How to Use Transition Words for Essays: Main Rules for Your Writing
Whenever you write an essay or any other college paper, you have to care about the language. Writing in an academic style is a mandatory requirement. This style ensures reaching the main goal to expose the information most concisely. Logical connections and excellent structure are necessary elements too. That's why transition words for essays are essential – they are the means to link your sentences into a meaningful text. Moreover, they mark more and less important points, define the ideas sequences, and identify relations of different concepts in one paragraph.
When your goal is to convey information and explain your way of thinking to the readers, you must be logical and persuasive. Transition words for essays won’t only help you to expose the information – they tell the audience how they should treat it.
Why Are the Transition Words for Essays Crucial?
If you write college essays, you know about the importance of structuring the information. It happens very often that works with good informational contents get lower grades because of the exposition. And even more frequently, it takes place because of lacking transition words for essays.
The most typical troubles caused by transition words lack or misuse:
- The essay is choppy and requires appropriate relations between its parts;
- The central “plotline” of the text is difficult to follow;
- The order of elements is inappropriate – your thoughts jump between the ideas;
- The article is a compilation of separate pieces that tend to break up.
In many cases, the clarity of the text depends on the way you work with transition words.
All guides on writing papers stress the importance of relationships between parts. You remember that the thesis statement should be the cornerstone of the text, and all significant elements must relate to it. Also, all these elements must be in strict order and connected by transition words.
You can show these connections even without transition words, but they won’t be as efficient as needed. Besides, the absence of these “links” often leads to the incorrect perception of the text.
e.g., Let's refer to the "The Hollywood Economist 2.0" book. It is one of the most important studies about the financial flows of the leading Hollywood studios. The information is slightly obsolete – the book was published in 2012. It did not cover the streaming services' rise.
The transitions-less version of the text is too dry and does nothing for a proper exposition of the topic. The version with the transition words would be as follows:
e.g., Let's refer to the "The Hollywood Economist 2.0" book. It is one of the most important studies about the financial flows of the leading Hollywood studios. However, the information is slightly obsolete – the book was published in 2012. For instance, it did not cover the streaming services' rise.
As you see, the first text version is a statement of the facts. The second version uses transition words to help the readers to judge the reliability of the source. The term "however" suggests that the book, despite being a trustworthy study, has its drawbacks. The transition "for instance" highlights one of those issues.
Types of Transition Words by Usage
Grammatically, transition words for essays are various. In most cases, when we deal with this section of grammar, we mean particular transition words and combinations with definite meanings. They serve to express different shades of relationships between other text elements. However, you should note that any word, phrase, or an entire sentence can work as a kind of transition words when it is necessary for the text.
Still, speaking of the usage, we can define the following criteria:
- By the location in the text.
- By the goal to explain the meaning.
As for the location in the text, there are three types of transition words:
- Transition words and phrases in paragraphs. In most cases, these are single words and short phrases that glue the sentences in one paragraph into one whole. In an essay, every paragraph should focus on one idea to present and prove it. It has its opening, arguments, evidence, and mini-conclusion. In-paragraph transition words ensure the coherence of the text and proper exploration of the idea.
- Transition words and phrases between paragraphs. Working on an essay, you arrange sections in the right order to support the thesis statement and illustrate your findings. Each preceding paragraph should support the next one logically, and you have to ensure that all these elements are directly connected. Good transition words between paragraphs make these relationships bright and evident. When you put the transition at the end of a preceding fragment, it should indicate the summary of the whole piece and suggest the next idea.
- Transition words and phrases between sections. In an essay, these transition words for essays serve to unite the Introduction, the Body, and the Conclusion parts together. They help to explain how the Introduction part relates to your findings in the Body. Then, you need to summarize the Body to help the audience to proceed to the Conclusions.
It is a functional classification of transition words for essays. You should consider it when you have outlined your paper or composed a draft. Pay attention to the links between the essential elements, whether they are present and helpful. Good transition words will make them more noticeable.
Another classification is by meaning.
Types of Transition Words and Phrases by Meaning
As we have already noted, all transition words serve to clarify relationships between the elements. These relationships are different, and you should choose the most suitable one for each case.
Here you have the most comprehensive list of the types of transition words and phrases for essays according to their goals to show meaning:
- to show addition
- to show contrast
- to compare
- to give examples
- to prove relationships in space
- to show connections in time
- to indicate the logical sequence
- to show condition
- to express an opinion
- to summarize or conclude
Each of these types covers many samples of transition words used more frequently or rarer in any essay. We did our best to compile all examples for each category. This way, you can choose the right transition to make your essay more vivid and original.
