Transition Words for Essays and How to Use Them: Guide with Examples

What Are Transition Words for Essays?

Transitions for essays secure the logic of your text. They help to determine how various ideas relate to each other. Believe it or not but what is clear for you, other people do not necessarily understand. Therefore, we use these mysterious phrases to connect everything together. It’s like painting a picture and adding key details.

We cannot properly connect sentences without these key elements. It is like looking at your friend and not understanding their mood. Who would want that? Thus, don't forget to use them between important sections of an essay. And if you have noticed, even we use them. Can you find a transition in this paragraph?  

Why and Where Should I Use Transition Sentences?

Good transitions are used in the places where we want to show the logical connection between body paragraph or sentences. Anywhere where you might want to underline the relationships between certain parts.

We also have mentioned that these words are key elements that help the reader understand your paper better. But here are also other reasons to use connectors:  

• Improve logical flow.
• Make sure the readers understand your main idea.
• Connect sentences.
• Underline the relationship between ideas, thought, and sections.
• Increase word count. Just kidding! This is a huge no-no and our word count tool can help you stay on track.

Without connections, we do not always understand the meaning of the sentence. For example: here, in particular, we can use a connector to highlight contrast:

I am busy writing essays. Therefore, I cannot go out.

If you are juggling many assignments and want to save time, reach out to StudyCrumb for essay writing help. 

Types of Transitions Words

There are several types of transitions. Why would you ask? Well, because all words fit a particular situation. It is like picking an ice cream flavor for a particular mood. Thus, some of them show contrast; others will signify a new section. And if you’re looking for a list of those helpful transitions, then you can find them all below!

Transitions Between Sections

Essay transition words are often used in sections that summarize something. Hence, transitional paragraphs are great when it comes to connecting several ideas together.

They also allow readers to keep up! Therefore, they are used to still secure the flow, grab attention, and synthesize what was said. So you shouldn't shy away from using them when it is appropriate.  

Essay Transitions Between Paragraphs

What are transitions for paragraphs and, of course, between them? They are connectors, phrases, or words that we use when we want to provide a smooth transition between our paragraphs.

As a result of using them, we don't have a mess that we call writing. For example, there are types of writing that allow free flow without a necessary connection. But here, our audience must understand what is even happening. The same can be said about connecting sentences. However, we will return to this later.  

Transitions Within Paragraphs

Transition words for sentences are truly magical if used properly. To understand them, we should know the importance of social cues. There are times when people just can't take a hint. The same can be noticed within writing, especially an academic one.

How can you let your readers know what they should expect? How to use written cues? It is easy, really. You can use the list of all phrases and words that fit your required position and meaning. By putting them in our writing, we can let readers know what part of your writing they are reading. For example, we will present a conclusion, and everyone will believe it is one of the topic sentences because it lacks proper connections.  

How to Create Perfect Transitions in Writing

Good transition words for essays were already creed before. You don't really have to do your own words to succeed. Writing is pretty easy, having examples, lists, and explanations.

How to use such phrases and where?  

• When one must show any connection.
• Underline contrast.
• Ensure flow from one section to another.
• Remind the readers of the previous idea.
• Make one's analysis easy to understand and comprehensive.
• Nail logic and show all your thoughts on paper without leaving questions.

Just remember that you shouldn't overuse them. Several phrases and words will be enough. But in more detail below!

1. Look Back to Your Outline When Writing Transitions

Transitions in essays can be written from the very start. Where do we usually begin or, more likely, with what? An outline! So you can draft your transition from the moment you start on your essay outline template.

Look back at all your sections and ask yourself the following questions:  

1. How are your parts connected?
2. Can you come up with one word or a short phrase to describe this relationship between them?
3. Can you use this one word to summarize the main idea and not lose any meaning?

By answering those questions, you will be able to choose the best possible transition.

2. Choose Placement for Your Transitions

Smooth transitions are called so for a reason. Sadly, you cannot simply use them anywhere they please you. So nailing their location is your first task.

Take a look at your phrase and think about whether it is necessary.

1. Does it show any connections or relationships?
2. If you delete it, does this change anything?
3. Would you understand your own text with it?
4. Are you sure you haven't used it to increase your word count?
5. Does it clarify or, in contrast, confuse the reader?

3. Use Essay Transitions Sparingly

Transitions for paragraphs cannot be placed in every sentence. Trust us; it is tempting to just put them everywhere. Indeed, they look fancy, increase your word count and definitely sound academic. Why not start each statement with a smooth connection? Because:

• Readers will find it excessive.
• Too many transitional phrases do not allow to write clearly.
• It will make it harder to understand the main idea.
• Lastly, excessive transitions can distract from evidence and key arguments.

The last and most important tip is to make a draft writing. It will help simplify all that process.

Here, perhaps, less is more. Use them sparingly, and their force will be with you!

List of Transitions

We have finally come to the list of essay transitions. Do you remember that they all serve their unique purposes? That's right. They were made to serve their particular parts of a paragraph or section.

As they are excellent in making summaries, one word is enough to set certain relationships. Some of them add some contradict and others show contracts. But enough talking for now. Read further to get the best list of transitions, and don't forget to save it for your future essay!  

1. Addition

The best transition words for an essay will fit their important purpose. We wouldn't be using them otherwise. Therefore, our first step towards conquering connections is addition. They are those words and phrases that add some new information to our topic. That is why we call them 'additions.' So in case this is exactly what you need, here is a list to choose from:

1. What is more;
2. Furthermore;
3. In addition;
4. Moreover;
5. Also;
6. Too;
7. Additionally;
8. Besides;
9. Further;
10. It is essential to add that.

2. Contradiction

Transition sentences can also be used to show other relationships. For example, they are excellent when it comes to highlighting certain differences between subjects or information. The key here is still to use them sparingly. But you will also notice that you cannot hide from them. Even this paragraph has some. Still, a more comprehensive list you can find down below. Save it and make your essay more academic!

1. Unlike;
2. Nevertheless;
3. On the other hand (There should be 'on one hand' too);
4. Nonetheless;
5. However;
6. But;
7. In contrast;
8. Although;
9. When comparing;
10. Despite.

3. Condition

Transition words for sentences have plenty of purposes to study. Truly, whatever is your case, we promise, there is a word that can perfectly describe it. In our viewpoint, our language is a magical tool for that. For example, we can use it to highlight conditions. Why struggle to try to explain something when we have ideal words for that meaning? Conditions look much better if they are framed with these words:

1. Granted that;
2. If;
3. When;
4. Because of;
5. In that case;
6. In case;
7. Given this;
8. Only;
9. Even if;
10. So as to.

4. Emphasis

Good transition words for essays can also help your readers understand what the most important part of the section is. Not everything has the same level of importance. Of course, you will rank your particular ideas. But it is not all you can do to help your readers navigate your text. Use transitional helpers and highlight what truly matters and avoid undermining your message.

1. Undoubtedly;
2. Admittedly;
3. Certainly;
4. Surely;
5. Obviously;
6. Particularly / in particular;
7. Indeed;
8. Indubitably;
9. There is no doubt that;
10. Unquestionably.

5. Similarity

Transition words and phrases for essays do not always show contrast. They also can be used in showcasing similarities.

The majority of your ideas are connected and related to one another. So how can you show their equality and similarity? By using connectors, of course. Here's our list of top phrases that will be your absolute go-to's:  

1. Similarly;
2. Equally;
3. Similar to;
4. Same as;
5. In the same manner;
6. Likewise;
7. Correspondingly;
8. In the same way;
9. So too;
10. Also.

6. Result

Are you still with us on this journey through transition words? Good. We still have several steps to take. But the finish is close, so bear with us for a bit. There are plenty of interesting things to come. Now we want to talk more about the results, although not necessarily about what you have concluded in your paper. Here we must link a statement or fact with its outcome. Think about it as a cause and effect relationship. The list is below:

1. As a consequence;
2. Therefore;
3. This way;
4. Hence;
5. Thus;
6. Consequently;
7. So;
8. In this fashion;
9. As a result;
10. Wherefore.

7. Conclusion Transitions

Transitions for essays vary depending on the section they are used in. Naturally, our introduction, essay conclusion, and body paragraphs will all have different connectors. In this case, we focus on concluding sections. Remember that it contains the following elements:

• Summary of our previously mentioned facts;
• Restatement of thesis.

Now that we have settled this point, we can continue further with our list:

1. In conclusion;
2. Therefore;
3. To summarize;
4. In short;
5. In other words;
6. To sum up;
7. It was established that;
8. To warp up;
9. Concluding;
10. Overall.

8. Sequence

There are two last steps to nail transitions in our writing. Not all articles must provide bullet-proof evidence. Some of them present sequences of certain events. Here we should focus on correct order as all events come one by one. We can also say that getting our time and chronology right will increase our chances of being understood. Like we always do, here's a list:

1. First/ firstly;
2. Second/ secondly;
3. Third/ thirdly;
4. Lastly and most importantly;
5. Last but not least;
6. Initially;
7. Originally;
8. Finally;
9. Ultimately;
10. Sequentially.

9. Location

And here, we see the final steps towards conquering transitions in our essay. You know practically everything there is. We only have a location left. First, what do we even mean by saying location?

• Place
• Space
• Order

So what words can we use to show our placement and spatial characteristics?

1. On top;
2. Below;
3. Beneath;
4. Approximately;
5. Underneath;
6. In the bottom;
7. Beneath;
8. Under;
9. Around;
10. In the back.

Imagine that you are drawing a map. But here, you should use your words and not brushes or other utensils.

Transition Words for Essays: Bottom Line

What a journey that was all through essay transitions! But we are definitely more than ready to start the actual writing now. Just a quick reminder: use connectors sparingly. If you fill your text with an excessive amount of such phrases, then the reader can get lost. We don't want that. So less is more.