Transitional words and phrases are used by writers to achieve a clear, logical flow of thought from sentence to sentence and from paragraph to paragraph. Listed below are some of the techniques which help the reader to follow the writer's train of thought.

1. Use of the same subject in successive sentences
   
   
   • Example: Slum clearance is one of the solutions to problems now faced in large cities. Although it is not the total answer, Slum clearance is a necessary first step.
   
   
2. Repetition of some key word or phrase from the previous sentence
   
   
   • Example: Money may provide material things. Yet material things are not our greatest assets.
   • Example: The liberally educated man is not afraid of change because he has knocked down the prison walls and is ready for a life of learning. We may be on our way to a learning, instead of working, society.
   
   
3. Use of a synonym for a key word or phrase
   
   
   • Example: One of the solutions to the problems now faced by large cities is Slum clearance. Although it is not the total answer, rehabilitation of blighted areas is a necessary first step.
   
   
4. Use of pronoun reference
   
   
   • Example: Medical researchers seek new discoveries in the treatment of human disease by experimenting on animals. This practice is called inhumane by animal rights activists.
   • Example: Experimenting on animals is defended by most doctors. They claim that the practice is necessary if medicine is to make inroads upon human disease.
   • Note: Special care must be taken when pronouns are used as transitions. The pronoun must be as close as possible to the noun or nouns to which it refers. Otherwise, the reference will be vague, unclear, or ambiguous
   
   
5. Use of parallel construction in successive sentences
   
   
   • Example: If we win, we will have found our victory. If we lose, we will have deserved our defeat.
   
   
6. Use of enumerative devices
   
   
   • Example: Our dean had two remarkable traits. First, he never made decisions without examining alternatives. Second, he is on friendly terms with the entire faculty.
   
   
7. Use of transitional words or phrases to indicate relationships between ideas
   
   
   • For ADDITION: again, also, and, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, in addition, last, likewise, moreover
   • For CLARIFICATION: as a matter of fact, clearly, evidently, in fact, in other words, obviously, of course, too
   • For COMPARISON: also, likewise, in like manner, similarly
   • For CONTRAST: after all, although, at the same time, but conversely, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the one hand, on the other hand, still, yet
   • For EXEMPLIFICATION: for example, for instance, that is, thus
   • For LOCATION: above, adjacent to, below, beyond, close by, elsewhere, inside, nearby, next to, opposite, within, without
   • For RESULT: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, hence, in short, thus, then
   • For SUMMARY: in brief, in conclusion, in short, on the whole, to sum up, to summarize
   • For TIME: after, after a short time, afterward, at that time, before, during, immediately, of late, formerly, presently, since, shortly, thereupon, until, while, temporarily, at last, now
   
   
8. Use of an opening sentence which summarizes the previous paragraph and establishes the subject of the new one
   
   
   • Example: Now that we have examined Roosevelt's domestic policies, we are ready to consider his accomplishments in the field of foreign affairs
   
   
9. Reference to a subject matter of the previous paragraph in relation to the idea which is to follow
   
   
   • Example: In the midst of these hardships and persecutions, the powerful Brigham Young let his people on to the new Zion.
   
   
10. Use of a question at the end of one paragraph or at the beginning of the next
    
    
    • Example: The facts being what they are, we cannot evade the painful question: what is the solution to the problem of farm surplus? The previous administration in Washing sought to answer the question by increases farm-support prices.
    
    

Important Positions for Transitions

Special attention should be given to the following places where the use of an appropriate transition is particularly important:

1. from the introduction to the controlling idea,
2. from the controlling idea to the first topic sentence,
3. from one paragraph to another,
4. from the last sentence of the last major paragraph to the conclusion

The examples below illustrate the importance of transitions in writing. Notice the choppiness and lack of coherence in the first paragraph and the coherence and smoothness of the second paragraph.

WITHOUT TRANSITIONS

I like autumn. Autumn is a sad time of year. The leaves turn bright shades of red and yellow. The weather is mild. I can help thinking ahead to the coming of winter. Winter will bring ice storms and chapped faces. In winter, the north wind is biting-cold. I find winter unpleasant. I can't help thinking ahead to winter's arrival. I am sad when I think winter is coming.

WITH TRANSITIONS

I like autumn, and yet autumn is a sad time of year, too. The leaves turn bright shades of yellow and red, and the weather is mild, but I can't help thinking ahead to the coming winter with its ice storms and biting-cold north wind. I find these things unpleasant, and autumn reminds me of their coming. Because I am reminded of these unpleasant things, autumn is a sad time for me.

YOUR TURN

Add transitions to the paragraph below. Make sure the paragraph is logical, coherent, and smooth.

College is difficult. High school was less difficult. College is different from high school. College demands concentration. High school allowed free time. High school offered activities. College offers more activities than high school. College classes are small. High school classes were less large. High school teachers were friendly. College professors are not personal. They do not give individual attention. High school was a challenge. College is more of a challenge.