Transitions between Paragraphs

Making connections between paragraphs is vital to essay cohesion.  Without transitions, your writing can turn into a series of nice paragraphs that are completely unrelated to each other.  The two most common means of initiating a paragraph transition are with transition words or with a “content” transition.

List of Transition Words

To Add or Show Sequence- again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, last, moreover, next, second, still, too

To Compare- also, in the same way, likewise, similarly

To Contrast- although, and yet, but, but at the same time, despite, even so, even though, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other had, regardless, still, though, yet

To Give Examples or Intensify- after all, an illustration of, even, for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, it is true, of course, specifically, that is, to illustrate, truly

To Indicate Place- above, adjacent to, below, elsewhere, farther on, here, near, nearby, on the other side, opposite to, there, to the east, to the left

To Indicate Time- after a while, afterward, as long as, as soon as, at last, at length, at that time, before, earlier, formerly, immediately, in the meantime, in the past, lately, later, meanwhile, now, presently, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, until now, when

To Repeat, Summarize, or Conclude- all in all, altogether, as has been said, in brief, in conclusion, in other words, in particular, in short, in simpler terms, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to summarize

To Show Cause or Effect- accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this purpose, hence, otherwise, since, then, therefore, thereupon, thus, to this end, with this object

“Content” Transitions

If you are not certain of how to use a transitional word or expression, it is best to avoid it and use something that is familiar to you.  The other option available is to use a “content transition”.  In between paragraphs, use an idea from the last sentence of the preceding paragraph to connect to the first sentence of the next paragraph.  Look at the following example:

Last sentence of paragraphà                        Without a doubt, the jobs I have had in the last two years have been the least satisfying of my short working career.

First sentence of next paragraphà               The definition of satisfaction, however, varies quite a bit from person to person…