8/15/2019 The Quality Writing Center Transitional Devices
1/4
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
wholesentences 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
categoriesthat 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
thesame thought.
8/15/2019 The Quality Writing Center Transitional Devices
2/4
Using proper pronoun reference: Another substitute for the
repetition of key nouns and another way of connecting ideas is to
usepronouns in place of nouns.
Maintaining same subject throughout paragraph: You can often
continue the same subject from sentence to sentence,
therebymaintaining a steady focus throughout the paragraph.
Establishing repetitive or parallel sentence patterns: In
addition to repeating key words and ideas, you may repeat the
grammaticalstructure 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 maintainscoherence
between paragraphs. Sometimes you may need connecting words (such
as "then again" or "on another occasion"), butoften 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
8/15/2019 The Quality Writing Center Transitional Devices
3/4
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:
