Keep in mind, the kinds of transition words and phrases that work
However, while good essay writing should follow accepted norms, it should never be formulaic. If you're simply writing a general essay, the only purpose of your final transition sentence is to give notice to the reader that your argument is complete and that what is about to follow is a recapitulation. This might be useful if you're trying to meet a minimum page or word count and you need some extra padding; or, if there have been multiple paragraphs supporting your final point and you want to signal that you're now moving to your conclusion. But if you're close to your word limit, or your reader will easily understand that you've made your final point, then you should be direct and economical with your words. Instead of a full transition sentence, a brief phrase may be all the signal your reader needs as you commence the final paragraph. For example...
1. Use transition words and phrases: Such as "however," "on the other hand," "moreover," "in addition," "likewise," "conversely," and "similarly." These words help signal to the reader that you're switching topics or expanding on a point.
The organization of your written work includes two elements: (1) the order in which you have chosen to present the different parts of your discussion or argument, and (2) the relationships you construct between these parts. Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization clearer and easier to follow. Take a look at the following example:
Categories of Transition Words and Phrases
5. Start with a topic sentence: Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence that summarizes the main idea you'll be discussing in the paragraph. This helps guide the reader and sets the stage for the transition.
One way to effectively organize your argument would be to present the conventional view and then to provide the reader with your critical response to this view. So, in Paragraph A you would enumerate all the reasons that someone might consider El Pais highly democratic, while in Paragraph B you would refute these points. The transition that would establish the logical connection between these two key elements of your argument would indicate to the reader that the information in paragraph B contradicts the information in paragraph A. As a result, you might organize your argument, including the transition that links paragraph A with paragraph B, in the following manner:
If the specific purpose of your essay is to demonstrate how well you understand the use of transition sentences, then you could use something formulaic like "In conclusion, there are a number of reasons why [restate your thesis]", and follow this with your concluding paragraph(s).
While transition words and phrases are essential, and every essay will contain at least some of them, it’s also important to avoid overusing them. One way to do this is by grouping similar information together so that fewer transitions are needed.
How to Use Transition Sentences for Smoother Writing
For example, the following text uses three transition words and jumps back and forth between ideas. This makes it repetitive and difficult to follow.
How to Write a Great Transition Sentence
7. Use questions or statements to introduce new ideas: Sometimes, a rhetorical question or a short statement can be a powerful way to transition between paragraphs and provide a sense of anticipation for the upcoming argument.
How to write strong essay transitions
8. Revise and edit: Writing is a process, and often our first drafts don't have the strongest transitions. Keep revising and editing your essay to spot areas where you could improve the flow between paragraphs.
How to Write a Transition Sentence (3 Easy Steps)
It is a good idea to continue one paragraph where another leaves off. (Instances where this is especially challenging may suggest that the paragraphs don't belong together at all.) Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph and highlighting them in the next can create an obvious progression for readers. Many times, it only takes a few words to draw these connections. Instead of writing transitions that could connect any paragraph to any other paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific paragraph.
How to Use Transition Sentences: Definition, Tips, and Examples
9. Read your essay out loud: Sometimes, reading your work aloud can help you pick up on awkward transitions or areas where more clarity is needed. This can help you get a sense of how your arguments connect and how they might be improved.
92 Essay Transition Words to Know, With Examples | Grammarly
Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today. One of the biggest issues a student tackles when learning how to write a research paper is the idea of transition sentences.