Writing
Transition
Transitions are the bridges between your ideas—words and phrases that help readers follow your logic and understand how your thoughts connect.
Types of Transitions
| Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|
| Addition | Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, Also |
| Contrast | However, Nevertheless, On the other hand, Yet |
| Cause/Effect | Therefore, Consequently, As a result, Thus |
| Sequence | First, Second, Next, Finally |
| Example | For example, For instance, Specifically |
| Emphasis | Indeed, In fact, Most importantly |
| Summary | In conclusion, To summarize, Overall |
Examples
Addition: "Social media increases anxiety. Furthermore, it disrupts sleep patterns."
Contrast: "Social media can connect people. However, it often isolates users from immediate communities."
Cause/Effect: "Teenagers spend 7+ hours daily on social media. As a result, they have less time for homework."
Common Mistakes
- Overuse — too many transitions feels clunky
- Misleading — using "however" when you're not contrasting
- Missing — jumping between ideas without connection
Good transitions guide readers without being noticeable.
Quick Tips
- Use transitions at paragraph beginnings
- Match the transition to the relationship between ideas
- Vary your transitions—don't repeat "furthermore" constantly
- Sometimes a well-placed pronoun or repeated word works better