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Transition Sentences | Tips & Examples for Clear Writing

Published on June 9, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

Clear transitions are crucial to clear writing: They show the reader how different parts of your essay, paper, or thesis are connected. Transition sentences can be used to structure your text and link together paragraphs or sections.

… In this case, the researchers concluded that the method was unreliable.

However , evidence from a more recent study points to a different conclusion . …

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Table of contents

Transitioning between paragraphs, transitioning to a new section, transitions within a paragraph, other interesting articles.

When you start a new paragraph , the first sentence should clearly express:

  • What this paragraph will discuss
  • How it relates to the previous paragraph

The examples below show some examples of transition sentences between paragraphs and what they express.

Placement of transition sentences

The beginning of a new paragraph is generally the right place for a transition sentence. Each paragraph should focus on one topic, so avoid spending time at the end of a paragraph explaining the theme of the next one.

The first dissenter to consider is …

However, several scholars dissent from this consensus. The first one to consider is …

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While transitions between paragraphs are generally a single sentence, when you start a new section in a longer text, you may need an entire transition paragraph. Transitioning to a new section involves summarizing the content of the previous section and expressing how the new one will build upon or depart from it.

For example, the following sentences might be an effective transition for a new section in a literary analysis essay.

Having established that the subjective experience of time is one of Mann’s key concerns in The Magic Mountain , it is now possible to explore how this theme facilitates the novel’s connection with World War I. The war itself is not narrated in the book, but rather hinted at as something awaiting Castorp beyond the final pages. In this way, Mann links his protagonist’s subjective experience of time to more than just his illness; it is also used to explore the period leading up to the outbreak of war.

As in academic writing generally, aim to be as concise as you can while maintaining clarity: If you can transition to a new section clearly with a single sentence, do so, but use more when necessary.

It’s also important to use effective transitions within each paragraph you write, leading the reader through your arguments efficiently and avoiding ambiguity.

The known-new contract

The order of information within each of your sentences is important to the cohesion of your text. The known-new contract , a useful writing concept, states that a new sentence should generally begin with some reference to information from the previous sentence, and then go on to connect it to new information.

In the following example, the second sentence doesn’t follow very clearly from the first. The connection only becomes clear when we reach the end.

By reordering the information in the second sentence so that it begins with a reference to the first, we can help the reader follow our argument more smoothly.

Note that the known-new contract is just a general guideline. Not every sentence needs to be structured this way, but it’s a useful technique if you’re struggling to make your sentences cohere.

Transition words and phrases

Using appropriate transition words helps show your reader connections within and between sentences. Transition words and phrases come in four main types:

  • Additive transitions, which introduce new information or examples
  • Adversative transitions, which signal a contrast or departure from the previous text
  • Causal transitions, which are used to describe cause and effect
  • Sequential transitions, which indicate a sequence

The table below gives a few examples for each type:

Grouping similar information

While transition words and phrases are essential, and every essay will contain at least some of them, it’s also important to avoid overusing them. One way to do this is by grouping similar information together so that fewer transitions are needed.

For example, the following text uses three transition words and jumps back and forth between ideas. This makes it repetitive and difficult to follow.

Rewriting it to group similar information allows us to use just one transition, making the text more concise and readable.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Change will not be effected, say some others, unless individual actions raise the necessary awareness.

While a reader can see the connection between the sentences above, it’s not immediately clear that the second sentence is providing a counterargument to the first. In the example below, key “old information” is repeated in the second sentence to help readers quickly see the connection. This makes the sequence of ideas easier to follow.  

Sentence pair #2: Effective Transition

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change.

You can use this same technique to create clear transitions between paragraphs. Here’s an example:

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change. According to Annie Lowery, individual actions are important to making social change because when individuals take action, they can change values, which can lead to more people becoming invested in fighting climate change. She writes, “Researchers believe that these kinds of household-led trends can help avert climate catastrophe, even if government and corporate actions are far more important” (Lowery).

So, what’s an individual household supposed to do?

The repetition of the word “household” in the new paragraph helps readers see the connection between what has come before (a discussion of whether household actions matter) and what is about to come (a proposal for what types of actions households can take to combat climate change).

Sometimes, transitional words can help readers see how ideas are connected. But it’s not enough to just include a “therefore,” “moreover,” “also,” or “in addition.” You should choose these words carefully to show your readers what kind of connection you are making between your ideas.

To decide which transitional word to use, start by identifying the relationship between your ideas. For example, you might be

  • making a comparison or showing a contrast Transitional words that compare and contrast include also, in the same way, similarly, in contrast, yet, on the one hand, on the other hand. But before you signal comparison, ask these questions: Do your readers need another example of the same thing? Is there a new nuance in this next point that distinguishes it from the previous example? For those relationships between ideas, you might try this type of transition: While x may appear the same, it actually raises a new question in a slightly different way. 
  • expressing agreement or disagreement When you are making an argument, you need to signal to readers where you stand in relation to other scholars and critics. You may agree with another person’s claim, you may want to concede some part of the argument even if you don’t agree with everything, or you may disagree. Transitional words that signal agreement, concession, and disagreement include however, nevertheless, actually, still, despite, admittedly, still, on the contrary, nonetheless .
  • showing cause and effect Transitional phrases that show cause and effect include therefore, hence, consequently, thus, so. Before you choose one of these words, make sure that what you are about to illustrate is really a causal link. Novice writers tend to add therefore and hence when they aren’t sure how to transition; you should reserve these words for when they accurately signal the progression of your ideas.
  • explaining or elaborating Transitions can signal to readers that you are going to expand on a point that you have just made or explain something further. Transitional words that signal explanation or elaboration include in other words, for example, for instance, in particular, that is, to illustrate, moreover .
  • drawing conclusions You can use transitions to signal to readers that you are moving from the body of your argument to your conclusions. Before you use transitional words to signal conclusions, consider whether you can write a stronger conclusion by creating a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than by flagging the paragraph simply as a conclusion. Transitional words that signal a conclusion include in conclusion , as a result, ultimately, overall— but strong conclusions do not necessarily have to include those phrases.

