What are “transitions”?

Transitions are words or phrases that connect ideas from one unit of text to another. They provide clear, logical steps from one point to the next. Transitions are used in sentences, paragraphs, and large blocks of text.

Between Paragraphs

When using transitions between paragraphs, the topic sentence of one paragraph should allude to the final sentence of the previous paragraph:

. . . Presenting all sides of an event or topic will help keep the article close to the truth.

The only truth that exists in a society with government controlled media is that of the government. . . .

Also, the topic sentence could allude to the topic sentence of the previous paragraph:

Consider aseptic packaging, the synthetic packaging for the “juice boxes” so many children bring to school with their lunch. . . .

What is true for juice boxes is also true for other forms of synthetic packaging. (Hacker 34)

Another method is for the final sentence of a paragraph could be to briefly summarize the content and suggest ideas in the next paragraph.

Within Sentences

Within sentences, transitions are used to move from one part of the sentence to another. Some examples of these common words are:

and
also
besides
for example
but
however

in short
after
as
above
so

These words are not only used to transition, they are also used to show:

addition
give examples
compare
contrast

summarize
passing of time
place or direction
logical relationships

Transitional Paragraph

If blocks of text are too long then a transitional paragraph maybe needed. A transitional paragraph summarizes the previous information as well as establishes its relevence to the next section of information. A transitional paragraph provides a logical step from one part of a block of text to the next part:

Although the great apes have demonstrated significant language skills, one central question remains: Can they be taught to use that uniquely human language tool we call grammar, to learn the difference, for instance, between “ape bite human” and “human bite ape”? In other words, can an ape create a sentence? (Hacker 35)

Transitions allow the reader to continue reading at a steady pace and prevent the reader from making unnecessary pauses after every five sentences.

Works Cited

Faigley, Lester. "Signal relationships with Transitional Terms." The Brief Penguin Handbook. New York: Longman-Pearson Education, Inc. 2003: p. 48-49.

---. "Link Across Paragrpahs." The Brief Panguin Handbook. New York: Long-Pearson Education, Inc. 2003: p. 50-51.

Hacker, Diana. "Providing Transitions." A Writer's Reference. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's 2003: p. 33-35.

"Writing Effective Transitions." The Writing Center. 1998. UNC-CH Writing Center. 21 Oct. 2004.

Composition FAQ