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Use transition words

A topic sentence may provide a transition from one paragraph to another. But a transition word or phrase (usually in the topic sentence) clearly tells the audience whether the paragraph expands on the paragraph before, contrasts with it, or takes a completely different direction.

Types of transitions

Bryan Garner (2001) divides transition words into three types:

Pointing words

Pointing words – including this, that, these, those, and the – refer directly to something already mentioned. They point to an antecedent. If your preceding paragraph describes the process of strip mining, and your next paragraph begins with “this process causes…,” the word this makes a clear connection between paragraphs.

Echo links are words or phrases that echo a previously mentioned idea. They often work together with pointing words.

In the example above, you’ve just written a paragraph about how strip mining removes the top surface of the land to get at the coal under it. If you then begin the next paragraph with “this scarring of the earth,” the words “scarring of the earth” are an echo of the mining process described in the previous paragraph.

Explicit connectives

Explicit connectives – further, also, however, and therefore — supply transitions.

Explicit connectives between sentences and paragraphs can be overdone, but more often we simply overlook using them. Being too familiar with our own material, we think they aren’t needed. Readers, on the other hand, find them helpful in following our train of thought.

Here are some examples from Bryan Garner.

When adding a point

also, and, in addition, besides, what is more, similarly, further

When giving an example

for instance, for example, for one thing, for another thing

When restating

in other words, that is, in short, put differently, again

When introducing a result

so, as a result, thus, therefore, accordingly, then

When contrasting

but, however, on the other hand, still, nevertheless, conversely

When summing up

to summarize, to sum up, to conclude, in conclusion, in short

When sequencing ideas

first, second, third, fourth, then, next, finally

Sources

  • Garner, Bryan A., Legal Writing in Plain English, 2001, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 67-71.