Importance of Transitions

Using transitional words and phrases help papers read more smoothly by providing coherence

A coherent paper allows the reader to flow from the first supporting point to the last.

Transitions indicate relations, whether from sentence to sentence, or from paragraph to paragraph. This is a list of "relationships" which supporting ideas may have, followed by a list of "transitional" words and phrases which can connect those ideas.

Addition:
also, besides, furthermore, in addition, moreover, again

Consequence:
accordingly, as a result, consequently, hence, otherwise, so then, therefore, thus,
thereupon

Summarizing:
after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by and large, in any case, in any
event, in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short in summary, in the final
analysis, in the long run, on balance, on the whole, to sum up, to summarize,
finally

Generalizing:
as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally, generally speaking, ordinarily,
usually

Restatement:
in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in short, in brief, to put it
differently

Contrast and Comparison:
contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise, on one hand, on the
contrary, on the other hand, rather, similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless,
in contrast

Sequence:
at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time, for now, for
the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on, meanwhile, next, then,
soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion

Diversion:
by the way, incidentally

Illustration:
for example, for instance, for one thing

Similarity:
likewise, similar, moreover

Direction:
here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under, above, to the left, to the
right, in the distance