If you’re not sure which transitional words to use—or whether to use one at all—see if you can explain the connection between your paragraphs or sentence either out loud or in the margins of your draft.

For example, if you write a paragraph in which you summarize physician Atul Gawande’s argument about the value of incremental care, and then you move on to a paragraph that challenges those ideas, you might write down something like this next to the first paragraph: “In this paragraph I summarize Gawande’s main claim.” Then, next to the second paragraph, you might write, “In this paragraph I present a challenge to Gawande’s main claim.” Now that you have identified the relationship between those two paragraphs, you can choose the most effective transition between them. Since the second paragraph in this example challenges the ideas in the first, you might begin with something like “but,” or “however,” to signal that shift for your readers.  

  • picture_as_pdf Transitions

Writing Explained

What is a Transition? Definition, Examples of Transitions in Writing

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is a Transition? Definition, Examples of Transitions in Writing

Transition definition: Transitions are words or phrases that are used to connect one idea to the next when writing.

What is a Transition?

Transitions are words or phrases that are inserted into writing in order to connect thoughts and ideas. These allow for the reader to easily follow the progression of the writing by adding flow.

Example of a Transition

When writing a step-by-step guide to how to do something, people often used numerical transitions such as first, second, and third in order to help the audience understand the separate steps involved.

Where Are Transitions Used?

Between sections : In lengthy writing, transitions are used between sections in order to summarize what has been already explained as well as introduce future material. For example, in history textbooks, the writers may include transitions between chapters in order to provide connections between the historical events.

Between ideas : Transitions are important to use between ideas in order to separate the individual thoughts. An example could be when giving people options to choose between, a person would want to add a transition in order to identify they have moved on to a new choice.

Between paragraphs : When including transitions between paragraphs, it is important to identify the connection between the two in order to effectively move from one paragraph to the next. Often times, a good way to this is to read the last sentence of the first paragraph and the first sentence of the second in order to find a connection. For example, when offering two sides to a situation, the transition word however could be a good connector between two paragraphs.

Within paragraphs : It is also important to include transitions within paragraphs so the thoughts within the section flow from one to the next in an organized manner. If the writer is talking about an idea and then wants to provide an example to illustrate, the transition for example will help the reader transition.

The Function of Transitions in Literature

Transitions are important in literature in order to help the reader understand the writing. They allow for the story to flow from one thought to the next allowing for the reader to build upon the ideas without having to think too hard in order to put them together.

Without effective transitions, writing may become ineffective and confusing.

In James Hurst’s “The Scarlet Ibis” the power of transitions is evident in order to show a character’s change of thought. First, let’s take a look at an example in which the transition word has been removed:

  • “It was bad enough having an invalid brother, but having one who possibly was not all there was unbearable, so I began to make plans to kill him by smothering him with a pillow…one afternoon as I watched him, my head poked between the iron posts of the foot of the bed, he looked straight at me and grinned.”

Second, let’s look at the line with the transition word in order to compare the difference:

  • “It was bad enough having an invalid brother, but having one who possibly was not all there was unbearable, so I began to make plans to kill him by smothering him with a pillow. However , one afternoon as I watched him, my head poked between the iron posts of the foot of the bed, he looked straight at me and grinned.”

By adding the transition word however , it signals to the reader that the narrator’s attitude toward his brother changed. Without the transition word, the change would be ambiguous.

Transition Examples in Literature

In John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas , he uses the transition phrase “ some days later” in order to denote a change in time between chapters.

  • “Some days later Bruno was lying on the bed in his room, staring at the ceiling above his head”

Carrie Brownstein includes the transition “nevertheless” in her memoir Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl in order to show that she is adding to a previous point that she made:

  • “I really didn’t want to go to Western Washington University. I had no plan, and I left for the northern part of the state knowing only that I would not be there long. Departing for a departure. Nevertheless , I went through the motions.”

Summary: What are Transitions?

Define transition in literature: In summation, transitions are words are phrases that are used to connect thoughts or ideas together in a manner that helps the writing flow for the reader to limit confused or misunderstanding.

Final Example:

In Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City , he uses the transition word however in order to show contrast between two ideas:

  • “Yes, he said, he was sure of it: The man in the photograph had come to his hotel…It was the children, however , that he remembered the most clearly, and now he told the detectives why.

The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Transitions

What this handout is about.

In this crazy, mixed-up world of ours, transitions glue our ideas and our essays together. This handout will introduce you to some useful transitional expressions and help you employ them effectively.

The function and importance of transitions

In both academic writing and professional writing, your goal is to convey information clearly and concisely, if not to convert the reader to your way of thinking. Transitions help you to achieve these goals by establishing logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your papers. In other words, transitions tell readers what to do with the information you present to them. Whether single words, quick phrases, or full sentences, they function as signs that tell readers how to think about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they read through what you have written.

Transitions signal relationships between ideas—relationships such as: “Another example coming up—stay alert!” or “Here’s an exception to my previous statement” or “Although this idea appears to be true, here’s the real story.” Basically, transitions provide the reader with directions for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument. Transitions are not just verbal decorations that embellish your paper by making it sound or read better. They are words with particular meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your ideas. In providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the logic of how your ideas fit together.

