Transition Words and Phrases

Transition words give a paragraph coherencethey connect all the details in a way that makes sense to the reader. Remember the acronym SLIC, and use transition words to group the details in some kind of order that makes sense: spatial order, logical order, order of importance, or chronological order.

Spatial order: Presents details according to their location in space

above across adjacent to among around at that point before behind below beneath beside beyond by down here in in the back in the front inside into near nearby next to on the other side opposite to over side there under

Logical order: Groups related details together

To compare: additionally again also and and then another at the same time last besides comparable compared to To contrast: alternatively although and yet but but another converse conversely despite even so equally important finally for example for instance for one thing further furthermore illustrated by in addition to in general in particular in the same way for all that however in contrast instead neither nor nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding on the contrary on the other hand like likewise just as so too moreover next other shown in similar similarly specifically that is too or otherwise rather still though whereas yet

Order of importance: Arranges details from the least to most important, or the reverse
first, second, third importantly last mainly more importantly next then to begin with

To emphasize or summarize: after all anyway assuredly at least by the way certainly clearly definitely for all that

generally in brief in general in other words in short in sum incidentally indeed it appears

it seems of course on the whole remarkably to be sure without doubt

Chronological order: Presents details in the order in which they occur

To show time: after afterward at last at length at once at that time before currently earlier eventually To show cause and effect: accordingly affected by and so as a result because because of caused by consequently finally first, second, third immediately in the meantime in the past in the future later meanwhile next now presently previously recently shortly soon subsequently then thereafter today tomorrow while when

for for the purpose of for this reason had the effect of hence in consequence leads to/led to resulted in

since so so that then therefore thereupon thus to that end