Created by Kathryn Reilly

Transition Words

Transition Words

• What are transition words?

• Transition words help the reader move from one idea to the next.

• Transition words are idea bridges

• Transitions assist the reader move from idea to idea in the paragraph or paper.

Categories of Transition Words

• Many categories of transition words exist:

• Similarity• Contrast• Addition• Illustration• Cause and Effect

Similarity Transition Words• Similarity transition words show similarity between

ideas.

additionallyalso andcomparatively consequentlycorrespondinglyfurthermoreidenticallyin additionin the same waymoreover

My favorite activities include skiing and hiking.

Shakespeare wrote many plays. In addition, he wrote sonnets.

The experiment’s results additionally show that these substances react negatively to sunlight.

Contrast Transition Words• The following transition words show contrast between

two ideas:

butconverselyhoweverinsteadin contraston one handon the other handon the contraryratheryetwhilewhereas

In contrast to many critics, Mr. Smith thinks Shakespeare’s worst play is Hamlet.

I believe the plant will grow without sunlight,whereas my lab partner believes it will not.

Many students are against school uniforms. However, many adults support them.

Addition Transition Words

• The following transition words add detail:

againalsoas well asbesidesfurthermorein additionlikewisesimilarly

Raising taxes will increase financial difficulties for families. Again, raising taxes is a bad idea.

In addition to adding a chess program, the school will add dance and writing programs.

John Keats similarly tackled the topic of death.

Illustration Transition Words

• The following transition words provide further examples:

for examplefor instancefor one thingas an illustrationillustrated withas an examplein this case

Shakespeare created excellent villains. Iago, for example, is particularly dastardly.

In this case, the defendant’s guilt is clear: his fingerprints were at the scene.

As an example to prove the importance of recycling, one needs only to look at the overflowing landfills!

Cause and Effect Transition Words• The following transition words explain the impact of something:

accordinglyas a consequenceas a resultbecauseconsequentlydue tohence if/thenthenthereforethus

As a result of global warming, the polarbears’ habitat is at great risk.

Brushing one’s teeth fights off cavities; hence,individuals should try to brush twice daily.

If students want to do well on quizzes, thenthey should complete homework assignments.