Signs that you might need to work on your transitions

How can you tell whether you need to work on your transitions? Here are some possible clues:

  • Your instructor has written comments like “choppy,” “jumpy,” “abrupt,” “flow,” “need signposts,” or “how is this related?” on your papers.
  • Your readers (instructors, friends, or classmates) tell you that they had trouble following your organization or train of thought.
  • You tend to write the way you think—and your brain often jumps from one idea to another pretty quickly.
  • You wrote your paper in several discrete “chunks” and then pasted them together.
  • You are working on a group paper; the draft you are working on was created by pasting pieces of several people’s writing together.

Organization

Since the clarity and effectiveness of your transitions will depend greatly on how well you have organized your paper, you may want to evaluate your paper’s organization before you work on transitions. In the margins of your draft, summarize in a word or short phrase what each paragraph is about or how it fits into your analysis as a whole. This exercise should help you to see the order of and connection between your ideas more clearly.

If after doing this exercise you find that you still have difficulty linking your ideas together in a coherent fashion, your problem may not be with transitions but with organization. For help in this area (and a more thorough explanation of the “reverse outlining” technique described in the previous paragraph), please see the Writing Center’s handout on organization .

How transitions work

The organization of your written work includes two elements: (1) the order in which you have chosen to present the different parts of your discussion or argument, and (2) the relationships you construct between these parts. Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization clearer and easier to follow. Take a look at the following example:

El Pais , a Latin American country, has a new democratic government after having been a dictatorship for many years. Assume that you want to argue that El Pais is not as democratic as the conventional view would have us believe.

One way to effectively organize your argument would be to present the conventional view and then to provide the reader with your critical response to this view. So, in Paragraph A you would enumerate all the reasons that someone might consider El Pais highly democratic, while in Paragraph B you would refute these points. The transition that would establish the logical connection between these two key elements of your argument would indicate to the reader that the information in paragraph B contradicts the information in paragraph A. As a result, you might organize your argument, including the transition that links paragraph A with paragraph B, in the following manner:

Paragraph A: points that support the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.

Transition: Despite the previous arguments, there are many reasons to think that El Pais’s new government is not as democratic as typically believed.

Paragraph B: points that contradict the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.

In this case, the transition words “Despite the previous arguments,” suggest that the reader should not believe paragraph A and instead should consider the writer’s reasons for viewing El Pais’s democracy as suspect.

As the example suggests, transitions can help reinforce the underlying logic of your paper’s organization by providing the reader with essential information regarding the relationship between your ideas. In this way, transitions act as the glue that binds the components of your argument or discussion into a unified, coherent, and persuasive whole.

Types of transitions

Now that you have a general idea of how to go about developing effective transitions in your writing, let us briefly discuss the types of transitions your writing will use.

The types of transitions available to you are as diverse as the circumstances in which you need to use them. A transition can be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire paragraph. In each case, it functions the same way: First, the transition either directly summarizes the content of a preceding sentence, paragraph, or section or implies such a summary (by reminding the reader of what has come before). Then, it helps the reader anticipate or comprehend the new information that you wish to present.

  • Transitions between sections: Particularly in longer works, it may be necessary to include transitional paragraphs that summarize for the reader the information just covered and specify the relevance of this information to the discussion in the following section.
  • Transitions between paragraphs: If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places.
  • Transitions within paragraphs: As with transitions between sections and paragraphs, transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases.

Transitional expressions

Effectively constructing each transition often depends upon your ability to identify words or phrases that will indicate for the reader the kind of logical relationships you want to convey. The table below should make it easier for you to find these words or phrases. Whenever you have trouble finding a word, phrase, or sentence to serve as an effective transition, refer to the information in the table for assistance. Look in the left column of the table for the kind of logical relationship you are trying to express. Then look in the right column of the table for examples of words or phrases that express this logical relationship.

Keep in mind that each of these words or phrases may have a slightly different meaning. Consult a dictionary or writer’s handbook if you are unsure of the exact meaning of a word or phrase.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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what does transition mean in an essay

Understanding Transition Sentences (For Essays and Writing with Examples)

transition sentences

What are transition sentences? And how do they work? Is there a correct way to use them? And an incorrect way? Understanding transition sentences is critical when writing essays, articles, or any type of logical flow.

Learn what transitional sentences are in this short guide…

What are transition sentences?

When you write an article, essay (or anything), you’ll want to write it in a logical sequence. You start with an introduction, highlight your points, and then end with a conclusion. Throughout your writing, you would be using sentences to express your thought. To make your writing effective, you need to link the sentences together in a logical way .

This is where transition sentences can be helpful.

As the name suggests, a transition sentence links the thoughts you are expressing in your writing. They make use of words and phrases that act as a bridge between different parts of your writing.

Transition sentences allow your reader to move smoothly from one section to another. Without transition sentences, your reader might not be able to understand the link between different parts of your writing.

What makes a good transition sentence?

Look at this example:

The CEO was very clear that productivity and efficiency were the two key things he would focus on. However , the legacy systems followed by the company acted as a detriment. Tech modernization was the solution that would enhance productivity and efficiency.

Sentences one and three make sense by themselves. But it is important to establish a relationship between the two. This is what the second sentence does . It acts as a bridge (or transition) between the first and third sentences. By doing so, it helps the writer communicate their ideas more effectively.

A good transition sentence would bring clarity by linking ideas expressed in the sentences before and after it. Words and phrases like ‘however,’ ‘in contrast,’ ‘for instance,’ ‘in fact,’ and ‘therefore’ can get used to help make the transition.  

Transition sentence example

Many transition words are available to use. Choose the appropriate word for the situation.

For example, if you want to show the sequence between two sentences, you can use a word like ‘then’ or ‘after.’ If you want to emphasize a point through the transition, you can use ‘indeed,’ ‘especially,’ or ‘particularly.’

Transition words can be used at the start of the sentence ( e.g. , Surely , you are not going to go now!). It can also be used within the sentence (e.g., I rejected the job offer because the salary was lesser than my present pay ).

Here are a few tips that will help you use transition words correctly:

  • When sentences within a paragraph sound abrupt or awkward, you need to use transition words to link them.
  • Choose the correct transition word that is appropriate to the situation. A wrong selection can make your reader confused.
  • When moving from one idea to another, use a transition word to let the reader know.
  • Don’t make the mistake of overusing transition words. Too many transition words can end up making your writing look messy.

List of words for transition sentences

Some common words used in transition sentences are:

  • Furthermore
  • Nevertheless
  • Specifically

List of phrases for transition sentences

Transition sentences would use both words and phrases as the bridge. A few phrases that are used include:

  • In other words
  • On the contrary
  • As a result
  • In the long run
  • As you can see
  • In the following
  • In the previous
  • Having established
  • Most importantly
  • For example/instance
  • By the time

5 Examples of Transitions (Types of Transitions)

Conjunctive adverbs can be used to establish the logical link between ideas. They can be classified under five heads. It must be noted some words appear in multiple categories.

Of addition

  • Additionally
  • In addition
  • In the same way

The following example will make this clear.

First , put a pan on the stove and heat it. Next , add oil to the pan.

In the above, first and next act as the transition and are adding on to what is being said previously.

Transition sentence example

Of contrast

These words establish a contrast or difference while making the transition.

  • In contrast
  • Even though
  • At any rate
  • In spite of that
  • On the other hand

The island was not the paradise we were hoping for. On the contrary , it was dirty, noisy, and had unmanageable traffic.

The above example brings out a contrast between expectations and reality.

Of comparison

  • By comparison
  • In the same manner

Jonathan is crazy about chess. His daughter is similarly a big fan of the board game.

In this example, the word similarly shows a comparison between father and daughter. You may note the transition word need not be at the start of the sentence. It can be placed anywhere.

These transition words are indicative of a result. It shows the result of the previous sentence/idea.

  • Consequently

Their star player was suffering from a hamstring injury and could not play. Hence , their team faced a humiliating defeat on match day.

The star player’s absence resulted in the team’s defeat. The transition word ‘Hence’ in the example is the bridge between the cause/event and the result.

Transition sentence example

Some transition words show relationships in time. They include:

  • Simultaneously
  • Subsequently

The speaker will be a bit late for the talk. Meanwhile , let’s ask the participants to share their views on the program .

As the speaker will be late, there is time left. So, the participants are asked to share their views and opinions. In this example, ‘Meanwhile’ is a transition word that shows relationship to time.

Subordinating conjunctions and transition sentences

You can use a subordinating conjunction in a sentence to join a dependent clause to an independent clause .

Example: When the postman came, my dog greeted him with a volley of barks.

In this example, the word ‘when’ is the subordinating conjunction that joins ‘the postman came’ and ‘my dog greeted him …’

The subordinating conjunction serves a special purpose here. It acts as a transition between two ideas. The use of the coordinating conjunction provides a logical flow.

Example: He is smarter than you are.

In this example, “than” is the subordinating conjunction that connects ‘He is smarter’ and ‘you are.’ It provides the bridge or transition between the two clauses .

Let’s look at another example to understand this. There are two clauses – ‘The spring arrives’ and ‘my hay fever gets aggravated. A subordinating conjunction can link the two. We can use ‘As’ here. So, the sentence would now read – ‘ As the spring arrives, my hay fever gets aggravated.’

Correlative conjunctions and transition sentences

The correlative conjunction shows a correlation between two words or phrases within a sentence. They play a key role in transition sentences. The use of a correlative conjunction ensures a smooth flow between two sentences or ideas.

Example: My boss totally ignored my work. Neither my hard work nor my punctuality impressed him. So, I decided to move on and look for a new job.

In the above example, sentences one and three are independent and convey the meaning clearly. However, the second sentence acts as a transition explaining why sentence one leads to sentence two.

In the second sentence, we see the use of neither … nor. This combination of words acts as correlative conjunctions in this example.

Some other words that work as correlative conjunctions are:

  • Either … or
  • Neither … nor
  • Whether … or
  • Not only … Also

Whether you want to have dinner or prefer to skip it is entirely left to you.

The above example uses Whether … or as correlative conjunctions in the sentence.

Examples of transition sentences

Examples of transition sentences:

Communicate similarities

To communicate similarities, you can use transitional words like:

Examples of sentences where the transition word communicates similarities:

  • He decided to join the army just as his brother had done five years back.
  • You can fly this plane the same way you flew the trainer jet; there is no real difference.
  • All the employees in the Production department come from the neighboring town . Similarly , the store staff is also from that town.

Express emphasis

Words like ‘especially,’ ‘above all,’ ‘particularly’, ‘indeed,’ in fact,’ and ‘in particular’ can be used to express emphasis. When used in transition sentences, they emphasize the idea express previously.

  • She was overweight. In fact , it won’t be wrong to say she was grossly obese.
  • I liked the blue dress in particular .
  • Indeed , it won’t be wrong to say that her arrogance led to the engagement’s breakup.
  • There is a lot of focus on improving public services, especially education.

Cause and effect

Transition sentences can be very helpful in showing cause and effect or result. The following words can be used for this:

  • Accordingly
  • At that time
  • They spent the entire semester binge-watching shows. Consequently , they failed to obtain pass marks on any of the papers.
  • There are just ten items left in stock. Hence , it would be better if we suspend taking new orders at present.
  • The tests revealed that his blood pressure and cholesterol levels were very high. As a result , the doctor decided that he had to increase the dosage of his medicines.

Position or place can be indicated through the use of transition words like:

  • At the back

Here are some example sentences:

  • Walk towards the bookshelf. Adjacent to the shelf is a table, that’s where you will find the money.
  • The house was located a few yards from the river. Next to the house was the scary-looking tree.
  • You will see the building with the red flag. The storeroom is at the back of this building.

