ARMEL ABARRACOSO TH101 CORWRIT

TRANSITIONAL DEVICES

(from Twenty-Questions for the Writer, p. 113-4)
Meaning:
The word "transition" means passing over. Thus transitional guides are connectives
(symbols,words, phrases; sometimes whole sentences 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
categories that necessarily overlap to some extent.
Functions & Examples:
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



ARMEL ABARRACOSO TH101 CORWRIT
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 the same thought.
Using proper pronoun reference: Another substitute for the repetition of key nouns and
another way of connecting ideas is to use pronouns in place of nouns.
Maintaining same subject throughout paragraph: You can often continue the same subject
from sentence to sentence, thereby maintaining a steady focus throughout the paragraph.
Establishing repetitive or parallel sentence patterns: In addition to repeating key words and
ideas, you may repeat the grammatical structure 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 maintains coherence between paragraphs. Sometimes you may
need connecting words (such as "then again" or "on another occasion"), but often 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

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




ARMEL ABARRACOSO TH101 CORWRIT
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:
if that is unless namely
when for example for instance to illustrate
in case such as in particular provided that

5. Transitions that signal cause or result:
because thus for as a result
so consequently therefore for this reason

6. Transitions that assert a truth or acknowledge opposition:
no doubt of course in fact naturally
doubtless granted that certainly conceding that
surely without a doubt


Sources: www.uark.edu/campus-resources/qwrtcntr/resources/handouts/transitions.htm
www.grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/transitions.htm