Using transitional words and phrases helps papers read more smoothly. They provide logical organization and understandability and improve the connections and transitions between thoughts A coherent paper allows the reader to flow from the first supporting point to the last. Transitions indicate relations, whether within a sentence, paragraph, or paper. This list illustrates "relationships" between ideas, followed by words and phrases that can connect them.

Addition:

also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly

Consequence:

accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose,

hence, otherwise, so then, subsequently, therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore

Generalizing:

as a rule, as usual, for the most part,

generally, generally speaking, ordinarily, usually

Exemplifying:

chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular, markedly, namely,

particularly, including, specifically, such as

Illustration:

for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration,

illustrated with, as an example, in this case

Emphasis

above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly, singularly

Similarity:

comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically, likewise, similar, moreover, together with

Exception:

aside from, barring, besides, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of, save

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 other hand, on the contrary, 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, with this in mind,

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, to sum up, to summarize, finally

Diversion:

by the way, incidentally

Direction:

here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under, above,

to the left, to the right, in the distance

Transitional Words and Phrases