Describe a sequence

Transition words are perfect to use while describing a sequence. The words that can be used are:

  • Followed by
  • First , write down all the numbers in the form of a list. Next , add all the numbers. Finally , write down the total.
  • Initially , three employees were working on the project. Subsequently , the project grew the numbers rise to twenty.
  • The private plane owned by the CEO was the first to land. This was followed by the helicopter containing the crew.

To show examples

Transition words can be used to show examples or illustrate a particular point. Some words to use are:

  • For example
  • For instance
  • Illustrated by
  • As an example
  • In this case
  • On this occasion
  • To illustrate
  • To demonstrate
  • The speaker displayed the blueprint of the equipment on the screen. To illustrat e its working, he showed a video.
  • There are seven tools you can use to solve this problem. As an example , I will talk about the fishbone diagram.
  • Different essential oils can help you feel relaxed. For instance , using lavender oil makes you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

How to use transition sentences between paragraphs

Transition sentences can get used within a paragraph. It also can get used between paragraphs.

This is important since the transition sentence provides a flow between paragraphs . It allows the readers to understand the relationship between the ideas expressed in those two different paragraphs.

When you start writing a paragraph , show a link to the previous paragraph in the first sentence. This establishes a bridge between both paragraphs.

Here’s an example:

There is no doubt that the effects of pollution by industries. This is why activists call for a ban on industries to stop pollution.

Despite the previous argument , we must also think about the economy. Banning industries will bring the economy to a standstill.

This example, ‘despite the previous argument’ is used to transition between the two paragraphs.

In contrast, the first part calls for a ban on industries, and the second discusses the economic effect. Using a transition allows for a smooth flow between the two.

Examples of transition sentences for essays

The use of transitions is very important in essays. An essay is written to convey an idea, opinion, or viewpoint. To ensure its effectiveness, transition sentences are needed at different parts of the essay. Transition sentences are needed between sentences, between sections, and at the conclusion of the essay.

A few examples of this:

  • Having established that a large majority of students have internet access, we can conclude t hat e-learning is a distinct possibility.
  • All the employees have a smartphone. In fact , most of them connect to the company’s Wi-Fi using their phone.

Examples of transition words for concluding sentences

Transition sentences are used throughout a write-up. It is imperative that the conclusion also has a transition. Your write-up needs to end with a summary of what you are trying to say. Or with a call-to-action. Using transition words in the conclusion can help you achieve this.

A few transition words you can consider using are:

  • In conclusion
  • As shown above
  • On the whole
  • Generally speaking
  • To summarize
  • To summarize , sustained use of this medicine offers significant benefits to patients.
  • In summary, democracy has many limitations but no other acceptable alternative.
  • Ultimately , it all boils down to the decision taken by the customer.
  • In short , the best option available is to get funds from a new investor.

Sentence structure

More on sentence structure:

  • Dangling modifier
  • Transition sentences
  • Active voice
  • Passive voice
  • Adverbial clause
  • Parallelism
  • Transition Sentences Tips and Examples for Clear Writing
  • Transitional devices
  • How to Use Transition Sentences for Smoother Writing
  • Transition Words: Examples in Sentences, Paragraphs & Essays

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what does transition mean in an essay

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Transitions

I. what are transitions.

Transitions are words or phrases that tell readers that a new thought, paragraph, or section is coming. They are key ingredients that keep writing clear and organized. Without transitions, writing can be disorganized and confusing.

In paragraphs, transitions move readers from idea to another. In essays and reports, transitions move the reader from one paragraph to another, while other transitions move us from one section to another in the paper. Transitions are like road signs, showing the way to go. They’re also referred to as bridges; connecting ideas.

II. Examples of Transitions

Basic transitions that we learn when first writing are words such as first, second, finally, for example, however, although. These are used within paragraphs to organize thoughts. They move sentences in an organized manner.

The next set of transitions we usually learn are transition sentences. These connect paragraphs. An example would be the following paragraphs. The last sentence in the first paragraph uses the word “goal” to connect the paragraphs; this word is used again in the first sentence of the second paragraph. Combined with “then,” this sentence is the transition sentence, connecting the two paragraphs.

First of all, you need to think about your ultimate goal. Do you want to go into a professional job, or are you interested in academics/research? For most professional careers, a master’s would be sufficient. For those whose goals are in academics and research, you’ll want to go on to the PhD. Then , you need to figure out which school would best help you reach your goal . Get on the web and check out schools in areas you would like to go – if you are looking for help with tuition, also check for schools with graduate assistantships (teaching or research).

III. Types of Transitions

There are three main types of transitions depending on the circumstance. A few examples are listed with each.

a. Transition words

These words connect ideas and thoughts. Generally, they’re used to help make paragraphs flow.

  • Causal – Consequently, Being that, Providing that, As a result of
  • Additive – Indeed, Such as, Furthermore, Furthermore
  • Sequential – Initially, Subsequently, Secondly, As a final point
  • Adversative – However, Nevertheless, Either way, Despite this,

b. Transition sentences

These sentences or phrases will connect one paragraph to another. It’s important to make sure your reader can follow your ideas, so using a repeating phrase from the previous sentence or restating the basic ideas of the paragraph will show how the paragraphs are related.

  • …This is why using a can of air to clean your keyboard is the safest way to get all the debris out from under the keys.

Once you have the keyboard cleaned of all debris , then you can start working on the monitor.

c. Transition paragraphs

Transition paragraphs are when you have a large report with many sections. The reader has to process a lot of information throughout the work, so may get confused. Transition paragraphs would be in between sections, leaving the reader with the most information restated, somewhat like a summary paragraph, except that as it reviews information already stated, it will also preview new information coming up.

