Transition Signals in Writing

What are Transition Signals?

Transition signals are connecting words or phrases that act like bridges between parts of your writing. They link your sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas. Transition signals act like signposts to indicate to the reader the order and flow of your writing and ideas. They strengthen the internal cohesion of your writing. Using transitions makes it easier for the reader to follow your ideas. They help carry over a thought from one sentence to another, from one paragraph to another, or from one idea to another.

There are several types of transition signals. Some lead your reader forward and imply the building of an idea or thought, while others make your reader compare ideas or draw conclusions from the preceding thoughts.

Sample Paragraphs

During the early twentieth century, in addition to industrialisation, urban growth and technological development, Australian society was experiencing a transformation of the domestic ideal. At this time families were subject to an increasing array of government and 'professional' programs and advice aiming to manage and regulate family life. Some of these programs were designed to counter social change, others were designed to engineer them; but they each heralded a growing expert encroachment into the private sphere.

Intervention and influence took three forms. Firstly, techniques designed to maximise efficiency were introduced into the home and scientific principles were applied to its design. In addition, housework and parenting methods were scrutinised and subject to unprecedented standards. Secondly, all aspects of reproduction attracted increasing intervention from government and the medical profession. Thirdly, state, professional and philanthropic groups began to usurp the parental role within the family through instruction and policy. Ultimately, the development of 'modern' social ideals brought regulation, intervention and ever-increasing unrealistic standards.

List of Transition Signals

To indicate sequence or order
first, second etc.	at this point	followed by
next, last, finally	previously, subsequently	after that
first of all	and then	nest, before, after
concurrently	at this time	meanwhile
simultaneously
To introduce an example
for example	for instance	e in this case
on this occasion	to illustrate	to demonstrate
this can be seen	when/where . . .	take the case of
To indicate time
immediately	thereafter	formerly
prior to	previously	finally
then	soon	during
at that time	before, after
To logically divide an idea
firstly, secondly, thirdly	Initially, subsequently, ultimately	first, next, finally
To compare
in a different way/sense	similarly	likewise
whereas	balanced against	by comparison
similar to	like, just like	conversely
To contrast
in contrast	on the other hand	balanced against
however	on the contrary	unlike
a different view is	differing from
To introduce an additional idea
in addition	also	finally
moreover	furthermore	one can also say
and then	further	another
besides that	nor
To introduce an opposite idea or show exception
however	on the other hand	instead
whereas	while	in spite of
yet	nevertheless	but
despite	even though	but one could also say . . .
still	in contrast
To give an example
for example	in this case	take the case of
to illustrate	for instance	to demonstrate
To summarise or conclude
in summary	in conclusion	in brief
as a result	on the whole	summing up
as shown	ultimately	therefore
consequently	thus	in other words
to conclude	to summarise	finally

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