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Table of Transition Words and Phrases According to Meaning
| Meaning | Transition words | Examples | ||
| Addition | coupled with | again | additionally | In like manner, it is crucial to involve older students in scientific research programs. It will be a tough challenge for the university, to say nothing of the severe economic losses. |
| first, second, third | also | as well as | ||
| in addition | by the same token | furthermore | ||
| in like manner | equally important | moreover | ||
| in the first place | in the light of | of course | ||
| in the same fashion/way | not to mention | then | ||
| not only ... but also | to say nothing of | together with | ||
| Contrast | above all | (and) still | conversely | Although this may be true, there is already persuasive evidence suggesting more than one alternative explanation. Of course, the point of view is valid and supported by the current knowledge, but we should think of different results as well. |
| although this may be true | (and) yet | despite | ||
| at the same time | after all | however | ||
| be that as it may | albeit | instead | ||
| different from | although | nevertheless | ||
| even so / though | as much as | nonetheless | ||
| in contrast | besides | notwithstanding | ||
| in spite of | even though | otherwise | ||
| of course ..., but | in reality | rather | ||
| on the contrary | unlike | regardless | ||
| on the other hand | while | whereas | ||
| then again | ||||
| Comparison | by comparison | identically | likewise | By comparison, Suleiman the Magnificent broke the traditions by marrying a woman from his harem In the same manner, Batu Khan has conquered the rest of the lands. |
| comparatively | in the same manner | next | ||
| correspondingly | in the same way | similarly | ||
| equally | like | uniquely | ||
| Example | another key point | as a matter of fact | expressly | Another key point in this study is dedicated to the relationships between the Mitra cult and early Christianity. One more point often overlooked is the lack of the Triumph for Marcus Licinius Crassus after defeating Spartacus. |
| as an illustration | certainly | for example | ||
| by all means | chiefly | for instance | ||
| first thing to remember | especially | frequently | ||
| for one thing | explicitly | in detail | ||
| for this reason | including | in fact | ||
| important to realize | indeed | in general | ||
| in other words | like | in particular | ||
| in this case | markedly | particularly | ||
| most compelling evidence | namely | significantly | ||
| must be remembered | notably | to clarify | ||
| on the positive side | on the negative side | to demonstrate | ||
| that is to say | such as | to emphasize | ||
| to point out | surely | to enumerate | ||
| to put it another way | to be sure | to explain | ||
| to put it differently | truly | to repeat | ||
| with attention to | with this in mind | |||
| Space | adjacent to | above | across | In the background, they had a negative experience of the war as the only way out. Here and there, we find the cultural influence of ancient civilizations. |
| here | below | alongside | ||
| here and there | beyond | amid | ||
| in front of | down | among | ||
| in the background | from | around | ||
| in the center of | further | before | ||
| in the distance | near | behind | ||
| in the foreground | next | beneath | ||
| in the middle | over | beside | ||
| on this side | under | between | ||
| opposite to | up | nearby | ||
| there | where | wherever | ||
| to the left/right | ||||
| Time | at the present time | finally | shortly | At the present time, quantum physics remains the most complicated section. Meanwhile, the results of the experiments supported our point of view. |
| all of a sudden | about | by the time | ||
| as long as | after | during | ||
| as soon as | before | eventually | ||
| at the same time | formerly | forthwith | ||
| at this instant | hence | further | ||
| first, second | last | henceforth | ||
| from time to time | later | in time | ||
| immediately | next | instantly | ||
| in a moment | now | meanwhile | ||
| in due time | once | now that | ||
| in the first place | since | occasionally | ||
| in the meantime | since | presently | ||
| quickly | suddenly | prior to | ||
| sooner or later | then | straightaway | ||
| to begin with | till | until now | ||
| up to the present time | until | whenever | ||
| without delay | when | whenever | ||
| Consequence | as a result | because the | accordingly | Under those circumstances, it would be silly to borrow money. As a result, Plato's ideal city is a metaphor for the human soul. |
| for this reason | consequently | forthwith | ||
| in effect | hence | henceforth | ||
| in that case | then | therefore | ||
| under those circumstances | thus | thereupon | ||
| Condition | as / so long as | as | due to | With this in mind, we proceed to the next argument. Inasmuch as we see the growing powers of social media, we consider their negative influence on society. |
| for fear that | because of | given that | ||
| for the purpose of | If ... then | in case | ||
| granted (that) | in view of | inasmuch as | ||
| in order to | seeing / being that | lest | ||
| in the event that | since | only / even if | ||
| in the hope that | unless | owing to | ||
| on (the) condition (that) | when | provided that | ||
| to the end that | whenever | so as to | ||
| with this in mind | while | so that | ||
| with this intention | ||||
| Opinion | actually | certainly | undoubtedly | Unfortunately, all his effort was fruitless. Apparently, the evidence was not persuasive enough. |
| apparently | of course | unfortunately | ||
| Summary or conclusion | all things considered | after all | overall | In the final analysis, let’s again review the central ideas that the research highlighted. In either case, one results contradicting the theory can't serve as its ultimate disproving. |
| as can be seen | altogether | ordinarily | ||
| as has been noted | in brief | all in all | ||
| as shown above | in conclusion | by and large | ||
| for the most part | in essence | in any event | ||
| generally speaking | in fact | in either case | ||
| given these points | in short | on the whole | ||
| in a word | in summary | to sum up | ||
| in the final analysis | on balance | usually | ||
| in the long run | to summarize | |||
How to Improve Usage of the Transition Words in a Text
Usage of transition words can’t replace the proper structure of the written paper – you develop it with all means you have.