IV. The Importance of Transitions

Have you ever had a friend who talked quickly, jumping from one topic to the next? The conversation was probably confusing and tough to follow. This is what writing is like without transitions. It’s difficult to follow the ideas and important points if there are no transitions to connect them.

Transitions are extremely important. Without clues that a new thought or idea is ahead, articles, essays, and reports would be hard to understand. They guide the reader through the steps of the written piece, leading through the ideas. For instance, transitions help make the leap from one thought to another, showing how they are connected.

V. How to Use Transitions

When students are told to put transitions in their papers, they’re often confused and unsure what to do, but it’s not very difficult to use transitions. To see where transitions should go, it might help to start with an outline or web organizer. Organizing your information into groups will let you identify where you should use transitions.

As you put ideas together into paragraphs, you start with the main idea. The supporting details that prove the main idea need to be separated somehow, so that readers know when the writer is moving on to a new detail. These supporting details will have a transition to indicate they are a new concept. The examples that illustrate the supporting details also need transitions to guide the reader. The paragraph below breaks down how to use transitions within a paragraph.

Writing requires organization based on the purpose of the paper you are writing . First , you need to figure out your audience – who will be reading your paper. For example , maybe you want to reach people who smoke. Second , once you know your audience, then you need to decide how to organize your ideas, such as cause and effect or problem and solution. For instance , you need to think about which tactic would be best to get your point across. Finally , once you start writing, figure out what transitions will work best. To be specific , you need to make sure you use transitions that fit the purpose for a cause and effect relationship or problem and solution.

To transition from one paragraph to another, the concluding idea of one can lead to the main idea of the next, or the main idea can refer back to the concluding sentence of the previous paragraph. This sentence is referred to as the transition sentence.

VI. When to Use Transitions

Transitions should be used any time ideas are beginning, changing, advancing, or ending, or if the information needs a more clear connection. They should always be used to help the reader understand how two or more ideas are related.

Transitions should always be used in any kind of academic writing, such as research papers, essays, and reports. Most business letters and writing also need good transitions to ensure information and ideas are being presented clearly. Narrative essays , plays, poems, books, and short stories, etc., may not use transitions in a clear manner, since they are telling a story. The plot events and dialogue will move the story more than the explicit use of transitions.

VII. Examples of Transitions in Pop Culture

One of the newest phenomenon in today’s pop culture is YouTube. You can find videos of your favorite songs (even really really old ones!), movie clips, and videos of normal people posting images from their normal life. Teachers have taken to YouTube to help students learn more about their topic, such as this teacher who made his own rap song about transitions as a parody of Kesha’s song “Tik Tok.”

Tik Tok Transition Song

Songs are like stories, so don’t use a lot of explicit transitions, but the use of a chorus (those words that are repeated throughout the song) act as transition paragraphs to connect verses. This song “Seasons” by Future Islands has a couple transitions: “As it breaks” leads us into summer’s arrival, while the use of “but” transitions into the opposite season, winter.

Future Islands - Seasons - Lyrics on Screen

VIII. Examples of Transitions in Literature

Jane Austen’s books have become popular in the last couple decades, with most of them having been made into movies. “Pride and Prejudice,” which she wrote in 1813, was made into a movie starring Kiera Knightly. People of all ages enjoyed this look at historical romance. Austen uses transitions in her books to help move the story along, just as any writer needs.

With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that his wife’s views on the stranger would be disappointed ; but he soon found out that he had a different story to hear . Oh! My dear Mr. Bennet,” as she entered the room, “we have had a most delightful evening , a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there. Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with her twice!” (Chapter 3).

The use of “soon found out” and a “different story to hear” alert the reader that the next paragraph will change direction to information about the ball. The fact that he hoped she would be disappointed is contrasted with “most delightful evening” and reminds us of his thoughts. The words “as she entered” lets us know that she has just returned. These words are all part of transition sentences, guiding the reader from one scene to another in the story.

IX. Related Terms

Conjunction.

Conjunctions are a type of speech that connect words, sentences, clauses, or phrases to other parts of the sentence. They are also called joiners. Common conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

A bridge is used to connect two roadways. Without a bridge, cars and people may be lost in the river. Just as a bridge connects the roads to keep traffic going, transitions connect ideas and concepts to keep the reader on “the road” as they make their way through articles and other written materials. We also use the term in writing sometimes, when we talk about creating a bridge between ideas.

X. Conclusion

Transitions are helpful and important in good writing. Students get frustrated when teachers write, “Needs transitions,” but with a little review and thought, they can easily be learned. Remember that just as bridges connect roadways, transitions connect thoughts and ideas.

List of Terms

  • Alliteration
  • Amplification
  • Anachronism
  • Anthropomorphism
  • Antonomasia
  • APA Citation
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  • Autobiography
  • Bildungsroman
  • Characterization
  • Circumlocution
  • Cliffhanger
  • Comic Relief
  • Connotation
  • Deus ex machina
  • Deuteragonist
  • Doppelganger
  • Double Entendre
  • Dramatic irony
  • Equivocation
  • Extended Metaphor
  • Figures of Speech
  • Flash-forward
  • Foreshadowing
  • Intertextuality
  • Juxtaposition
  • Literary Device
  • Malapropism
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Parallelism
  • Pathetic Fallacy
  • Personification
  • Point of View
  • Polysyndeton
  • Protagonist
  • Red Herring
  • Rhetorical Device
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Writing Studio

Common transition words and phrases.

In an effort to make our handouts more accessible, we have begun converting our PDF handouts to web pages. Download this page as a PDF: Transitions Return to Writing Studio Handouts

Transitions clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. These tools should alert readers to shifts in your argument while and also maintain the smoothness and clarity of your prose. Below, you’ll find some of the most commonly used transition categories and examples of each. Depending on the example, these suggestions may be within sentences or at the beginning of sentences.

