Transitional Words and Phrases

The following came from Study Guides and Strategies, a great website designed to help you succeed as a student. 

Using transitional words and phrases
helps papers read more smoothly, and at the same time allows the reader to flow more smoothly from one point to the next.

Transitions enhance logical organization and understandability
and improve the connections between thoughts. They indicate relations,
whether within a sentence, paragraph, or paper.

This list illustrates categories of "relationships" between ideas,followed by words and phrases that can make the connections:

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

When there is a trusting relationship coupled with positive reinforcement, the partners will be able to overcome difficult situations.

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

Highway traffic came to a stop as a result of an accident that morning.

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

The children were very happy. On the other hand, and perhaps more importantly, their parents were very proactive in providing good care.

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

She scanned the horizon for any sign though in the distance she could not see the surprise coming her way.

Diversion:
by the way, incidentally

He stumbled upon the nesting pair incidentally found only on this hill.

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

The Quakers gathered each month with attention to deciding the business of their Meeting.

Exception:
aside from, barring, beside, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of, save

Consensus was arrived at by all of the members exclusive of those who could not vote.

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

Some friends and I drove up the beautiful coast chiefly to avoid the heat island of the city.

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

There were a few very talented artists in the class, but for the most part the students only wanted to avoid the alternative course.

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

The chapter provided complex sequences and examples illustrated with a very simple schematic diagram.

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

The research was presented in a very dry style though was coupled with examples that made the audience tear up.

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

In their advertising business, saying things directly was not the rule. That is to say, they tried to convey the message subtly though with creativity.

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,

The music had a very retro sound but at the same time incorporated a complex modern rhythm.

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

She didn't seem willing to sell the car this week, but in any case I don't get paid until the end of the month.

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.