Look closely at the transitions in your writing, and consider their purpose. Overusing causal transitions can make your writing seem to jump to conclusions, while overusing countering transitions can make your writing seem aggressive. Expert academic writers tend to use a wider range and variety of transitions than student writers do, and the transitions are closely tied to their purpose. Research shows that experts are most likely to use transitional markers to show contrast, sequence, addition, comparison, and illustration.

To signal sequence and time

after a while, afterward, again, and then, as long as, as soon as, at last, at that time, before, besides, earlier, finally, first . . . second . . . third, immediately, in the meantime, in the past, last, lately, later, meanwhile, next, now, presently, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still, then, thereafter, until, when

To add ideas and make comparisons

again, also, furthermore, in the same way, likewise, moreover, similarly, too

To signal contrast or counterargument

although, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, indeed, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the contrary, on the one hand . . . on the other hand, regardless, still, though, while, yet

To signal examples and illustrations

for example, for instance, in fact, of course, specifically, such as, the following example, to illustrate

To signal cause and effect

accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this purpose, hence, so, then, therefore, thus, to this end

To signal place

above, adjacent to, below, beyond, closer to, elsewhere, far, farther on, here, near, nearby, opposite to, there, to the left, to the right

To signal concession

although it is true that, granted that, I admit that, it may appear that, naturally, of course

To signal summary, repetition, or conclusion

as a result, as has been noted, as I have said, as mentioned earlier, as we have seen, in any event, in conclusion, in other words, in short, on the whole, therefore, to summarize