Transitions by Category

1. addition.

Use when presenting multiple ideas that flow in the same direction, under the same heading/ idea also, another, finally, first, first of all, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, last of all, likewise, moreover, next, and, second, the third reason

2. Sequence/ Order

Use to suggest a temporal relationship between ideas; places evidence in sequence first, second (etc.), next, last, finally, first of all, concurrently, immediately, prior to, then, at that time, at this point, previously, subsequently, and then, at this time, thereafter, previously, soon, before, after, followed by, after that, next, before, after, meanwhile, formerly, finally, during

3. Contrast

Use to demonstrate differences between ideas or change in argument direction but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, yet, differ, difference, balanced against, differing from, variation, still, on the contrary, unlike, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand, however

4. Exception

Use to introduce an opposing idea however, whereas, on the other hand, while, instead, in spite of, yet, despite, still, nevertheless, even though, in contrast, but, but one could also say…

5. Comparison

Use to demonstrate similarities between ideas that may not be under the same subject heading or within the same paragraph like, likewise, just, in a different way / sense, whereas, like, equally, in like manner, by comparison, similar to, in the same way, alike, similarity, similarly, just as, as in a similar fashion, conversely

6. Illustration

Use to develop or clarify an idea, to introduce examples, or to show that the second idea is subordinate to the first for example, to illustrate, on this occasion, this can be seen, in this case, specifically, once, to illustrate, when/where, for instance, such as, to demonstrate, take the case of, in this case

7. Location

Use to show spatial relations next to, above, below, beneath, left, right, behind, in front, on top, within

8. Cause and Effect

Use to show that one idea causes, or results from, the idea that follows or precedes it because, therefore, so that, cause, reason, effect, thus, consequently, since, as a result, if…then, result in

9. Emphasis

Use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable, the chief outcome, a vital force, especially relevant, most noteworthy, the principal item, above all, should be noted

10. Summary or Conclusion

Use to signal that what follows is summarizing or concluding the previous ideas; in humanities papers, use these phrases sparingly. to summarize, in short, in brief, in sum, in summary, to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude, finally

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .” 

Writing Effective Sentence Transitions (Advanced)

Transitions are the rhetorical tools that clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. The ability to integrate sentence transitions into your prose, rather than simply throwing in overt transition signals like “in addition,” indicates your mastery of the material. (Note: The visibility of transitions may vary by discipline; consult with your professor to get a better sense of discipline or assignment specific expectations.)

Transition Signals

Transition signals are words or phrases that indicate the logic connecting sets of information or ideas. Signals like therefore, on the other hand, for example, because, then, and afterwards can be good transition tools at the sentence and paragraph level. When using these signals, be conscious of the real meaning of these terms; they should reflect the actual relationship between ideas.

Review Words

Review words are transition tools that link groups of sentences or whole paragraphs. They condense preceding discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just completed a detailed discussion about the greenhouse effect. To transition to the next topic, you could use review words like “this heat-trapping process” to refer back to the green house effect discussion. The relative ability to determine a cogent set of review words might signal your own understanding of your work; think of review words as super-short summaries of key ideas.

Preview words

Preview words condense an upcoming discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just explained how heat is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Transitioning to the theory that humans are adding to that effect, you could use preview words like “sources of additional CO2 in the atmosphere include” to point forward to that discussion.

Transition Sentences

The strongest and most sophisticated tools, transition sentences indicate the connection between the preceding and upcoming pieces of your argument. They often contain one or more of the above transition tools. For example: You’ve just discussed how much CO2 humans have added to the atmosphere. You need to transition to a discussion of the effects. A strong set of transition sentences between the two sections might sound like this:

“These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere may lead to a number of disastrous consequences for residents of planet earth. The rise in global temperature that accompanies the extra CO2 can yield effects as varied as glacial melting and species extinction.”

In the first sentence, the review words are “These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere”; the preview words are “number of disastrous consequences”; the transition signals are “may lead to.” The topic sentence of the next paragraph indicates the specific “disastrous consequences” you will discuss.

If you don’t see a way to write a logical, effective transition between sentences, ideas or paragraphs, this might indicate organizational problems in your essay; you might consider revising your work.

Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program  and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .”

Last revised: 07/2008 | Adapted for web delivery: 05/2021

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Definition and Examples of a Transition in Composition

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  • An Introduction to Punctuation
  • Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
  • M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
  • B.A., English, State University of New York

In English grammar, a transition is a connection (a word, phrase, clause, sentence, or entire paragraph ) between two parts of a piece of writing, contributing to cohesion .

Transitional devices include pronouns , repetition , and transitional expressions , all of which are illustrated below.

Pronunciation: trans-ZISH-en

Etymology From the Latin, "to go across"

Examples and Observations

Example:  At first  a toy,  then  a mode of transportation for the rich, the automobile was designed as man's mechanical servant.  Later  it became part of the pattern of living.

Here are some examples and insights from other writers:

  • "A transition should be short, direct, and almost invisible." Gary Provost, Beyond Style: Mastering the Finer Points of Writing . Writer's Digest Books, 1988)
  • "A transition is anything that links one sentence—or paragraph—to another. Nearly every sentence, therefore, is transitional. (In that sentence, for example, the linking or transitional words are sentence, therefore, and transitional .) Coherent writing , I suggest, is a constant process of transitioning." (Bill Stott, Write to the Point: And Feel Better About Your Writing , 2nd ed. Columbia University Press, 1991)

Repetition and Transitions 

In this example, transitions are repeated in the prose:

  • "The way I write is who I am, or have become, yet this is a case in which I wish I had instead of words and their rhythms a cutting room, equipped with an Avid, a digital editing system on which I could touch a key and collapse the sequence of time, show you simultaneously all the frames of memory that come to me now, let you pick the takes, the marginally different expressions, the variant readings of the same lines. This is a case in which I need more than words to find the meaning. This is a case in which I need whatever it is I think or believe to be penetrable, if only for myself." (Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking , 2006)

