College Essay Writing Tips

Transitional Words and Phrases for Unity and Coherence

Oct 8, 2009 Carol Rzadkiewicz

Transitions are in used to create cohesion within a written work; however, students must bear in mind that different transitions establish different relationships.

When a written work lacks unity, readers feel as if they are being taken on a journey in a vehicle lacking shock absorbers, and that vehicle is careening over a rough, winding, and torturous road filled with potholes. In fact, readers often become quite disoriented. This is why accomplished writers use transitional words and phrases. They have come to realize, after all, the importance of providing their readers with a smooth, comfortable journey that they will more than likely enjoy and appreciate.

Writing Papers With Unified Paragraphs

There are several methods that accomplished writers utilize in order to create unity within a written work. One, they repeat key words and ideas by selecting those worthy of emphasis. Two, they repeat parallel structures, for example, sentence or verb-phrase patterns. Three, they use pronoun reference, for example, replacing nouns with pronouns, but only as long as the antecedent is clear (the antecedent is the noun the pronoun is replacing). Finally, accomplished writers use transitional words and phrases in order to create necessary cohesion.

Writing with Transitional Words and Phrases

In order to see transitional words and phrases in practice, examine these two paragraphs:

People can help fight global warming by reducing their dependence upon fossil fuels. For starters, they can drive only when necessary and plan trips so as to accomplish several goals at one time, for example, picking up dry cleaning and then shopping for groceries on the way home from an appointment. Another way is to carpool to work, share expenses with coworkers and, in the process, reduce carbon emissions. In addition, people can also purchase smaller vehicles instead of gas-guzzling SUV’s and four-wheel-drive pickups.
On the other hand, people can also cut energy consumption in the home, for instance, by switching off lights when they leave rooms and setting thermostats a bit higher in summer and lower in winter. Granted, however, none of these steps will immediately stop global warming or solve the energy crisis, but they will make a difference in time.

The transitional words and phrases are “for starters, for example, another way, in addition, also, on the other hand, for instance, granted," and "however.”

Different Transitional Words and Phrases

Not all transitional words and phrases are created equal. In other words, they establish different relationships between ideas, which is why writers must choose transitions carefully and opt for only those that establish the correct relationship. For example, in order to show readers that he or she is going to provide additional information or ideas, a writer can say “In addition,” but there are also other words and phrases that establish the same relationship. And these words link ideas between sentences so that the entire paragraph achieves unity, focus, and coherence.

List of Transitions and Established Relationships

Below are some examples of transitional words and phrases and the relationships they establish:

Addition: in addition, as a result, moreover, furthermore, consequently, hence, otherwise, so, then, therefore, thus, etc.
Sequence: to begin with, at first, first, first of all, second, third, finally, in conclusion, later on, next, respectively, for the time being, meanwhile, for now, etc.
Illustration: for example, for instance, for one, for another, in illustration, etc.
Consequence: as a result, consequently, otherwise, therefore, resultantly, accordingly, thus, etc.
Summary: all things considered, briefly, in any case, finally, all things said, in summary, in the final analysis, to sum up, all in all, by and large, in any event, in final consideration, in conclusion, etc.
Generalization: for the most part, generally speaking, in general, ordinarily, usually, customarily, normally, as a rule, as usual, by and large, more often than not, mostly, rarely, etc.
Contrast and comparison: conversely, on the one hand, on the other hand, likewise, similarly, instead, on the contrary, contrarily, to the contrary, rather, yet, by the same token, to the contrary, etc.
Concession: be that as it may, however, in any event, nevertheless, still, notwithstanding, this fact notwithstanding, in any case, even so, at any rate, etc.
Restatement: in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, etc.
Diversion: incidentally, by the way, by the by, parenthetically, while we’re on the subject, lest I forget, etc.

In conclusion, transitional words and phrases relate the thought expressed in one sentence to that expressed in the sentence that follows, and they continue to do so throughout the body of a paragraph and within an entire written work. Consequently, accomplished writers have taken the time to learn the relationships created by different transitions and they continually make an effort to use these transitions correctly. They realize, after all, the importance of taking their readers on a smooth, comfortable journey from the beginning to the end of any written work.

Students may also want to check out the following articles: What Is Paragraph Unity and Steps for Writing a Well-Organized Essay.

Reference:

Dees, R. The Resourceful Writer. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1999.

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