Transitional Devices
Purdue University
On-Line Writing Lab
Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your paper. They
encourage the reader easily interpret ideas in the way that you, as a writer,
want them to understand. Transitional devices help you carry over a thought
from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph
to another with words or phrases.
There are several types of transitional devices, and each category leads your
reader to make certain connections or assumptions about the two areas that you
are connecting. Some lead your reader forward and imply the "building" of an
idea or thought, while others make your reader compare ideas or draw
conclusions from the preceding thoughts.
Here is a list of some common transitional devices that can be used to cue your reader in
a given way.
By Addition
and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further,
furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more
By Comparison
whereas, but, on the other hand, except, by comparison, where, compared to,
up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile,
after all, in contrast, although this may be true
By Proof
because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore,
moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is
By Exception
yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a
while, sometimes
By Emphasis
definitely, extremely, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always,
forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a
doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation
By Sequence
first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then,
following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward,
subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously,
concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon
By Example
for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in
this situation, take the case of ..., to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an
illustration
By Summary or Conclusion
in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have
shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result
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