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Lesson Four: Transitions
Applicants
often ignore transitions to their own detriment. A good essay
must use transitions within paragraphs and especially between
paragraphs to preserve the logical flow of the essay. An essay
without good transitions is like a series of isolated islands;
the reader will struggle to get from one point to the next.
Use transitions as bridges between your ideas. As you move from
one paragraph to the next, you should not have to explain your
story in addition to telling it. If the transitions between
paragraphs require explanation, your essay is either too large
in scope or the flow is not logical. A good transition statement
will straddle the line between the two paragraphs.
You should not
have to think too much about how to construct transition sentences.
If the concepts in your outline follow and build on one another
naturally, transitions will write themselves. To make sure
that you are not forcing your transitions, try to refrain
from using words such as, “however,” “nevertheless,” and “furthermore.”
If you are having trouble transitioning between paragraphs
or are trying to force a transition onto a paragraph that
has already been written, then this may indicate a problem
with your overall structure. If you suspect this to be the
case, go back to your original outline and make sure that
you have assigned only one point to each paragraph, and that
each point naturally follows the preceding one and leads to
a logical conclusion. The transition into the final paragraph
is especially critical. If it is not clear how you arrived
at this final idea, you have either shoe-horned a conclusion
into the outline, or your outline lacks focus.
If you are confident
in your structure, but find yourself stuck on what might make
a good transition, try repeating key words from the previous
paragraph and progressing the idea. If that doesn’t work,
try this list of common transitions as your last resort:
If you are adding
additional facts or information:
as well, and,
additionally, furthermore, also, too, in addition, another,
besides, moreover
If you are trying
to indicate the order of a sequence of events:
first of all,
meanwhile, followed by, then, next, before, after, last,
finally, one month later, one year later, etc.
If you are trying
to list things in order of importance:
first, second
etc., next, last, finally, more importantly, more significantly,
above all, primarily
If you are trying
to connect one idea to a fact or illustration:
for example,
for instance, to illustrate, this can be seen
To indicate an
effect or result:
as a result,
thus, consequently, eventually, therefore,
To indicate that
one idea is the opposite of another:
nonetheless,
however, yet, but, though, on the other hand, although,
even though, in contrast, unlike, differing from, on the
contrary, instead, whereas, nevertheless, despite, regardless
of
When comparing
one thing to another:
In a different
sense, similarly, likewise, similar to, like, just as, conversely.
EXERCISE
#7: TRANSITIONS
Connect the following sentences
using an effective transition, when needed. (In some cases,
the two sentences will be able to stand without a transition.)
-
Ordinarily, I took my
responsibility seriously and would write down classmates'
names to preserve the silence and decorum of the school
environment.
When a different teacher
walked in, a teacher known to punish too hard and
painfully, I decided to save my friends from his hard
strokes, and I erased all the names.
-
Despite the windy conditions
and below freezing temperatures, I could not tear
myself away from the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos.
Despite the frustration
and difficulties inherent in scientific study, I cannot
retreat from my goal of universal understanding.
-
But the sadness with
which she responded, stating, "He died when he
was a baby,” convinced me that it was true.
It affected me as nothing
ever would again.
-
Finishing the test in
an unspectacular six minutes and five seconds, I stumbled
off the erg more exhausted than I had ever been. That
night, I went home and caught a cold.
Had I followed my survivalist
and rationalist instincts, I would have quit rowing
then and there;
-
Immediately, I realized
that I must dedicate my life to understanding the
causes of the universe's beauty.
The hike taught me several
valuable lessons that will allow me to increase my
understanding through scientific research.
-
After my grandfather’s
death, I began to understand and follow his sage advice.
I pulled out a picture
of my grandfather and me at Disneyland.
-
Often, she had to work
from dusk to dawn living a double life as a student
and a financially responsible adult.
My mother managed to
keep a positive disposition.
-
In addition to working
and studying, she found time to make weekly visits
to terminally ill and abandoned children in the local
hospital.
My mother developed the
value of selflessness.
-
My mother made me learn
Indonesian, the official language of our country.
Also, she wanted me to
develop interests in various academic and extracurricular
fields.
Answers:
1) However; 2) Similarly; 3)
The shock of this revelation at such a tender age; 4) That
was three seasons ago. 5) In addition; 6) To cope with his
passing; 7) Despite the burdens she faced; 8) From her experiences
during college; 9) My mother did not only want me to have
a broad knowledge of languages.
Continue
to Essay Clichés
From ESSAYS THAT WILL GET YOU INTO COLLEGE, by Amy Burnham,
Daniel Kaufman, and Chris Dowhan.
Copyright 1998 by Dan Kaufman. Reprinted by arrangement
with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
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