Help with Transitions

Transitions can seem artificial and awkward when you first start working with them. However, as you build up your vocabulary of transitions, you will find them coming more naturally into your writing.

When revising, “whenever you notice that sentences do not flow smoothly in your draft, add appropriate transitional words and phrases. Look particularly at the links between paragraphs. Insert transitions to help the reader follow the flow of the text. Words or phrases such as however, one the one hand/on the other hand, but, and in addition can help the reader see the relationships between ideas. Add these words to your text to appropriate places. If you are using one transitional word too frequently, check the thesaurus in your word processing program for alternatives,” or see the list I have provided below. [From The New Century Handbook, 92]

Use transitions between paragraphs, as well as between different parts of the paragraph in which you are doing different things. Below is an example of in-paragraph transitioning:

“In many cultures, if not all, touching between adults can indicate sexuality; however, the conditions under which it does vary greatly. For instance, in the United States, men do not walk around holding each others’ hands, unless one is blind or otherwise infirm and the other appears to be helping him get around. Otherwise this is seen as a strong indication of homosexuality. This is true of female pairs as well. Yet, in some countries, such as Egypt or at least some in Latin America, same-sex hand-holding or arms around the waist or shoulder indicated solidarity only. In those countries, typically, one wouldn’t touch a decent woman in public” [from New Century Handbook, 127-28].

Look at how one idea leads to the next. Once you have determined the relationship between the two ideas, use one of the following (of course, there are others as well) to indicate that relationship and transition between the two ideas. Make sure to use a variety of these within the paper to vary sentence structure and style. They can be used in the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence.

• However, he does use fallacies throughout the speech. 
• He does, however, use fallacies throughout the speech. 
• He does use fallacies throughout the speech, however.