How Do I Include Transition Words in My Essay?

How Do I Include Transition Words in My Essay?
English teachers often ask students to put transition words in their essays, and students respond with “How do I include transition words in my essay?” Transition words show relationships between ideas in sentences and paragraphs; therefore, they are an important part of writing. The best part about transition words is that they can be easily inserted in many different places throughout an essay.


How Do I Include Transition Words in My Essay?

The versatility of transition words makes them easy to place throughout an essay. Knowing where to place these words or phrases allows writers to easily insert them where needed.

For sentences, transitions can be placed:

At the beginning of the sentence
In the middle of a sentence
For paragraphs, transitions can be found:

At the beginning the paragraph
At the end of the paragraph
Types of Transitions

Since transitions show relationships among sentences and paragraphs, recognizing types of transitions will aid a student writer when trying to place them.

Additive transitions add or introduce information. They can also be used to show similarities or to further clarify ideas. Some examples of additive transitions include:

Also, indeed, alternatively, further, furthermore, on the other hand, in addition
For example, for instance, in particular, to illustrate
Similarly, likewise, in the same manner/way
Specifically, namely
In other words
Adversative transitions show readers' conflicts, contradictions, dismissals, or emphasis. Some examples of adversative transitions include:

But, in contrast, however, conversely, on the other hand
Indeed, more importantly, in either case, in any case, in any event, at any rate
Nonetheless, nevertheless, regardless
Causal transitions are used to show the relationship of cause and effect or consequence. Some example of causal transitions include:

Due to or due to the fact, for, as, since
Granting, granted, on the condition, unless
As a result, consequently, therefore, thus, otherwise
Sequential transitions show the reader that chronological sequences in time or provide a sequence to a logical argument. Some examples of sequential transitions include:

Initially, first, to begin with, to start with
Afterwards, subsequently, previously, finally
To summarize, therefore, briefly, in short

Using Transitions in Writing

Clearly, transition words can be used in so many places that they can be overused. The key to using them efficiently is to add enough to make the reader understand the points being made without using so many that the phrases become cumbersome. A balance should be maintained; however, there are no rules as to how many or how few transitions should be in any particular essay.

Writing Process

The only way to get better at writing is to do more writing. The way to get better at using transitions is to consciously try to use them. Many students already know the steps in the writing process:

Brainstorming
Outlining
Drafting
Revising
Editing
For some writers, this is not a linear progression. Often writers move back and forth among the different steps. There is no one correct way to write, and many writers stick to what works best for them. Often, individual writing processes are learned over time and with much practice.

Adding Transitions During Editing

To include transition words, first the essay must be written and edited. There is no sense spending lots of time on transition words if the writing lacks content, organization, or contains many grammatical and mechanical errors.

Once a draft of the essay is complete, then transition words can be added in the revision and editing stage. Having a list of transition words available during writing may help with the placement of the words.

Keep in mind that some transition words are more informal than others. Academic writing should be written in a formal, authoritative tone unless an instructor or the assignment indicates otherwise.

How do I include transition words in my essay? After writing the essay, one way to help the reader stay focused and follow your thought pattern is to include a variety of transition words throughout the essay. These signal words are important for a smooth transition from one idea to another. However, try not to overuse transition words or use them as filler to bump word counts.