Transistions

Transitions are words or phrases that indicate to the reader the relationship between ideas within the paper. They may be necessary within paragraphs, between paragraphs, and between sections of longer papers.

Useful transitions:

To show chronological order:

first, at last, at present, meanwhile, during, finally, therefore, formerly, later, before, next, now, then, after, suddenly, afterwards, from then on, shortly, today, sometime, and, yesterday, this morning, afternoon, evening, tomorrow, however, but

To show order of importance:

also, primarily, another, best of all, most importantly, moreover, in addition to, foremost, one reason is that

To show an example:

for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate

To show description:

above, beneath, near, out, surrounding, up, ahead, beyond, outside, to the back, everywhere, down, around, closer, overhead, to the front, underfoot, in, behind, to the right, in, to the side, left, on

To show addition:

additionally, again, also, and, as well as, further, furthermore, moreover, in addition, besides, equally important

To show similarity:

also, in the same way, similarly, likewise

To show exception:

but, however, in spite of, on the other hand, nevertheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet

To show cause and effect:

accordingly, so, therefore, thus, consequently

To conclude or repeat:

Finally, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize