Transitions are verbal bridges that allow writers, readers, and speakers to get from point A to point B.

A word, a phrase, a sentence, several sentences, a paragraph, or more.

The key to writing transitions is to figure out what kind of overall situation you have set up. Once you know whether you are contrasting, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship, or just adding new information, you can start to choose appropriate transitions.

Don’t be surprised if, once you have drafted a paragraph or page, it takes you quite a while to determine the logical pattern behind what you were doing. Some logical relations and the transitions that match them: Addition: another, an additional…, also, first/second/third, moreover, in addition Something in common: Both X and Y…, X has in common with Y the…, Likewise…, X and Y share… Building importance: Even more importantly…, Beyond…, On top of…, …to even greater effect, Most significantly…, Most importantly… Don’t be surprised if, once you have drafted a paragraph or page, it takes you quite a while to determine the logical pattern behind what you were doing. Some logical relations and the transitions that match them: Addition: another, an additional…, also, first/second/third, moreover, in addition Something in common: Both X and Y…, X has in common with Y the…, Likewise…, X and Y share… Building importance: Even more importantly…, Beyond…, On top of…, …to even greater effect, Most significantly…, Most importantly…

Remember: Transitions follow fundamental logical patterns, which can be played out within a single paragraph or between paragraphs or sections in an essay.