of your draft.

For example, if you write a paragraph in which you summarize physician Atul Gawande’s argument about the value of incremental care, and then you move on to a paragraph that challenges those ideas, you might write down something like this next to the first paragraph: “In this paragraph I summarize Gawande’s main claim.” Then, next to the second paragraph, you might write, “In this paragraph I present a challenge to Gawande’s main claim.” Now that you have identified the relationship between those two paragraphs, you can choose the most effective transition between them. Since the second paragraph in this example challenges the ideas in the first, you might begin with something like “but,” or “however,” to signal that shift for your readers.  

• picture_as_pdf Transitions

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Guide to Writing Introductions and Conclusions

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First and last impressions are important in any part of life, especially in writing. This is why the introduction and conclusion of any paper – whether it be a simple essay or a long research paper – are essential. Introductions and conclusions are just as important as the body of your paper. The introduction is what makes the reader want to continue reading your paper. The conclusion is what makes your paper stick in the reader’s mind.

Introductions

Your introductory paragraph should include:

1) Hook:  Description, illustration, narration or dialogue that pulls the reader into your paper topic. This should be interesting and specific.

2) Transition: Sentence that connects the hook with the thesis.

3) Thesis: Sentence (or two) that summarizes the overall main point of the paper. The thesis should answer the prompt question.

The examples below show are several ways to write a good introduction or opening to your paper. One example shows you how to paraphrase in your introduction. This will help you understand the idea of writing sequences using a hook, transition, and thesis statement.

» Thesis Statement Opening

This is the traditional style of opening a paper. This is a “mini-summary” of your paper.

For example:

» Opening with a Story (Anecdote)

A good way of catching your reader’s attention is by sharing a story that sets up your paper. Sharing a story gives a paper a more personal feel and helps make your reader comfortable.

This example was borrowed from Jack Gannon’s The Week the World Heard Gallaudet (1989):

Astrid Goodstein, a Gallaudet faculty member, entered the beauty salon for her regular appointment, proudly wearing her DPN button. (“I was married to that button that week!” she later confided.) When Sandy, her regular hairdresser, saw the button, he spoke and gestured, “Never! Never! Never!” Offended, Astrid turned around and headed for the door but stopped short of leaving. She decided to keep her appointment, confessing later that at that moment, her sense of principles had lost out to her vanity. Later she realized that her hairdresser had thought she was pushing for a deaf U.S. President. Hook: a specific example or story that interests the reader and introduces the topic.

Transition: connects the hook to the thesis statement

Thesis: summarizes the overall claim of the paper

» Specific Detail Opening

Giving specific details about your subject appeals to your reader’s curiosity and helps establish a visual picture of what your paper is about.

» Open with a Quotation

Another method of writing an introduction is to open with a quotation. This method makes your introduction more interactive and more appealing to your reader.

» Open with an Interesting Statistic

Statistics that grab the reader help to make an effective introduction.

» Question Openings

Possibly the easiest opening is one that presents one or more questions to be answered in the paper. This is effective because questions are usually what the reader has in mind when he or she sees your topic.

Source : *Writing an Introduction for a More Formal Essay. (2012). Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://flightline.highline.edu/wswyt/Writing91/handouts/hook_trans_thesis.htm

Conclusions

The conclusion to any paper is the final impression that can be made. It is the last opportunity to get your point across to the reader and leave the reader feeling as if they learned something. Leaving a paper “dangling” without a proper conclusion can seriously devalue what was said in the body itself. Here are a few effective ways to conclude or close your paper. » Summary Closing Many times conclusions are simple re-statements of the thesis. Many times these conclusions are much like their introductions (see Thesis Statement Opening).

» Close with a Logical Conclusion

This is a good closing for argumentative or opinion papers that present two or more sides of an issue. The conclusion drawn as a result of the research is presented here in the final paragraphs.

» Real or Rhetorical Question Closings

This method of concluding a paper is one step short of giving a logical conclusion. Rather than handing the conclusion over, you can leave the reader with a question that causes him or her to draw his own conclusions.

» Close with a Speculation or Opinion This is a good style for instances when the writer was unable to come up with an answer or a clear decision about whatever it was he or she was researching. For example:

» Close with a Recommendation

A good conclusion is when the writer suggests that the reader do something in the way of support for a cause or a plea for them to take action.

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How to Use Transition Sentences for Smoother Writing

​​In most instances, your writing follows a logical path from your introduction to your conclusion, stopping at various supporting points along the way. Transition sentences enable your writing to progress down this path in a clear, logical manner. 

Transition sentences, as their name implies, express the transitions between thoughts that link them together. They’re the segues that communicate the how, when, where, why, and other relationships you explore in your writing as you move from the introduction to the conclusion , incorporating all relevant supporting points along the way. 

Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write.

Your writing, at its best Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly

What are transition sentences?

Transition sentences are the sentences that show the relationship between two or more ideas. Think of them as bridges, tunnels, and merges that connect different sections of your work , with specific words and phrases acting as road signs. Take a look at this example:

• That company routinely touts efficiency as one of its core brand values. However, the current workday structure is inefficient and slows down employee productivity. Changing to a primarily remote structure with flexible working hours would increase productivity by improving efficiency.

