Transitional Words and Phrases

An important aspect of writing is cohesion, in other words the way that ideas
connect to each other. As you write, you have a clear idea of how each idea fits your
organizational plan. It is very important to give a reader clear signals about how
your ideas relate to each other. We do this by using appropriate words and phrases.

Each transitional word and phrase has a specific use. This guide is ordered in such a
way that you can pick your purpose (comparison, contrast, example etc.) and your
comfort level with writing English, and can find appropriate transitions. As a
reminder, A Group = Intermediate ESL, B Group = Advanced ESL and C Group are
Proficient (or passed the Regents Exam), All students in this class can and should
be comfortable with words in the A box. Group B should be attempting some of the
words and phrases in the B box, while group C should be challenging themselves
with the C level transitions. You are not limited to the words in the boxes assigned
to your group, they are presented this way to serve as a guide only.

The key idea is that you vary your vocabulary, and not rely on the same words and
phrases throughout your paper!

Addition and Order

A B C
First, second etc. Firstly, secondly, etc. Moreover
Also Besides further
Next Equally important Furthermore
Again Not only In the same way
Another In addition to Not only…but also
Then As well as
Similarly
Likewise

Examples

A B C
For example For instance Thus
In other words To illustrate Specifically
In particular To be specific

Comparison (Similarities)

A B C
In the same way Similarly Analogous to
In a similar way Likewise In like manner
In like fashion
By the same token
Contrast (Differences)

A B C
But Nevertheless On the contrary
Yet In contrast To the contrary
And yet On one hand… Contrarily
However On the other hand Notwithstanding
At the same time Conversely
In spite of
While this may be true
Otherwise

Cause

A B C
Because Since On account of
For this reason

Effect

A B C
So Consequently Thus
Therefore Accordingly Hence
As a result

Emphasis

A B B
Of course By all means Undoubtedly
In fact Certainly Without doubt
Indeed Surely
To repeat
Again

Summary and Conclusion

A B C
Finally In brief Accordingly
In conclusion To sum up
In summary To summarize
In short To conclude