Using a Variety of Transitions in Your Writing

When listing two or more things or ideas, you can any one of the following transitional words or phrases:  Then (use this once only!)  First  Second  Next  Also  In addition  After  Before  Last

Instead of: The girl put on her clothes. Then she ate breakfast. Then she brushed her teeth. Then she went outside to go wait for her bus. Try this: First, the girl put on her clothes. Then, she ate breakfast and brushed her teeth before heading outside to wait for the bus. Or this: Before heading outside to wait for the bus, the girl put on her clothes, ate breakfast and brushed her teeth.

Some of these are a bit more sophisticated, but don’t be afraid to try them!  Currently  Previously, In the past  Earlier  Soon  Meanwhile  Later on  At last  Ultimately  finally

Instead of: Sara is late to school all the time. She has a hard time waking up in the morning. Her mom used to wake her up. She decided to buy herself an alarm clock. Try this: Sara is late to school all the time because she has a hard time waking up in the morning. In the past, her mom woke her up, but ultimately it’s her responsibility. She finally decided it was time to buy herself an alarm clock.

Try these transitional words and phrases when you are using evidence to back up what you have to say.  For example  For instance  Specifically  Particularly  As illustrated  As the author states  As is evident (or evidently)  As is proven  Case in point  As confirmed  Additionally

Instead of this: Tim changed a lot because of the war. He had to take care of the tavern after Father was kidnapped. He had to become the man of the house. He had to see things no child should have to see. He witnessed the beheading of Ned. Try this: Tim changed a lot because of the war. For example, he had to take care of the tavern and become the man of the house after Father was kidnapped. Additionally, he had to see things no child should have to see, such as the beheading of Ned.

Use these to hammer your point home!  Keep in mind  A major concern  Obviously, clearly, apparently  Certainly, undoubtedly, unquestionably  Above all  More importantly  Primarily, chiefly, mainly  Moreover, furthermore  First and foremost  Mostly, for the most part

Instead of this: During the Salem witch trials, many people were unfairly named as witches. They were tried and put in jail. Many people were executed. Some lost everything they had. Try this: During the Salem witch trials, many people were unfairly named as witches. This was a major concern because they were tried, put in jail and executed. Moreover, many people lost everything they had.

Sometimes we need to shift the focus of our writing in order to make a point.  But  However, while  although  Yet  In contrast  Conversely  Otherwise  On the other hand  On the contrary  Thus far

Instead of this: In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, Walter wants the insurance money so he can open up a liquor store. Bennie wants the money so she can go to school and become a doctor. Mama wants to use the money to buy a house. Try this: In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, Walter wants the insurance money so he can open up a liquor store, while Bennie wants it to go to school and become a doctor. On the other hand, Mama wants to use the money to buy a house.

Wrapping up your ideas and your paper…  In conclusion  In summary  To conclude  In closing  Therefore  As a result  Thus, hence, so  Finally  consequently

Instead of this: At the end of the story Walter decides to act like a man. He doesn’t take the money from Mr. Lindner. Mama, Ruth and Bennie are so proud of him. Walter is at peace with his decision. Try this: Finally, Walter decides to act like a man and refuses to take the money from Mr. Lindner. As a result, Mama, Ruth and Bennie are proud of him. Ultimately, he is at peace with his decision.

FLOWWWWW!