TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
Transitional devices are words, phrases, or whole sentences that help to connect
thoughts, qualify information and/or establish cause-and-effect relationships.
These devices can be used to guide the reader through ideas, smooth over
transitions, build an argument, draw conclusions, and compare or contrast
elements.
Use a variety of transitional devices in a piece of writing and be aware of how the
devices influence the interpretation of the ideas being developed.
These are some examples of transitional devices:
to add
and, first (second, etc.), in addition to, finally, lastly, further, furthermore, also,
too, moreover, besides
to repeat or intensify
and then again, what’s more, equally important, too, indeed, to repeat,
beyond that
to compare
in the same way, compared to, similarly, in the same way
to contrast, contradict
but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, whereas, in contrast, in spite
of, unlike, rather than, nonetheless, although, besides
to establish degree
more than, less than
to prove, show cause or result
because, for, since, for the same reason, as a result, for this reason, therefore,
consequently, so, that is
to concede a point
certainly, granted that, of course, no doubt, to be sure
to give an 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
to show time
immediately, soon, after, finally, then, later, previously, first, next, concurrently
to show space
in the background, nearby, in the distance, beside, here, there, adjacent
to show sequence
following this, next, at this time, after this point, afterward, subsequently, finally,
consequently, hence, next, and then, soon, first, second, third, and so forth, lastly
to acknowledge opposition to an idea
of course, no doubt, doubtless, granted, certainly, without a doubt, to be sure
to summarize or conclude
all in all, in any event, in conclusion, in other words, on the whole, to sum up,
therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, to conclude
This handout was developed by the Writing Service at Conestoga College (2007). Any reproduction should acknowledge the source.