The structure rests on the meanings of all elements and your logical conclusions from the facts. At the same time, transition words and phrases make the structure leaner and more evident. It is an excellent means, so you should master it.
Of course, you already have the skills to use these transition words. They are present in our speech and in all texts you read. The question is which transition words you should use and when.
As you see from the table above, each category of meaning includes many examples – a couple of dozens of words and phrases. Some of them are banal. Besides, there are shades of meaning in different transition words for essays. The more of them you know and understand the peculiarities – the better vocabulary you get, and the broader choice of language means you possess.
e.g., The Punic Wars with Carthage were that factor making Rome the world-dominating state. Rome destroyed the city of Carthage, its strong rival. This victory gave Rome dominance in the Mediterranean area. Rome has conquered all lands of that region. Its powers extended to Arabia and North Africa.
e.g., The Punic Wars with Carthage were that factor making Rome the world-dominating state. First, Rome destroyed the city of Carthage, its strong rival. As a result, this victory gave Rome dominance in the Mediterranean area. Overall, Rome has conquered all lands of that region. Further, its powers extended to Arabia and North Africa.
To master the skill of using transition words for essays, you need to do such exercises regularly.
Learn the Transition Words and Their Meanings
This recommendation seems obvious, but it often causes problems for even native speakers. Some transition words for essays come by default, and people use them automatically. There can be variants like “but,” “thus,” “still,” "after all," "also," and so on. Instead, you should use words from the same category but less frequently used.
e.g., We aren't close friends; still, I will help you. – We aren't close friends; nevertheless, I will help you.
Note that you need to understand the meaning of all such phrases if you need good transition words. It is not enough to know them in general, as transition words for essays have nuances. They can express different shades depending on the context, and you have to consider that.
Train Your Skills of Identifying the Relationships Between Your Ideas
Practice makes perfection – this statement is true for all kinds of human activities. Analyze someone else's essays and research papers of high quality. Further, define how their authors connect the sections with transition words. When you write your essay – work the same relations out.
- Define the meaningful fragments of the written paper before you proceed to the transition words;
- Check how they depend on each other in logical consequence;
- Relate the elements to the thesis statement and ensure they have direct connections;
- Summarize each paragraph and put these summaries in a list;
- Assign transition words and phrases to them to highlight the logical structure;
- Use more nuanced transition words for essays to check how it influences the structure;
- Learn from other authors and examine how they use transition words for essays.
Practice Correct Usage of Transition Words in Context
This aspect is crucial when you deal with good transition words. Unlike those words with more general meaning that match each context, rare and nuanced transition words can be tricky. In many cases, people misuse them. It might be a trifle in a talk with friends, but it will be a big problem in an essay. Each detail matters in a college paper, so you have to polish the work to get the desired grade.
The wrong usage of transition words for essays will be a marker of a limited vocabulary and weaker speech and writing skills. To avoid such issues, you have to learn contexts in addition to the transition words themselves:
- Read books and journals of different genres and note the good transition words there;
- Pay special attention to the more sophisticated transition words and phrases and use thesauruses to detect their meanings;
- Analyze the contexts requiring nuances and apply the transition words.
Also, you have to practice using such words properly:
- Take several simple sentences and connect them with good transition words;
- Use the ready sentences with more general transition words, and replace those shorter and simpler words with more sophisticated ones. Analyze the effects;
- Experiment with different transition words for essays from the table above and check how they influence the meaning of the sentences;
- Learn the “sound” of the phrase – it is essential to have the correct rhyme. When you have several variants matching the meaning, listen to the way your sentence will “sound” in the written paper.
Practical Tips on What to Do and What not to Do with Transition Words for Essays
Do:
- Do regular exercises on using transition words for essays.
- When you want to put some simple variants, spend a couple of moments, and consider alternatives.
- Use only one transition to introduce a new idea, and separate it with a comma.
- Connect several ideas to demonstrate their logical sequences.
- Always proofread essays after a break. Check the transition words for essays and ensure that you use them in the right context.
Don’t:
- Avoid several transition words in a raw. In some cases, it is natural, but it often makes it more challenging to follow your ideas. Instead, choose one to highlight the central idea.
- Don't try to include such phrases in each sentence. You need to balance them all. Introduce the transition words and phrases where you want to stress the meaning and help the readers to understand your approach.
- Never use “vague” transition words for essays. If there is a chance of the wrong usage – double-check their meanings. Also, it is better to look for an example of using such phrases in the context.
Now, apply the good transition words and make the text more focused and comprehensive.
At the same time, we know you might need more assistance with the transition words in your work. Or, if you need to get the essay edited and proofread, or written from scratch, this is also the right place to address. Let us know that you need help, and we’ll support you!