Using Supporting Details and Transitions
Introduction
A transition is a connecting word that describes a relationship between ideas. A strong paragraph moves seamlessly from the topic sentence into the supporting sentences and on to the concluding sentence. To help organize a paragraph and ensure that ideas logically connect to one another, writers use transitional words and phrases.
WRITING AT WORK
Transitional words and phrases are useful tools to incorporate into workplace documents. They guide the reader through the document, clarifying relationships between sentences and paragraphs so that the reader understands why they have been written in that particular order.
For example, when writing an instructional memo, it may be helpful to consider the following transitional words and phrases: before you begin, first, next, then, finally, after you have completed. Using these transitions as a template to write your memo will provide readers with clear, logical instructions about a particular process and the order in which steps are supposed to be completed.
Useful Transitional Words and Phrases
Transitions are words or phrases that indicate linkages in ideas. When writing, you need to lead your readers from one idea to the next, showing how those ideas are logically linked. Transition words and phrases help you keep your paragraphs and groups of paragraphs logically connected for a reader. Writers often check their transitions during the revising stage of the writing process.
Below are a few visuals highlighting examples of transitional words and phrases:
|
Time |
Place |
Idea |
Summarizing |
|
Before long |
On the patio |
Another reason |
Finally |
|
Later that day |
In the kitchen |
Also |
In conclusion |
|
Late last night |
At the cottage |
In addition |
To conclude |
|
The next day |
In the backyard |
For example |
To summarize |
|
After a while |
When we went to the store |
To illustrate |
In summary |
|
Before long |
Nearby |
For instance |
To sum up |
|
Sometimes |
Adjacent to |
Likewise |
In short |
|
Following |
Wherever |
However |
As you can see |
|
Subsequently |
Opposite to |
In contrast |
For all of those reasons |
|
Transition Word / Phrase: |
Shows: |
||
|
and, also, again |
More of the same type of information is coming; information expands on the same general idea. |
||
|
but, or, however, in contrast |
Different information is coming, information that may counteract what was just said. |
||
|
as a result, consequently, therefore |
Information that is coming is a logical outgrowth of the ideas just presented. |
||
|
for example, to illustrate |
The information coming will present a specific instance, or present a concrete example of an abstract idea. |
||
|
particularly important, note that |
The information coming emphasizes the importance of an idea. |
||
|
in conclusion |
The writing is ending. |
||
Summary
When reviewing your essays for transitions, you might consider asking yourself: Does one topic lead naturally to another? How is the subject of each paragraph related to the subject of the next paragraph? After each claim, ask, “What does the reader need to know next?” You may need to rearrange the order of topics and/or break up larger paragraphs based on the ease of transition from one topic to the next.
Sources:
“5.3 Organizing an Essay.” By Elizabeth Burrows, Angela Fowler, Heath Fowler, and Amy Locklear. Retrieved from: https://composingourselvesandourworld.pressbooks.com/chapter/5-3-organizing-an-essay/ Licensed under: CC-BY
“Paragraphing & Transitioning.” By Excelsior Online Writing Lab. Retrieved from: https://owl.excelsior.edu/writing-process/paragraphing/paragraphing-and-transitioning/ Licensed under: CC-BY
“Steps of Writing a Paper.” By Lumen Learning. Retrieved from: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-writing/chapter/steps-of-writing-a-paper/ Licensed under: CC-BY-SA
