Creating Effective Transitions

Using Transitions and Creating “Flow” 

The topic position or theme occurs at the beginning of the sentence and prepares the reader to think about a particular subject.

Put the new information, the focus of the story the paper tells the reader, at the end to increase emphasis and clarity.

Old information on the left, new information on the right

For example:

Although most people know Michigan winters are cold, many visitors are surprised by the state's hot summers.

  • Most readers assume the first part of a sentence is what the sentence is about.
  • The second part is the new information they will learn.
  • The placement of the new information helps the reader and the writer move toward more complex understandings. This process builds coherence in the text.


TIPS

Subject-verb-object constructions are a reliable starting framework for building clear sentences.

“This + [summary concept]” helps to name and expand concepts.

 

How Are the Ideas in Your Sentences Connected?

Here are some word choice options to help you create connections between your theme and your new information.

 

Connecting Words
 
Addition:
also
again
as well as
besides
coupled with 
furthermore
in addition
likewise
moreover
similarly
Consequence:
accordingly
as a result
consequently
for this reason
for this purpose
hence
otherwise
so then
subsequently
therefore
thus
wherefore
Contrast and Comparison:
contrast
by the same token
conversely
instead
likewise
on one hand
on the other hand
on the contrary
rather
similarly
yet
but
however
still
nevertheless
in contrast
Diversion:
by the way
incidentally
Emphasis:
above all
chiefly
with attention to
especially
particularly
Exception:
aside from
barring
beside
except
excepting
excluding
exclusive of
other than
outside of
save
Exemplifying:
chiefly
especially
for instance
in particular
markedly
namely
particularly
including
specifically
such as
Illustration:
for example
for instance
for one thing
as an illustration
illustrated with
as an example
in this case
Similarity:
comparatively
coupled with
correspondingly
identically
likewise
similar
Sequence:
at first
first of all
to begin with
in the first place
at the same time
for now
for the time being
the next step
in time
in turn
later on
meanwhile
next
then
soon
the meantime
later while
earlier
simultaneously
afterward
in conclusion
with this in mind
Summarizing:
after all
all in all
all things considered
briefly
by and large
in any case
in any event
in brief
in conclusion
on the whole
in short
in summary
in the final analysis
in the long run
on balance
to sum up
to summarize
finally