In this example, the middle sentence is the transition sentence. Try reading the first and third sentences in direct succession, skipping over the transition sentence. They make sense, but without that middle sentence, the statement, as a whole, is significantly less impactful. 

What makes a good transition sentence?

A good transition sentence is one that makes the relationship between the ideas it’s linking absolutely clear . It’s one of the most important tools in your writing toolkit because no matter what you’re writing—or whether you’re working on a short story , a blog post , a news article, or a lengthy academic work —being able to express your ideas in a clear way that your reader understands is key. 

The best transition sentence to use in a given situation depends on what you need to communicate. For example, if you need to communicate a point that contradicts your previous statement, an effective transition sentence is one that includes a word or phrase such as however , despite this/that , in contrast , or nonetheless . Take a look at these examples:

• I make it a priority to wake up an hour before I need to leave home each morning. Despite this, I manage to be late to work at least twice per week. 
• Most of the class said Friday was their favorite day of the week. However, a small group of students reported that Wednesday is their favorite weekday.  

Transition sentences do more than buffer contradictory statements, though. They also express similarities , sequences , emphasis , position , examples , and cause-and-effect relationships . Here are a few more examples of transition sentences at work: 

• Employees who’ve returned to the office reported higher productivity levels since switching to a four-day week. Similarly, remote employees have also reported they’re more productive with the new schedule.  
• First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, begin combining your dry ingredients as the oven heats.
• He chose not to buy in that neighborhood because it was too long of a commute to his office. More importantly, its schools aren’t well-ranked.
• Her parties are our favorites because she always chooses unique activities. For instance, her last Halloween party involved a midnight ghost hunt.
• I stacked the bricks as tall as I could stack them. Next to the stack, I dropped all my extra bricks.  
• They were fifteen minutes late. Therefore, we couldn’t let them in to see the show.  
• My aunt and uncle love Disney World. In fact, they go there twice every year.  

Useful words and phrases for transition sentences

So what actually turns regular sentences into transition sentences? Transition words .  

Transition words and phrases are the road signs we mentioned earlier that direct your writing’s flow from one thought to the next. The transition word you choose for a sentence is critical to your reader’s ability to understand your writing because in many cases, otherwise identical sentences can have very different meanings if they have different transition words. Here are quick examples of how word choice can transform one idea: 

• We love to try different local restaurants and explore new cuisines. Recently, we tried two new restaurants downtown.
• We love to try different local restaurants and explore new cuisines. Hence, we tried two new restaurants downtown.  
• We love to try different local restaurants and explore new cuisines. On the whole, we tried two new restaurants downtown.

See how our example foodies’ point changed dramatically just by swapping out the transition words and phrases? Take a look at the most commonly used transition words and phrases for specific transitions:

Transition words and phrases to communicate similarities

• in the same way

Transition words and phrases to express emphasis

• most importantly
• to underscore this

Transition words and phrases to demonstrate cause and effect

• because of 
• consequently

Transition words and phrases to denote position

• across from

Transition words and phrases to illustrate a sequence

• before you begin

Transition words and phrases to show examples

• for example
• for instance
• specifically
• to illustrate

Transition sentences between paragraphs

Beyond writing strong sentences by using transition words and phrases, you can harness these valuable tools to write more effective paragraphs . Generally, the ideal place for a transition sentence is the beginning of a paragraph because this is where you explain new information’s relevance. Your transition sentence should do two things: introduce its paragraph’s topic and give it context within your piece as a whole. 

Take a look at this example of a strong transition sentence between paragraphs:

We hiked all day. After a few hours, my friend, my dog, and I all started to feel weary, taking more frequent rests than we’d taken at the beginning of the hike. But once we caught a glimpse of the mountain’s peak, we felt rejuvenated and powered through the last leg of the way up. We’d spent months planning this trip, and now we were finally there.

After we reached the peak, it was time to decide the best way to go back down the mountain. Somehow, it felt anticlimactic—months and months planning this hike, visualizing ourselves standing atop the tallest mountain we’d hiked to date and now, standing in that position, all I felt was the exhaustion I knew would come with maneuvering our way back down and out of the woods as the sun set.  

In the example above, the use of “after” to initiate the transition creates a contextual contrast between the general ideas in each paragraph. Keep in mind, the kinds of transition words and phrases that work within paragraphs aren’t always the ones that work best to transition between paragraphs. For example, starting off a new paragraph with a word like “therefore” or “similarly” usually can’t introduce the following information sufficiently. 

Transition sentences between sections

Just as transition sentences make the progress from one paragraph to the next more coherent, transition sentences also bridge larger sections of your writing. In some cases, you may need more than just a sentence to transition from one section to the next. These broader transition sentences and paragraphs serve a similar purpose to the transitions between paragraphs: to link the concepts explored in consecutive sections of your writing. 

