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Transition Words in Essay Writing Help Make a Clean Leap From One Idea to the Next

Man leaping

Transition words in essay writing are useful communicators. The less ambiguous your message, the more it will convey what you want it to. Transition words and phrases do exactly that.

Let’s get a clear definition of transition words and phrases before we delve into our examples.

“They are words with particular meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your ideas. In providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the logic of how your ideas fit together” (Transitions. The Writing Center).

There are many transition words and phrases in essay writing that cover several categories:

  • Illustration

Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.

  • Contrast

On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.

  • Addition

And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise.

  • Time

After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.

  • Space

At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background.

  • Concession

Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course.

  • Similarity or Comparison

Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to.

  • Emphasis

Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition.

  • Details

Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.

  • Examples

For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.

  • Consequence or Result

So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.

  • Summary

Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.

  • Suggestion

For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore. (Taraba)

The plethora of transition words in essay writing offers many choices for you to use in constructing your sentences. Using them correctly will enrich your writing skills, thereby allowing you to communicate more effectively.

Here Are a Few Examples of Sentences That Use These Transition Words in Essay Writing

Sample Sentences

Illustration  

I arrived at the airport an hour late due to heavy traffic. In other words (illustration), I missed my plane.

Contrast

On one hand (contrast), Brandon was thrilled to receive the firm’s coveted corner office. On the other hand (contrast), with his promotion came a heavy workload.

Addition

Amanda’s husband gave her $5,000 for her birthday in addition to (addition) an expensive sports car.

Time

After (time) waiting an hour for the fog to clear, she was finally (time) able to see the road.

Space

In the distance (space), the tourists spotted the herd of camels.

Concession

Julia was lonely despite (concession) being the prettiest girl at school.

Similarity or Comparison

The giraffe splayed her legs, bending to get a drink of water. In like fashion (similarity), her calf did the same.

Emphasis

The young man was already taller than his father, in addition to (emphasis) weighing considerably more.

Details

The bicyclist wore reflective clothing, especially (detail) when riding in failing light.

Examples

Mandy found it hard to concentrate in statistics class. In other words (example), she disliked the subject.

Consequence or Result

Joe had too much to drink at the party. Consequently (result), he was unable to drive home.

Summary

 “Class, it’s beginning to snow heavily; thus (summary), class is canceled for the rest of the day.”

Suggestion

Both men and women baked and sold cookies at the bake sale; therefore (suggestion), the school reached its monetary goal in record time.

Transition Words in Essay Writing Help to Piece Together Communication More Cohesively

Puzzle Pieces

You want anyone who’s reading your work to be able to read it with understanding. Having to reread a sentence or two because it isn’t clear will cause her to lose interest. Practice using all of the above transition words in essay writing and your other writings. In this way, they will become second nature to you.

Seasoned authors use transition words in essay writing as well as in their general writing. Let’s look at how a couple of authors use transition words when they write phrases.

Lamont states that you “are going to love some of your characters because they are you or some facet of you, and you are going to hate some of your characters for the same reason” (76).

In Lamont’s quote above, she uses the transition phrase of consequence: for the same reason.

Harris writes that in the “short tropic twilight she took the bus back to the big house on the bay. It was almost dark when she got there, the palms already black against the last light” (11-12).

Harris uses several transition words that deal with time: twilight, dark, last light.

Mastering the use of transition words in essay writing will gift your writing with depth. It will stand out from the work of those authors who do not take the time, or have the knowledge, to do this.

Transitions. The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (2021, March 2). Retrieved 11 June 2022, from https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/.

Taraba, Joanna. "Writer's Web: Transitional Words and Phrases." Writer's Web: Transitional Words and Phrases, writing2.richmond.edu, http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/trans1.html. Accessed 17 June 2022.

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