Transition Words
Refer to this chart for more transitional words and expressions. Practice by writing a paragraph that explains why transitions are important for communicating effectively in writing. Try to use transitions from at least three of the categories listed on the chart when writing your paragraph.
The best stylists become masters at artfully placing transition words in pivotal positions – i.e., places where the sentence or paragraph meaning "shifts" slightly. What follows is a handy list of common transition words and their functions. If you open sentences appropriately with these words it will help your writing to flow. One caveat though: Always keep the literal meaning of a transition word in mind as you use it – therefore, do not use "for example" unless you are introducing an example that links to the preceding information; do not use "nevertheless" unless you are offering a contrasting point. Note how this paragraph has required a minimal use of transition words; they should not be forced in where they do not belong. When you do use them, keep their broader functions (i.e., "causality", "emphasis", etc.) directly in mind.
| Causality | Emphasis | Amplification |
| Accordingly | Above all | Again |
| Consequently | Certainly | Also |
| For this reason | Clearly | Apparently |
| Hence | Indeed | Besides |
| Therefore | In fact | Equally important |
| Thus | In short | Finally |
| Obviously | First, Second, etc. | |
| Intention | Of course | Further |
| For this purpose | In addition | |
| In order to do this | Closure | Moreover |
| To this end | In conclusion | |
| With this in mind | In sum | Detail |
| On the whole | Especially | |
| Location | To summarize | In particular |
| Beyond | In regard to | |
| Here | Similarity | Namely |
| Nearby | Likewise | Specifically |
| Opposite | Similarly | To enumerate |
| Overlying (underlying) | ||
| There | Time | Comparison/Contrast |
| To the right (left) | Afterward | However |
| At the same time | In contrast | |
| Concession | Before | In relation to |
| At any rate | Earlier | Nevertheless |
| At least | Eventually | On the other hand |
| In the meantime | Still | |
| Example | Sometimes | |
| For example | Later | Interpretation |
| For instance | Next | Fortunately |
| To demonstrate | Preceding this | Interestingly |
| To illustrate | Simultaneously | Significantly |
| Soon | Surprisingly |
Source: Joe Schall, https://www.e-education.psu.edu/styleforstudents/
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