Transitions
 |
A transition is a word or phrase that connects one idea to another. This connection can occur within a paragraph or between paragraphs. |
A List of Transitions
Rise B. Axelrod & Charles R. Cooper (1991) highlight the importance of transition words for cohesive writing: "[a] transition, sometimes called a connective, serves as a bridge, connecting one paragraph, sentence, clause, or word with another. Not only does a transition signal a connection, it also identifies the kind of connection by indicating to readers how the item preceding the transition relates to that which follows it" (p. 413). The following list provides transitions of logical relationship, temporal relationship and spatial relationship which may help every novice writer maintain proper relationship of linguistic elements in developing ideas in their academic writing:
Transitions of Logical Relationship
- To introduce another item in a series, use the transitions like: first, second, third..; for one thing …for another; then; next; moreover; in addition to; furthermore; finally; last; also; similarly; besides; as well as; and
- To introduce an opposing point, use the transitions like: but; however; yet; nevertheless; on the contrary; on the other hand; in contrast; still; neither…nor
- To illustrate, use the transitions like: for instance; that is; namely; for example; in particular
- To conclude, use the transitions like: finally; to sum up; to wrap up; hence; accordingly; therefore; thus
- To resume the original line of reasoning, use the transitions like: all the same; nonetheless; even though; still
- To introduce a restatement, use the transitions like: in other words; in simpler terms; that is; to put the issue differently
Transitions of Temporal Relationship
- To indicate the beginning, use the transitions like: at first; since; in the beginning; before then
- To indicate the middle, use the transitions like: next; then; in the meantime; meanwhile; at that moment; at the same time; as it was happening; simultaneously
- To indicate the end, use the transitions like: eventually; finally; in the end; at last
- To indicate duration, use the transitions like: during; for a long time; after a while; for the time being; briefly
- To indicate a particular time, use the transitions like: in 2017; at the beginning of April; now; then; last Monday; in those days
- To indicate frequency, use the transitions like: occasionally; time and again; frequently; often; now and then
Transitions of Spatial Relationship
- To indicate direction, use the transitions like: along; across; behind; in front of; inside; outside; to the left or right; up or down
- To indicate closeness, use the transitions like: next; near; close to; alongside; next to; adjacent to
- To indicate distance, use the transitions like: far; beyond; away; there; in the distance
Strong Verbs in Signal Phrases: Researchers engage in the intellectual conversation by drawing references from the related texts of their area of writing. Without the use of proper signal phrases, effective conversation between what the sources state and what the researchers argue is hard to establish. For instance, if the source author narrates something, then the researcher should use signal phrase like "the author narrates it as….", if the source evaluates then the writers can fame their expression as "the author evaluates it as.....". Otherwise, the writing may end up with empty verbs and bland expressions like "A says" or "B writes". Such empty verbs (says and writes) will inhibit the writing to be precise. Therefore, the following is a comprehensive set of effective and useful verbs to be used in academic writing:
