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Transitions are verbal bridges that move readers and listeners from one idea to the next. Specifically, a transition is a word or group of words that express the relationship between your ideas as you move from point to point within a paper or speech. Transitions may come at the start of sections, paragraphs, and sentences. Wherever they appear, they help others to follow what you are saying and to keep track of what you have said.
- Summarize the preceding points . For example, "Up to this point, I have argued for three new directions in the treatment of diabetes."
- Preview the coming point/s . For example, "Unfortunately, using pesticides in such vast quantities harms the environment on multiple levels."
- Establish the logical, temporal, spatial or evaluative relationship between the preceding idea and the one/s that follow . For example, "Although some people would argue that history is boring, it helps us understand the present in at least two important ways." Another example, "None of us would knowingly use dangerous lifting techniques to sabotage the benefits of weightlifting, but that's just what many people do every day. There are three dangerous.."
To be effective with transitions, it's best to use a variety of them and to choose transitions that accurately capture the relationship between or among your points.
Transitions that link similar ideas:
| again |
for example |
likewise |
furthermore |
thus |
| also |
for instance |
moreover |
therefore |
consequently |
| and |
to illustrate |
of course |
as a result |
accordingly |
| another |
in addition |
similarly |
more importantly |
too |
| besides |
in a like manner |
not surprisingly |
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Transitions that link dissimilar or contradictory ideas:
| although |
in spite of |
on the one hand |
nevertheless |
yet |
| conversely |
instead |
on the other hand |
however |
but |
| provided that |
even if |
on the contrary |
otherwise |
still |
Transitions frequently used to begin paragraphs or sentences:
| curiously enough |
in essence |
indeed |
in contrast to |
| in keeping with |
withal |
allowing for |
it is said that |
| in this case |
in application of |
it may be remarked |
an apt example |
| so much for |
here the situation is |
associated with |
by and large |
| truly |
in addition to |
even before this |
as a corollary |
| it still remains that |
yet it is apparent that |
on the positive side |
coupled with |
| with respect to |
as the years pass |
it is possible that |
in the past |
| in one sense |
to be sure |
if space permitted |
at this point |
| on the basis of |
in all this |
still worse is |
there can be no doubt |
| on arriving that |
it is now accepted |
in reviewing |
as already cited |
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