The mark of a great book is how words transition a story from one part to the next. Every book is a story, irrespective of what the subject matter may be. It may not be a single story but a combination of several stories. Usually, stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. For educational books, there may be many beginnings, middles and ends. They are simply put in different subheadings and chapters. Whatever the case may be, every book has a sequence. These sequences or series of events are linked by transition words.
What Are Transition Words?
Transition words are words and phrases that connect different parts of a story and make them cohesive. They make the reading of a text smooth and easy. One of the characteristics of good writing is that it is cohesive. These words make multiple topics and subtopics mesh together into one body of work. Other names for transition words are: connecting words or linking words.
Uses and Examples of Transition Words
Transition words have various uses, in addition to their basic use which is to cause cohesion in a piece of writing. The 4 broad categories of transition words are: causal, additive, sequential and adversative. Don’t bother about the big words, let’s tell you what each one means.
Causal Transition Words
This category of words refers to cause and effect; action and consequence. Such words could also refer to consequence, condition and purpose.
Examples of such words and phrases are: because of, as a result of, therefore, for this reason, in view of, since, due to this fact, consequently, hence, this, so much so that, if so, given the circumstance, owing to, so that etc.
All these linking words and phrases refer to either something mentioned previously or about to be mentioned.
Additive Transition Words
Just like the word additive implies that something extra is added, additive transition words add extra information to a sentence or a paragraph. They either compare things, shed more light on a preceding sentence or sentences, or add more flesh to an earlier introduced idea.
Other functions of additive linking words are: introductory, referential, showing similarity and clarification.
Examples of additive transition words are: moreover, indeed, besides, not only, also, but also, both, additionally, and, in fact, for instance, particularly, in particular, including, notably, to illustrate. Other examples are: in regard to, as regards, the fact that, similarly, by the same token, namely etc.
Sequential Transition Words
This group of connecting words indicates chronology or sequences. They refer to what happens first, what happens next, and so on. They point to the order of events as written or arranged by an author or as they occurred in reality.
Other functions of sequential linking words are: enumerating, initiating, continuation, conclusion, resumption and summation.
Such examples include: first, second, third, first of all, to begin with, initially, at first, to begin with, subsequently, afterward, next, then and later.
More examples are: previously, last but not least, lastly, at any rate, in summary, in conclusion, as mentioned, it is clear that, in view of, as has been noted, in short etc.
Adversative Transition Words
The word ‘adversative’ is derived from the word ‘adverse’ which means contrary or opposed. Adversative transition words are used to indicate a contrast. These words and phrases introduce ideas or information that contrast with the prior information. Adversative connecting words also show dismissal, emphasis, replacement and concession.
Examples are: however, on the other hand, in contrast, whereas, nevertheless, notwithstanding, even so, regardless of, yet, granted, regardless, whatever the case, in any event, all the same, above all, indeed and more importantly.
Transition words are very important in writing. It does not matter what your field or subject matter may be. You should use transition words. Make use of those linking words to ensure your writing flows effortlessly. Keep the cohesion going. Happy writing!
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