3/29/2021 Easy Words to Use as Sentence Starters to Write Better Essays - Owlcation - Education

How to Choose the Beginning of a

Sentence
Transitions improve your writing by forcing you to explain the connections between your
ideas. With this in mind, what is the best way to choose a beginning word or phrase for
each sentence? Ask yourself:

1. What does the sentence before this one say?

2. What does the sentence before this one mean?

3. How does this sentence relate to the following sentence?

4. Scan the list for a transition that seems to fit best based on your answers to the above.

More Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a

Transition
You can also use these questions to determine what type of transition is appropriate:

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Does this sentence add information? Use: moreover, furthermore, additionally, not only
. . . but also, or another addition transition.

Does the sentence contrast or contradict? Use: however, on the other hand, in
contrast, yet, conversely, or another contrast transition.

Are you writing something that happens in order? Use: next, then, in fact, similarly, or
a time word like first, second, third, and finally. Alternatively, use another sequential
transition.

Does this sentence add evidence? Use: for example, consequently, for this reason, or
another addition transition.

Does the sentence emphasize an idea? Use: obviously, especially, as a rule,

particularly, or another emphasis transition.

Does the sentence start your conclusion: Use: finally, in conclusion, in sum, obviously,
or another conclusion transition.

Tips for Using Transition Words and Phrases

1. Use a variety of transition words, not the same one.

2. Put a comma after the transition word.

3. Put the subject of the sentence after the comma.

Transition Words for Each

Argument
As I've mentioned above, it's critical to choose a transition word based on the type of
argument you're making and what the previous sentence was about. Here I list out the
most appropriate transition words for
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contrasting ideas,

adding more information to a prior idea,

cause and effect situations, and

ideas that emphasize your former sentence/idea.

Words to Show Words to Add Words That Words That

Contrast to an Idea Show Cause Add Emphasis

however additionally accordingly admittedly

although moreover as a result above all

conversely furthermore because as a rule

in contrast as well as consequently as usual

instead another reason due to assuredly

in comparison along with for this reason certainly

nevertheless also for this purpose chiefly

whereas coupled with hence especially

yet correspondingly otherwise granted

on the one hand…on for example since generally speaking

the other hand

on the contrary in addition so then for the most part

other than indeed subsequently in this situation

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Words to Show Words to Add Words That Words That

Contrast to an Idea Show Cause Add Emphasis

outside of in fact therefore no doubt

(undoubtedly)

rather identically thereupon obviously

still likewise this is why of course

besides again thus ordinarily

comparatively similarly wherefore particularly

different from whereas following this singularly

even though likewise as you can see unquestionably

otherwise one other thing for all of those usually

reasons

Use a Variety of Words When

Citing Examples
It's likely that throughout your argument you will use examples to support your claims. The
following transition words and phrases will help you smoothly move into your example or
citation.

Example: Using Transition Words to Cite Examples

They should be used when the following structure is implemented:

Idea, [example/citation transition] example or citation.

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For example:

Despite being many different colors in the wild, foxes are often depicted as red-orange
in movies. This can be seen in the movie The Fox and the Hound, The Fantastic Mr. Fox,
and Robin Hood.

Broken down: Despite being many different colors in the wild, foxes are often depicted
as red-orange in movies [idea]. This can be seen in [example/citation transition] the
movie The Fox and the Hound, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Robin Hood [example(s)].

chiefly as an illustration markedly this can be seen

in

especially for one thing in particular specifically

(particularly)

for/as an illustrated namely such as

example with/by

for instance in this case including in fact

Use any of these alternatives to add clarity and variety to your writing.

Use Different Words to Order

Events
When writing about a sequential or linear event, it's important to maintain clarity by
noting the specific order of the ideas as they occur. We're straying from our fox example
here in order to illustrate a longer narrative.

Example: Using Transition Words to Indicate

Sequence/Order of Events

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Without transition words:

Liz went to the store to get some groceries. She ran into her roommate Joy in the produce
section. They argued about whether they were out of blueberries and what they should
buy for dinner. Joy insisted that she was better at choosing ripe avocados. Liz retorted
that Joy didn't know how to make guacamole correctly and that she was tired of Mexican
food every night. They bickered for five minutes. Joy's phone rang. It was their friend Mark
inviting them over to his house for dinner. Listening, Liz smiled and nodded. Joy laughed
and told him, "We are on our way!"

With transition words:

After work, Liz went to the store to get some groceries. In the produce section, she ran
into her roommate Joy. First of all, they argued about whether they were out of
blueberries, and secondly what they should buy for dinner. Next, Joy insisted that she was
better at choosing ripe avocados. Simultaneously, Liz retorted that Joy didn't know how
to make guacamole correctly and that she was tired of Mexican food every night.
Subsequently, they bickered for five minutes. Joy's phone rang. Luckily, it was their friend
Mark inviting them over to his house for dinner. Listening, Liz smiled and nodded. Joy
laughed and told him, "We are on our way!"

generally... furthermore... during for now later on

finally

first... second... third... currently with this in in turn

mind

in the first place... also... lastly earlier immediately meanwhile

to be sure... additionally... eventually in the next

lastly meantime

first... just in the same way... finally for the time then
finally being

basically... similarly... as well first of all the next step simultaneously

as

afterward to begin with in conclusion soon

fi
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at first in the first in time while
place

Use a wide variety of words to show how ideas are chronologically related.

Paragraph Starters When

Summarizing an Argument
When wrapping up an argument, it's crucial to keep the reader engaged through the end
of your essay. Use a phrase that flows naturally given your prior argument (and be sure
you've thoroughly proven your point throughout your paper!)

Example: Using Transition Words to Conclude an

Argument
Transitions to indicate the summary should be used when the following structure is
implemented:

[transition], concluding idea/thesis statement.

For example:

In short, foxes are many different colors but are often portrayed as orange and red in
films.

Broken down: In short, [transition] foxes are many different colors but are often
portrayed as orange and red in films [concluding idea].

all in all in brief in short that is (that is to

say)

after all in any event in other words on balance

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all things in conclusion in brief therefore

considered

briefly in essence in summary to put it differently

by and large indeed in the final to sum up

analysis

hence on the whole in the long run to summarize

in any case overall namely finally

lastly once and for conclusively at the end

all

Use a wide variety of words to sum up the point you are making.

Commonly Asked Questions About

Transitions and Essays
You may have a number of questions about different types of essays, how they are
structured, and how transition words relate to the essay type. I've answered some
commonly asked questions below!

How Many Types of Essays Are There? Can I Use

Transitions in All of Them?
There are four common essay types and you can use transitions in all of them! The types of
essay are:

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Expository

Descriptive

Narrative

Argumentative

Most examples in this article focus on the expository and argumentive essay types.

How Do I Structure a Simple Expository Essay or

Argumentative Essay?
Many expository and argumentative essays have similar organization and can be broken
down as follows:

First paragraph: Thesis statement/argument

Second paragraph: One example

Third paragraph: Another reason

Fourth paragraph: A third explanation

Fourth paragraph: First, second, and third reasons

Fifth paragraph: Furthermore, an important point

Fifth paragraph: Moreover, the most compelling reason

Fifth paragraph: Connect prior points all together

Sixth paragraph: Conclusion/summary

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