I.

Transitions Words
Competency Check C1.P2.CR4 #6: Module 26
The following examples provide a paragraph without transitions, followed by a revised paragraph that
contains them:1

● Example #1: Students who write academic essays need to provide effective transitions.
Transitions allow writers to connect the main ideas that are present in an essay. Using
conjunctive adverbs and other introductory elements allow a writer to connect one sentence to
the next. The use of these words will make the writing more fluent and less choppy. Many
students fail to use effective transitions, and the essay comes across as disconnected. Writers
should always be aware of the need to connect both sentences and paragraphs together.

Notice how the paragraph above contains valuable information about the use of transitions, but the
sentences seem disconnected. It reads as if there are several ideas that are simply thrown together. Now
read the paragraph below and see how using a few minor transitions allows the sentences and the
information in them to be more connected (the transitions that have been added are in bold):

● Revised Example #1: Students who write academic essays need to provide effective transitions.
It is the use of these transitions that allow writers to connect the main ideas that are present in
an essay. For example, by using conjunctive adverbs and other introductory elements, a writer
can easily connect one sentence to the next. Moreover, the use of these words will make the
writing more fluent and less choppy. Unfortunately, students often fail to use effective
transitions, and, as a result, the essay comes across as disconnected. To avoid this, writers
should always be aware of the need to connect both sentences and paragraphs together, and they
should strive to find creative ways to do so.

II. Transition Words Categorized

1 Taken from: http://www.aims.edu/student/online-writing-lab/tools/transitions

Created by: A. Jagusztyn, Fall 2016. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

1
The following is a categorized list of transitional words that can be used, depending on the type of
transition that is needed:

To Add: additionally, in addition, again, besides, moreover, what’s more, equally important (also
important), finally, further, furthermore, first (second, third, etc.) next, lastly
To Repeat: as mentioned, as has been noted, in brief
To Show Exception: however, nevertheless, in spite of, yet, still, despite, of course, once in a while,
sometimes, unfortunately
To Compare: however, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, whereas, but, yet, nevertheless, by
comparison, compared to, conversely, up against, balanced against, but, although, meanwhile, after all,
while this may be true
To Emphasize: indeed, certainly, in any case, without a doubt, obviously, definitely, extremely, in fact,
absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, emphatically, unquestionably , undeniably, without
reservation, always, never
To Prove: furthermore, moreover, in example, in fact, indeed, because, for, since, for the same reason,
for this reason, obviously, evidently, besides, in addition, in any case
To Give an Example: for example, for instance, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, in another
case, take the case of, on this occasion, in this situation
To Show Sequence: as a result, subsequently, consequently, concurrently, following this, now, at this
point, afterward, simultaneously, thus, hence, therefore, first (second, third, etc.)
To Show Time: immediately, thereafter, then, soon after, next, and then, finally, later, previously,
formerly, first (second, third, etc.), to begin with, when
To Summarize or Conclude: In conclusion, as demonstrated, to conclude, summing up, in brief, as a
result, therefore, accordingly, consequently, hence, on the whole

III. Transition Words Activity

Created by: A. Jagusztyn, Fall 2016. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

2
The following examples provide a paragraph without transitions. Read the paragraph and consider where
transitions could be added and which transitions would work the best.
2
A short background of the character Mma Ramotswe is helpful as a start. To begin with Mma
Ramotswe is a middle-aged woman living in the capital of Botswana. When we meet Mma
Ramotswe at the beginning of the story, she has behind her an unhappy marriage and the loss of
a baby. Moreover, Her father recently passed away and it is with the help of the capital that he
left behind that she can start her own business: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. She has a
good friend in Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, who later asks to marry her. In the novel we follow her
progress in life and in business. Mma Ramotswe’s character has received a lot of attention;
mostly in the shape of book reviews but also in academic publications. There is very little
negative criticism to be found.

2 Excerpt on Mma Ramotswe taken and modified from: Zamorano llena (2008) http://du.diva-
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:518689/FULLTEXT01.pdf

Created by: A. Jagusztyn, Fall 2016. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

3
 References

Retrieved from: http://www.aims.edu/student/online-writing-lab/tools/transitions

Zamorano Llena, C. (2008). The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Sexist Opinions as Part of an
Appealing Character. Retrieved from: http://du.diva-
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:518689/FULLTEXT01.pdf

Created by: A. Jagusztyn, Fall 2016. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.