How to Use Transitions in an Essay – A Detailed Guide

3 Methods to Use Transitions in an Essay

Here are the different methods that you can use to add transitions in your essay:

Method 1: The known-new contract technique

One common way to establish connections between ideas is to make use of the known-new contract technique. This method takes into consideration both cohesion between sentences and agreement of topic matter.

With the known-new contract, you will need to think through the sequence of information in a sentence. It can be done by following the three rules below: 

Rule 1: Start each new sentence by mentioning the information that the preceding sentence ended with.

Rule 2: Each sentence should end by reflecting on a new piece of information.

Rule 3: Avoid starting sentences with new information.

If you can expertly incorporate this technique in your essays, your readers will undoubtedly understand any new piece of information with familiarity with the context. With this writing style, you will link new information with old information effortlessly.

Method 2: Use of transition words and phrases

The known-new contract ensures the most natural and effective transitions in an essay. However, if the known-new contract doesn’t seem to work for you, there are other ways to achieve an effective transition between sentences and paragraphs, such as the use of transition words and phrases.

There are four significant types of transition words and phrases;

• Signposting phrases: Such as first of all, for instance, in this example, etc.

• Conjunctive adverbs: Such as moreover, instead, thus, however, furthermore, etc.

• Relative pronouns: such as that, who, who, whomever, whoever, when, what, etc.

• Subordinating conjunctions: Such as since, unless, when, until, so that, and so, how, if, because, therefore, after, although, etc.

All transition words and phrases indicate the connection between what you are saying and what’s already been said previously.

As a writer, you will need to make appropriate use of these words and phrases to establish the relationship between sentences, particularly when the relationship between sentences doesn’t seem to be clear in the first place.

A comprehensive list of transition words and phrases

Here is a detailed list of transition words and phrases that you can use on different occasions:

• To add information or ideas: Use these when you want to introduce a new point that supports or adds to your previous one:
  • Furthermore
  • Moreover
  • Additionally
  • Also
  • Likewise
  • Similarly
  • Not only… but also
  • In addition
  • Besides
  • As well as
  • Coupled with
  • Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly (for sequencing)

• To introduce an example or illustrate a point: Use these to provide specific evidence or clarify a problem statement:
  • For example
  • For instance
  • Specifically
  • In particular
  • To illustrate
  • Namely
  • As an illustration
  • Such as

• To show a cause, reason, or result: Use these to demonstrate that one idea is the result or consequence of another:
  • Therefore
  • Thus
  • Consequently
  • As a result
  • Hence
  • Accordingly
  • For this reason
  • So
  • Since
  • Because

• To show a contrast or contradiction: Use these to present a different, opposing, or surprising idea:
  • However
  • Nevertheless
  • On the other hand
  • Conversely
  • In contrast
  • Whereas
  • While
  • Although
  • Even though
  • But
  • Yet
  • Despite
  • In spite of
  • Alternatively
  • Unlike

• To compare or show similarity: Use these to highlight how two sides are alike or comparable:
  • Similarly
  • Likewise
  • In the same way
  • Just as
  • Equally
  • Analogously
  • Compared to

• To concede a point: Use these to acknowledge a fact or opposing viewpoint before presenting your counter-argument:
  • Admittedly
  • Certainly
  • Granted
  • Naturally
  • Of course
  • While it is true that

• To summarise or conclude: Use these to signal that you are wrapping up an idea of the entire essay:
  • In conclusion
  • To summarize
  • To sum up
  • In summary
  • Ultimately
  • Overall
  • In short
  • Briefly
  • All in all
  • Finally

• To indicate time or sequence: Use these to show the order of events or the sequence of your points:
  • First, Second, Third
  • Next
  • Then
  • Subsequently
  • Meanwhile
  • Previously
  • Finally
  • Afterwards
  • During
  • Initially
  • Ultimately

• To indicate place or spatial relationship: Use these primarily in a descriptive essay to show where things are in relation to each other:
  • Adjacent to
  • Nearby
  • Opposite to
  • Here
  • There
  • In the foreground/background
  • To the left/right
  • Above
  • Below
  • Beneath
  • Beyond

Method 3: Combine similar information

Another way to ensure the readers find your writing easy to understand is to combine similar information within the essay. 

By now, you might have noticed that the use of transition words and the known-new contract technique adds to the document’s word count (because both these methods repeat known information at the beginning of sentences).

So, a natural way to limit the use of new words is to eliminate the need for transition words, which you can typically achieve by combining similar information into one segment in the essay.

How to Use Transitions in Paragraphs?

Transitioning between paragraphs will require you to place the transitions at the beginning of the new paragraph.

Transitions give an insight into what is to follow or the topic matter that new paragraphs and sentences will incorporate. Using a transition at the start of a new paragraph signals focus on the content matter of the new paragraph.

Unlike transitions between sentences that establish a connection between sentences, transitions in paragraphs focus on developing the relationship between the old and the new paragraph. This will require you to shed light on the central argument in the previous paragraph and relate it to the information provided in the present paragraph.

Here are a few things for you to consider when writing a paragraph transition: 

• Is the new paragraph a continuation of a related point discussed in the previous paragraph?
• Does the new paragraph extract or deduce some information from the preceding paragraph?
• Does it second the argument presented in the previous paragraph or offer a counter perspective?

Avoid using transitions at the end of the preceding paragraphs because, in ideal circumstances, you want each paragraph of your essay to focus on one aspect of your essay topic. This will also allow you to combine similar information together.

Essay Transitions Example

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Frequently Asked Questions