Take a look at these transition sentences and how they can be used to guide a reader through large sections of your work:

By 2018, it was apparent that we lagged behind our competitors in one key area: providing self-serve checkouts. Every other big-name service center utilizes this kind of system and has seen an increase in sales and in-store efficiency once implementing it. 

Now that we’ve upgraded every service center to the new, fully self-serve system, our company is weighing which large-scale project is most pressing to complete over the next year. There are a few areas with significant room for improvement, each of which comes with its own unique challenges. 

One area of interest is employee retention. Currently, we have a similar turnover rate to our competitors, which costs the company millions in training and other onboarding costs every year. Lowering our turnover rate would reduce this expense, but exactly how much we can realistically lower our turnover rate is yet to be seen. Another key area our team identified as having room for improvement is our online presence. We have identified potential strategies for increasing our online presence as well as potential hurdles that could arise, which we’ll cover in detail in the following paragraphs. 

Transition sentences within paragraphs

As we mentioned earlier, the transition sentences you’d use to introduce new paragraphs usually aren’t the ones you use to transition from sentence to sentence within a paragraph. These sentences have a much narrower scope and work best for tighter transitions, such as comparing details about ideas rather than comparing the ideas themselves. 

Transition sentences are crucial within paragraphs. Take a look at how a paragraph would read without transition sentences:

The best days of my childhood were the days I spent up at my grandparents’ cabin on the lake. I learned how to swim. My grandfather took me to a small, shallow cove where I practiced all the basics. I was a confident swimmer.

Choppy and awkward, right? Now see how transition sentences make it make sense:

The best days of my childhood were the days I spent up at my grandparents’ cabin on the lake. That’s where I learned how to swim. Every afternoon, my grandfather took me to a small, shallow cove where I practiced all the basics. By the time I was eight, I was a confident swimmer.

Fit every word and phrase into your writing with ease

Transition sentences are one of the keys to smooth, flowing writing. When you’re not sure if the transition sentence you’ve chosen is the right one for your work, Grammarly can help. Our writing suggestions catch spelling and syntax mistakes and grammatical errors and can even detect the tones present in your writing. When the word you chose isn’t the right one for the point you’re making, Grammarly can suggest one that is. 

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Helpful Links

Here are sites with extensive lists of transition words and phrases:

  Transitional Words and Phrases – The Writing Center – UW–Madison (wisc.edu)   

Academic Phrasebank | Signalling transition (manchester.ac.uk)

Transitions – The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (unc.edu)

Transitions are words and/or phrases used to indicate movement or show change throughout a piece of writing. Transitions generally come at the beginning of a paragraph and can do the following:

• Alert readers of connections to, or further evidence for, the thesis
• Function as the topic sentence of paragraphs
• Guide readers through an argument
• Help writers stay on task

Transitions sentences often indicate or signal:

• Change to new topic
• Connection/flow from previous topic
• Continuity of overall argument/thesis

Transitions show connections between ideas. You must create these connections for the reader to move them along with your argument. Without transitions, you are building a house without nails. Things do not hold together.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitions can signal change or relationship in these ways:

Time - order of events

Examples: while, immediately, never, after, later, earlier, always, soon, meanwhile, during, until now, next, following, once, then, simultaneously, so far

Contrast - show difference

Examples: yet, nevertheless, after all, but, however, though, otherwise, on the contrary, in contrast, on the other hand, at the same time

Compare - show similarity

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

Position - show spatial relationships

Examples: here, there, nearby, beyond, wherever, opposite to, above, below

Cause and effect

Examples: because, since, for that reason, therefore, consequently, accordingly, thus, as a result

Conclusion - wrap up/summarize the argument

Writing strong transitions often takes more than simply plugging in a transition word or phrase here and there. In a piece of academic writing, writers often need to use signposts, or transition sentences that signal the reader of connections to the thesis. To form a signpost, combine transition words, key terms from the thesis, and a mention of the previous topic and new topic.

Transition/signpost sentence structure: 

[Transition word/phrase] + [previous topic] + [brief restatement of or reference to thesis/argument] + [new topic]  = Signpost

• Do not think of this as a hard and fast template, but a general guide to what is included in a good transition.
• Transitions link the topic of the previous paragraph(s) to the topic of the present paragraph(s) and connect both to the overall goal/argument. You'll most often find signposts at the beginning of a paragraph, where they function as topic sentences .

Sample signpost using complimentary transition phrase:

According to [transition phrase] the same overall plan for first defeating Confederate forces in the field and then capturing major cities and rail hubs [overall thesis restated] that Grant followed by marching the Army of the Potomac into Virginia [previous topic] , Sherman likewise [transition word] advanced into Georgia to drive a dagger into the heart of the Confederacy [new topic] .

Contrasting ideas have the same essential format as complimentary but may use different transition words and phrases:

In contrast to [transition phrase] F.D.R., who maintained an ever-vigilant watchfulness over the Manhattan project [previous topic + reference to overall thesis] , Truman took over the presidency without any knowledge of the atomic bomb or its potential power [new topic] .

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