Transitional Devices
(from Twenty-Questions for the Writer, p. 113-4)
The word "transition" means passing over. Thus transitional guides are
connectives (symbols,words, phrases; sometimes whole sentences and
paragraphs) that make possible a smooth "passing over" from one idea to the
next. You make transitions by referring to what you have said
before,establishing cause-and-effect connections, looking ahead to what you
will say, referring to the present, marking time and place, qualifying,
comparing, contrasting. These and other common transitional devices appear
here in categories that necessarily overlap to some extent.
Referring back: as we have seen, on the whole, as mentioned above, as
stated previously, as I have said, it seems then
Looking ahead. then, later, next, after, afterward, thereafter, finally, now,
consequently, to sum up
Establishing causal connections: the result, in conclusion, to conclude,
because, for, since, consequently, accordingly, hence, thus, therefore
Time markers: now, then, later, soon, before, next, afterward, finally,
meanwhile, thereafter, at the same time
Place markers: here, there, at this point, below, beside, next to, behind, in
front, outside, inside
Comparing and establishing degree: and, similarly, in like manner, in the
same way, just as, so ... that, also, more than, less than, beyond this
Qualifying conceding, or contrasting: but, nevertheless, on the other hand,
however, despite this, still, on the contrary, conversely, if, as if, granted that,
unless, whether, anyhow, although, even though, yet
Adding and intensifying: first, second, third; a, b, c, 1, 2, 3, to repeat, in
addition, moreover, and, also, still, again, similarly, furthermore, finally, really,
indeed
Introducing an illustration: thus, to illustrate, for example, for instance
Repeating a key word: This device keeps the main idea before the reader
and carries the thread of meaning throughout a passage.
Using synonyms: Instead of repeating a key word so that it becomes
monotonous, you may use suitable synonyms that continue the same thought.
Using proper pronoun reference: Another substitute for the repetition of key
nouns and another way of connecting ideas is to use pronouns in place of
nouns.
Maintaining same subject throughout paragraph: You can often continue
the same subject from sentence to sentence, thereby maintaining a steady
focus throughout the paragraph.
Establishing repetitive or parallel sentence patterns: In addition to
repeating key words and ideas, you may repeat the grammatical structure of
your sentences to reinforce the unity of your thoughts and promote their flow.
Linking of last sentence of one paragraph with first sentence of next:
This natural, frequently intuitive method maintains coherence between
paragraphs. Sometimes you may need connecting words (such as "then
again" or "on another occasion"), but often the direction of the thought
provides its own continuity.
LIST OF TRANSITIONS
1. Transitions that add, repeat, or emphasize:
and
further
finally
also
furthermore
after all
in addition
moreover
first, second,
besides
indeed
to conclude
too
in fact
to sum up
in other words
as a result
accordingly
again
nevertheless
in the end
2. Transitions that compare, contrast, or contradict:
similarly
as, as if
regardless
rather than
like
unlike
in spite of
despite
in comparison
however
but, yet
even when
on the other hand
along with
whereas
although
to the contrary
3. Transitions that show a time or space relationship:
before
earlier
alongside
now
next
now
between
at first
afterwards
in time
later
at last
finally
eventually
ever since
then
until
soon
the following
across
during
still
day/night
over
within
meanwhile
beyond
from . . . to
4. Transitions that limit or prepare for an example:
if
that is
unless
namely
when
for example
for instance
to illustrate
in case
such as
in particular
provided that
5. Transitions that signal cause or result:
because
thus
for
as a result
so
consequently
therefore
for this reason
6. Transitions that assert a truth or acknowledge opposition:
no doubt
of course
in fact
naturally
doubtless
granted that
certainly
conceding that
surely
without a doubt
7. Transition can also be effectively accomplished by repeating a key
term or phrase:
In 1949, a new trend began as Oklahoma voters approved a state bond issue
for higher education facilities. This first state bond issue injected $36 million
into the system to strengthen its infrastructure
