Subsection 4.2.3 Writing Transitions
Transitions are the signposts that alert the reader that there’s a hairpin turn ahead or that they’re crossing state lines, and, body paragraphs are the landmarks along the way that make the reader appreciate the journey toward understanding your thesis.
The Signposts.
Whether you are expressing a similar idea or introducing a completely new one, transitions can be useful when you want to move from one thought to another. Transitions act as the signposts for your paper, guiding the reader from one thought to another while minimizing unexpected surprises. Below are some examples of transitional expressions and how to use them.
WHEN/HOW TO USE IT |
TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION |
To add to a previous idea or to introduce a new idea |
In addition, additionally, furthermore, similarly, along the same lines, in the same way, comparatively, along with, as previously mentioned, also, likewise, moreover |
To elaborate |
For example, for instance, specifically, in particular, to elucidate/elaborate |
To contradict a previous idea/show discrepancy |
However, even though, although, while, even with, in spite of, despite, in contrast, on the other hand, but, contradictorily, nevertheless, nonetheless, meanwhile |
To show cause and effect |
Therefore, thus, hence, correspondingly, consequently, accordingly, in light of, because, it follows that, for this reason |
To conclude a thought |
All in all, overall, to conclude, in conclusion |
To show sequence |
First, before, in order to, initially, originally, to begin, precedingly, next, then, during, currently, concurrently, at the same time, simultaneously, meanwhile, after, finally |
