Good transitions signal good writing and good thinking. They help you organize your own ideas as a writer. And for the reader, they promote the feeling that your argument is sensible and even unassailable. Transitions are important tools for all writing — and for persuasive copy, they’re essential.
Transitions can consist of single words, phrases, or sentences. They can be put to work within a sentence, to link sentences, and to connect paragraphs. Think of them in the following categories.To continue or shift a line of thought, or indicate agreement or addition:
additionally | on the other hand |
also | but |
and | however |
consequently | alternatively |
for example | originally |
furthermore | nevertheless |
mainly | despite |
so | in other words |
sometimes | conversely |
as soon as | ultimately |
at the moment | finally |
first, second, third | later |
to begin with | next |
to conclude | for now |
in other words | for this reason |
namely | in this case |
significantly | often overlooked |
surprisingly | on the positive side |
disappointingly | it sounds good, but |
equally important | provided that |
I’m sorry to say | given that |
invariably | counterintuitively |
luckily | of particular interest |
unfortunately | at the same time |
unless | in the hope that |
Transitions give you a good way to begin paragraphs or sections, while putting that information in context of the full message. The following are examples of whole sentences that serve as transitions:
- Based on this data, we’ve made the following decisions.
- We’ve considered all the information and have reached some conclusions.
- We should pay special attention to the sales figures.
- A number of issues need to be addressed. Our priorities:
As with all writing principles, there can be too much of a good thing. When you give your writing the read-aloud test and it sounds stilted and clumsy, review your transitions — you may need to remove some. Do so and you still have a well-organized, convincing message.