Transitional
Devices
Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your paper. They encourage the reader to 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