| |
|
Transitions: Signals for your Reader
Transitions are signals or cues in your writing that show the reader the relationship between one idea and the next. Transitions help the reader see that a certain train of thought is being continued, developed, challenged, changed, or summarized. They make your writing flow and make it easier for your reader to understand your ideas. Use a transition to link paragraphs by putting a transition word or phrase in the first sentence of the new paragraph. Use transitions as well to sometimes link sentences within a paragraph.
Cues that lead the reader forward: "Here's more on this idea."
| Again, | Equally important |
| In addition | First, second, finally |
| Above all | Furthermore |
| Likewise | Similarly |
| In other words | Moreover |
| Next | Besides |
Cues that show the reader contrast: "Here's a different idea."
| However | Although this is true |
| On the contrary | Nevertheless |
| Yet | Conversely |
| In contrast | On the other hand |
| But | Instead |
Cues that show cause and effect: "Here's the result of that."
| Thus |
| Therefore |
| As a result |
| Consequently, |
| For that reason |
Cues that introduce a summary or conclusion:
In brief,
In conclusion,
To sum up,
Therefore,
In general,
In short,
Finally
Student Learning Services, Concordia University