Essay Writing – Transition words.

Transition words are very important in your essays. These words show the relationships between your written expression of your ideas. This can be in an essay, a paragraph or even a sentence. Transition words underline the logical organization of what you have written and therefore make it easier for the reader to follow your argument, discussion or narrative. Transition words give your writing coherence.There are many lists of transition words organized in different ways. Two of these lists are reproduced below.

Addition

also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly

Consequence

accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose, hence, otherwise, so then, subsequently, therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore

Generalizing

as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally, generally speaking, ordinarily, usually

Exemplifying

chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular, markedly, namely, particularly,  including, specifically, such as

Illustration

for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration, illustrated with, as an example, in this case

Emphasis

above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly, singularly

Similarity

comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically, likewise, similar, moreover, together with

Exception

aside from, barring, besides, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of, save

Restatement

in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in short, in brief, to put it differently

Contrast and Comparison

contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise, on one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary, rather, similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in contrast

Sequence

at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time, for now, for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on, meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind,

Summarizing

after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by and large, in any case, in any event, in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short, in summary, in the final analysis, in the long run, on balance, to sum up, to summarize, finally

Diversion

by the way, incidentally

Direction

here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under, above, to the left, to the right, in the distance

For continuing a common line of reasoning:

consequently, clearly, then, furthermore, additionally, and, in addition, moreover, because, besides that, in the same way, following this further, also, pursuing this further, in the light of the... it is easy to see that

To change the line of reasoning

however, on the other hand, but, yet, nevertheless, on the contrary

For opening a paragraph initially or for general use:

admittedly, assuredly, certainly, granted, no doubt, nobody denies, obviously, of course, to be sure, true, undoubtedly, unquestionably, generally speaking, in general, at this level, in this situation

For the final points of a paragraph or essay:

finally, lastly

Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a paragraph which is arranged chronologically:

first... second... third... generally... furthermore... finally in the first place... also... lastly in the first place... pursuing this further... finally to be sure... additionally... lastly in the first place... just in the same way... finally basically... similarly... as well

To signal conclusion:

therefore, this, hence, in the final analysis, in conclusion, in final consideration, indeed

To restate a point within a paragraph in another or more exacting way:

in other words, point in fact, specifically