Using Transitions

Using Transitions

One of the keys to good writing is the effective use of transition between sentences and paragraphs. The importance of using connectors between sentences and paragraphs cannot be overemphasized; in order for a body paragraph to do its part in the paper, it must connect smoothly with the parts around it. An essay can fall apart unless the paragraphs are firmly linked together. Transitional devices have one purpose: to help the reader follow the main line of thought. The two major types of transition are standard devices and paragraph hooks.

The standard devices are specific words and phrases that lead the reader through an argument. They indicate important logical relationships between sentences and/or ideas:

Admittedly In addition On the other hand

And, But In fact Still

Assuredly Indeed The fact remains

Certainly It is true that Therefore

Clearly…then Moreover Thus

Consequently Nevertheless To be sure

Even so No doubt True

Furthermore Nobody denies Undoubtedly

Granted Obviously Unquestionably

However Of course Yet

Paragraph hooks are both stronger and more sophisticated than standard devices. A paragraph hook consists of the repetition of a key word or idea from the last sentence of one paragraph in the first sentence of the next idea. The best papers use both types of transition for variety. Obviously, in order for transitions to be effective, every paragraph needs a strong topic sentence and a concluding sentence. A brief example of a paragraph hook is given below.

The game of baseball, although familiar to many and popular throughout the world, is actually more sophisticated than the average enthusiast would think. If one were to study the game more closely, for example with the guidance of an insider such as a coach or a professional player, he would probably be surprised to learn of the various complexities involved in playing America’s national pastime.

The complexities in the game of baseball can easily be demonstrated first by surveying coaching strategies and tactics…

The main idea of the first paragraph tells us that baseball is more complicated than most people think. The key word used to capture this concept is complexities. (Baseball is complex.) The same key word (complexities) is repeated in the first sentence of the second paragraph, giving us a smooth transition from one paragraph to the next and “setting the stage” for the contents of the second paragraph.

Choose this hook carefully, however. Not just any word will do. It should reflect the topic you want to develop in your second paragraph and should not merely repeat what is said in the paragraph that comes before.

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This page last updated on 07/19/2004