Pronouns and Repeated Sentence Structures

  • "Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it. We anticipate (we know) that someone close to us could die, but we do not look beyond the few days or weeks that immediately follow such an imagined death. We misconstrue the nature of even those few days or weeks. We might expect if the death is sudden to feel shock. We do not expect this shock to be obliterative, dislocating to both body and mind. We might expect that we will be prostrate, inconsolable, crazy with loss. We do not expect to be literally crazy, cool customers who believe that their husband is about to return." (Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking , 2006)
  • "When you find yourself having difficulty moving from one section of an article to the next, the problem might be due to the fact that you are leaving out information. Rather than trying to force an awkward transition , take another look at what you have written and ask yourself what you need to explain in order to move on to your next section." (Gary Provost, 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing . Mentor, 1972)

Tips on Using Transitions

  • "After you have developed your essay into something like its final shape, you will want to pay careful attention to your transitions . Moving from paragraph to paragraph, from idea to idea, you will want to use transitions that are very clear—you should leave no doubt in your reader's mind how you are getting from one idea to another. Yet your transitions should not be hard and monotonous: though your essay will be so well-organized you may easily use such indications of transitions as 'one,' 'two,' 'three' or 'first,' 'second,' and 'third,' such words have the connotation of the scholarly or technical article and are usually to be avoided, or at least supplemented or varied, in the formal composition . Use 'one,' 'two,' 'first,' 'second,' if you wish, in certain areas of your essay, but also manage to use prepositional phrases and conjunctive adverbs and subordinate clauses and brief transitional paragraphs to achieve your momentum and continuity. Clarity and variety together are what you want." (Winston Weathers and Otis Winchester, The New Strategy of Style . McGraw-Hill, 1978)

Space Breaks as Transitions

  • " Transitions are usually not that interesting. I use space breaks instead, and a lot of them. A space break makes a clean segue whereas some segues you try to write sound convenient, contrived. The white space sets off, underscores, the writing presented, and you have to be sure it deserves to be highlighted this way. If used honestly and not as a gimmick, these spaces can signify the way the mind really works, noting moments and assembling them in such a way that a kind of logic or pattern comes forward, until the accretion of moments forms a whole experience, observation, state of being. The connective tissue of a story is often the white space, which is not empty. There’s nothing new here, but what you don’t say can be as important as what you do say." (Amy Hempel, interviewed by Paul Winner. The Paris Review , Summer 2003)
  • Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
  • Paragraph Transition: Definition and Examples
  • Meaning of Tense Shift in Verbs
  • Complete List of Transition Words
  • Development in Composition: Building an Essay
  • Definition and Examples of Transitional Paragraphs
  • 6 Steps to Writing the Perfect Personal Essay
  • Definition and Examples of Spacing in Composition
  • Understanding Organization in Composition and Speech
  • Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition
  • Paragraph Length in Compositions and Reports
  • How to Use Repetition to Develop Effective Paragraphs
  • Definition and Examples of Paragraphing in Essays
  • Definition and Examples of Paragraph Breaks in Prose
  • How to Write and Format an MBA Essay
  • Conclusion in Compositions

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COMMENTS

  1. Transition Sentences | Tips & Examples for Clear Writing

    Clear transitions are crucial to clear writing: They show the reader how different parts of your essay, paper, or thesis are connected. Transition sentences can be used to structure your text and link together paragraphs or sections. Example of a transition sentence for a new paragraph. In this case, the researchers concluded that the method ...

  2. Transitions | Harvard College Writing Center

    Transitions. Transitions help your readers move between ideas within a paragraph, between paragraphs, or between sections of your argument. When you are deciding how to transition from one idea to the next, your goal should be to help readers see how your ideas are connected—and how those ideas connect to the big picture.

  3. What is a Transition? Definition, Examples of Transitions in ...

    Transitions are important in literature in order to help the reader understand the writing. They allow for the story to flow from one thought to the next allowing for the reader to build upon the ideas without having to think too hard in order to put them together. Without effective transitions, writing may become ineffective and confusing.

  4. Transitions – The Writing Center • University of North ...

    A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places. Transitions within paragraphs: As with transitions between sections and paragraphs, transitions within paragraphs act ...

  5. Understanding Transition Sentences (For Essays and Writing ...

    A good transition sentence would bring clarity by linking ideas expressed in the sentences before and after it. Words and phrases like ‘however,’ ‘in contrast,’ ‘for instance,’ ‘in fact,’ and ‘therefore’ can get used to help make the transition. Transition sentence example. Many transition words are available to use.

  6. Transitions | Literary Terms

    Transitions are words or phrases that tell readers that a new thought, paragraph, or section is coming. They are key ingredients that keep writing clear and organized. Without transitions, writing can be disorganized and confusing. In paragraphs, transitions move readers from idea to another. In essays and reports, transitions move the reader ...

  7. Transition | Definition and Useful Examples of ... - 7ESL

    A transition will normally be found at the start of a paragraph and they give the writer the ability to convey their thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner. The transition will allow the writer to create a piece of text which flows and all the ideas are connected to one another. A normal piece of writing will usually be made up of two ...

  8. Common Transition Words and Phrases | The Writing Studio ...

    Common Transition Words and Phrases. ... 9. Emphasis. Use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable ...

  9. Definition and Examples of a Transition in Composition

    Definition and Examples of a Transition in Composition. A transition is a bridge between two sentences or paragraphs. In English grammar, a transition is a connection (a word, phrase, clause, sentence, or entire paragraph) between two parts of a piece of writing, contributing to cohesion . Transitional devices include pronouns, repetition, and ...