Transitional Devices

(from Twenty-Questions for the Writer, p. 113-4)

The word "transition" means passing over. Thus transitional guides are
connectives (symbols,words, phrases; sometimes whole sentences and
paragraphs) that make possible a smooth "passing over" from one idea to the
next. You make transitions by referring to what you have said
before,establishing cause-and-effect connections, looking ahead to what you
will say, referring to the present, marking time and place, qualifying,
comparing, contrasting. These and other common transitional devices appear
here in categories that necessarily overlap to some extent.

Referring back: as we have seen, on the whole, as mentioned above, as

stated previously, as I have said, it seems then
Looking ahead. then, later, next, after, afterward, thereafter, finally, now,
consequently, to sum up
Establishing causal connections: the result, in conclusion, to conclude,
because, for, since, consequently, accordingly, hence, thus, therefore
Time markers: now, then, later, soon, before, next, afterward, finally,
meanwhile, thereafter, at the same time
Place markers: here, there, at this point, below, beside, next to, behind, in
front, outside, inside
Comparing and establishing degree: and, similarly, in like manner, in the
same way, just as, so ... that, also, more than, less than, beyond this
Qualifying conceding, or contrasting: but, nevertheless, on the other hand,
however, despite this, still, on the contrary, conversely, if, as if, granted that,
unless, whether, anyhow, although, even though, yet
Adding and intensifying: first, second, third; a, b, c, 1, 2, 3, to repeat, in
addition, moreover, and, also, still, again, similarly, furthermore, finally, really,
indeed

Introducing an illustration: thus, to illustrate, for example, for instance

Repeating a key word: This device keeps the main idea before the reader
and carries the thread of meaning throughout a passage.
Using synonyms: Instead of repeating a key word so that it becomes
monotonous, you may use suitable synonyms that continue the same thought.
Using proper pronoun reference: Another substitute for the repetition of key
nouns and another way of connecting ideas is to use pronouns in place of
nouns.
Maintaining same subject throughout paragraph: You can often continue
the same subject from sentence to sentence, thereby maintaining a steady
focus throughout the paragraph.
Establishing repetitive or parallel sentence patterns: In addition to
repeating key words and ideas, you may repeat the grammatical structure of
your sentences to reinforce the unity of your thoughts and promote their flow.
Linking of last sentence of one paragraph with first sentence of next:
This natural, frequently intuitive method maintains coherence between
paragraphs. Sometimes you may need connecting words (such as "then
again" or "on another occasion"), but often the direction of the thought
provides its own continuity.

LIST OF TRANSITIONS
1. Transitions that add, repeat, or emphasize:

and

further

finally

also

furthermore

after all

in addition

moreover

first, second,

besides

indeed

to conclude

too

in fact

to sum up

in other words

as a result

accordingly

again

nevertheless

in the end

2. Transitions that compare, contrast, or contradict:

similarly

as, as if

regardless

rather than

like

unlike

in spite of

despite

in comparison

however

but, yet

even when

on the other hand

along with

whereas

although

to the contrary

3. Transitions that show a time or space relationship:

before

earlier

alongside

now

next

now

between

at first

afterwards

in time

later

at last

finally

eventually

ever since

then

until

soon

the following

across

during

still

day/night

over

within

meanwhile

beyond

from . . . to

4. Transitions that limit or prepare for an example:

if

that is

unless

namely

when

for example

for instance

to illustrate

in case

such as

in particular

provided that

5. Transitions that signal cause or result:

because

thus

for

as a result

so

consequently

therefore

for this reason

6. Transitions that assert a truth or acknowledge opposition:

no doubt

of course

in fact

naturally

doubtless

granted that

certainly

conceding that

surely

without a doubt

7. Transition can also be effectively accomplished by repeating a key

term or phrase:
In 1949, a new trend began as Oklahoma voters approved a state bond issue
for higher education facilities. This first state bond issue injected $36 million
into the system to strengthen its infrastructure