14 Transitions

Transitions help the writer tie their ideas together.  Most writer use Addition Words or Time Words.  No words are as helpful while reading as the prepositions and conjunctions that guide your mind along the pathways of the author’s ideas. A word like furthermore says, “Keep going!” However says, “Easy!” Master these words and phrases and you will almost immediately become a better reader, for they will whisper directions in your inner ear.

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Addition words

These say, “Here’s more of the same coming up. It’s just as important as what we have already said.”

also                              further                         moreover

and                              furthermore                 too

besides                        in addition

Time words   

“Let’s keep the record straight on who said what and especially when.”

afterwards                   meanwhile                   now

before                          subsequently               presently

formerly                      ultimately                    previously

later

Also, writers use other patterns and transitions to help provide information to the reader.  Watch this video on other ways writers use transition in their writing.

Illustration words

The author is saying, “I want to be sure that you understand my idea; so here’s a specific instance.”

for example(e.g.)         specifically                  as

for instance                 such as                        like

Compare words

They say, “It does what I have just said, but it does this too.”

as well as                     at the same time          similarly

equally important       likewise

Contrast and change words

“So far I’ve given you only one side of the story; now let’s take a look at the other side.”

but                               on the contrary           still

conversely                   on the other hand        though

despite                                    instead of                    yet

however                      rather than                   regardless

nevertheless                even though                 whereas

in spite of                    notwithstanding

Cause and effect words

“All this has happened; now I’ll tell you why.”

accordingly                  since                            then

because                        so                                thus

consequently               hence                           therefore

for this reason

Summarizing words

These say, “We’ve said many things so far. Let’s stop here and pull them together.”

for these reasons         in brief

in conclusion               to sum up