The success of a written paper depends much on how the reader treats it. If the information has been conveyed concisely and clearly, the chances are higher that the target audience will share your standpoint. Transition words are aimed at achieving this goal by creating logical relationships between different parts of your paper. Thus, they help the text look holistic and contribute to a better understanding of its essence. When you utilize transition words in an essay, your readers face no issues putting together your thoughts. Thus, they increase the quality of your paper, providing your target audience with a clue on how to react to your ideas and get the logic.
What Are Transition Words?
As you might have already guessed, transitional words link phrases, sentences, or paragraphs. There are about two hundred transition words for writing an essay you can use to connect thoughts, introduce an opposition, make an emphasis, show the result, or bring your text to a conclusion. Thus, your readers can freely move through the text, getting the meaning of all the ideas at first glance. We'll consider transition words for essays examples below to sort things out.
Why Should I Use Transition Words?
You may believe that you can do perfectly well without transition words for essay, but they make a remarkable difference and move your writing to a new level. They make all the sentences sound more powerful together and look more holistic. Thus, your professor is more likely to provide you with a higher grade if they find your writing well-crafted. Let's just compare two sentences, "John failed to meet a deadline in Literature. He would take this class again next semester" and "John failed to meet a deadline in Literature. Therefore, he would take this class again next semester." One small adjustment can make two sentences look more consistent.
Types of Transition Words
If you've agreed that using transition words for an essay is a great idea, it is time to go deep down the question and talk about different types of transitions you can utilize. Each case requires suitable conditions for usage, even though they are aimed at fulfilling the same functions.
Transition Between Sections
While most undergraduate students work on standard five-paragraph essays that don't stand out with their length, postgraduate ones deal with much longer works. Some of them require involving transitional paragraphs that sum up previously provided information and highlight the relevance of these data for the discussion in the next section.
Transition Between Paragraphs
Suppose you have created a well-crafted text in which paragraphs flow logically and look holistic. In that case, the transition will emphasize the existing connection by summing up the previous paragraph and giving a clue on the following. It can be a word or a combination of two, a phrase, or even a whole sentence.
Transition Within Paragraphs
The situation is similar to the previous cases since transitions within paragraphs are aimed at providing readers with clues on what will happen further before they read about it. Usually, it is about separate words and short phrases.
Transition Words & Transitional Phrases with Examples
Transitional words fall into various categories that differ depending on their role in the sentence or paragraph. We'll examine the most common categories more closely, using prime examples of transition words for better clarity.
Reference Transition Words
The very name of this category suggests that you will use these words to refer to a thought that has already been mentioned in your paper. You can utilize such transition words for essays body paragraph to highlight the mention: considering, with respect to, speaking about, concerning, as far as, regarding, in connection to, the fact that, etc. How do these words sound in a sentence?
- I told Angie that she couldn't enroll due to the fact that she had failed to meet the deadline with the application.
- Speaking about women, you should avoid the use of sexist expressions.
- I reached out to you regarding the robbery you witnessed.
Conclusion Transition Words
You resort to this category when you need to sum up the thoughts that you've already provided. For instance, you can utilize these transition words for essays conclusion. Pay attention to the following words: therefore, in short, briefly, to sum up, in a nutshell, overall, in a word, by and large, ultimately, in conclusion, etc.
- In short, states are the servants and instruments of human beings, not the other way round.
- In a nutshell, racism is an ideology of racial supremacy.
- By and large, companies supported these recommendations.
Order Transition Words
You can resort to this category if you need to demonstrate a change in the timing or the order of sequential thoughts and phrases. In this case, the best transition words for an essay may sound like: since, last but not least, prior to, following, to begin with, from this point, in turn, etc.
- Last but not least, the improvement of the Council's schedule is another key element of the reform.
- From this point, there were battles between the Romans and forces loyal to Cleopatra.
- It, in turn, contributes to gender-based violence.
Contrast Transition Words
When you need to highlight the difference between two points of view (or pieces of info), you resort to the following words: alternatively, nonetheless, unlike, conversely, up against, rather, notwithstanding, etc.
- Notwithstanding this incident, the general security environment continues to improve.
- Conversely, laptops and tablets provide portability that desktop computers cannot.
- Unlike you, Marry always follows her gut.
Illustration Transition Words
Suppose you want to provide your readers with an example of what you are referring to. In that case, you can resort to the following words: namely, such as, specifically, to clarify, illustrated by, for instance, etc.
- For instance, I like to spend my weekend in the fresh air.
- I bought roses specifically to torture her elder sister.
- Two characteristics are crucial, namely persistence and vulnerability.
Emphasis Transition Words
When you need to highlight a certain fact and the importance of the information specified in your paper, you can use the following words: undoubtedly, obviously, importantly, never, truly, in detail, to emphasize, in truth, etc.
- Obviously, you feel guilty, so there is no point in continuing this conversation.
- It's about making the readers truly believe that miracles can happen.
- In truth, the BBC chiefs have come here just to show off.
Addition Transition Words
If you need to add some crucial information to the theme discussed in your essay, you can use the following words: furthermore, besides, finally, along with, further, in addition to this, not to mention, etc.
- He has been to Italy, not to mention France.
- Sexism should be combated along with racism.
- Furthermore, globalization goes against the development of individuals.
Result Transition Words
This category of transition words has many things in common with one we'll consider below since it also connects a sentence with the outcome. Some of the most widespread words are the following: hence, consequently, due to, accordingly, as the result, etc.
- Competition law enforcement can boost productivity, hence employment creation.
- Consequently, plane orders and design were amended.
- Accordingly, she suggested non-appropriate wording.
Reason Transition Words
If you need to demonstrate the cause and consequence of a certain situation, you can utilize the following words: provided that, because of, in view of, with the purpose, owing to, so that, etc.
- Higher flight costs owing to the pandemic consequences.
- College students have the right to special study loans, provided that they can boast of high academic performance.
- Because of the foregoing, the company doesn't accept the offer.
Tips to Use Transition Words in Your Essay
To get the best out of these words, you should know how to utilize them correctly. It is especially true for transition words for essays introduction since it affects your readers' first impression. Pay attention to the following tips:
- Don't overdo it utilizing transitional words in your paper. Otherwise, it will look clogged.
- Ensure that you understand the meaning of the transition words to start a paragraph correctly and make a logical connection.
- Know how to begin your sentences, and never start with 'and,' 'because,' or 'but.'
- Make sure to complete all the sentences.
Summing Up
Transition words for essays make the latter look coherent and logical, even if you switch from one idea to another. It is crucial to involve them when you start a new paragraph since you change the subject of the discussion in some way. However, if you overdo it utilizing these 'helpers,' your paper may look messy.
FAQ
What Are the Basic Transition Words?
The list of basic transition words may involve the following: therefore, accordingly, considering, following, hence, to sum up, and many others.
What Is a Good Transition Sentence?
Such a sentence creates a clear connection between ideas and paragraphs within your paper.
How Do You Transition to a New Paragraph?
When you need to switch to a new idea and start another paragraph, you can utilize suitable transition words or phrases.
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