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Transition signals

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Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing. This page gives information on what transition signals are, the grammar of transition signals, and different types of transition signals. There is also an example essay at the end in which you can highlight the different types of transition signal, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.

What are transition signals?

For more on cohesion (including transition signals), see the YouTube video ».

Transition signals, along with repeated words and reference words, are one of the main ways to achieve good cohesion and coherence in your writing. They are therefore a way to help ensure that your ideas and sentences cohere or 'stick together'. Transition signals are used to signal relationships between ideas in your writing. For example, the transition signal 'for example' is used to give examples, while the word 'while' is used to show a contrast. In addition, there are phrases like 'in addition' for adding new ideas. Likewise there are words such as 'likewise' to connect similar ideas.

Grammar of transition signals

Broadly speaking, transition signals can be divided into three types:

sentence connectors
clause connectors
other connectors

Sentence connectors are used to connect two sentences together. They are joined by a full-stop (period) or semi-colon, and are followed by a comma. The following are examples of sentence connectors.

Transition signals are very useful. However, they should not be used to begin every sentence.
Transition signals are very useful; however, they should not be used to begin every sentence.
Contrast signals are one type of transition signals. In addition, there are others such as compare signals and addition signals.
There are three main ways to improve cohesion in your writing. First, you can use transition signals.

Clause connectors are used to connect two clauses together to form one sentence. They are joined by a comma. The following are examples of clause connectors.

Transition signals are very useful, but they should not be used to begin every sentence.
Although transition signals are very useful, they should not be used to begin every sentence.
Contrast signals are one type of transition signal, and there are others such as compare signals and addition signals.

Other connectors follow different grammar patterns. Many are followed by noun phrases. Some are verbs and should therefore be used as verbs in a sentence. The following are examples of other connectors.

Despite their importance in achieving cohesion, transition signals should not be used to begin every sentence.
Good cohesion is the result of using repeated words, reference words, and transition signals.
It is clear that careful use of transition signals will improve the cohesion in your writing.
Contrast signals are one type of transition signal. Another type is comparison signals.

Types of transition signals

Below are examples of different types of transition signals. They are divided by type, and sub-divided according to grammar. More information on some of these is given in relevant essay sections.

To introduce an additional idea

Sentence connectors

also
besides
furthermore
in addition
moreover
additionally

Clause connectors

Other

another (+ noun)
an additional (+ noun)

To compare

For more on comparison signals, see the compare and contrast essays section.

Sentence connectors

likewise
similarly
equally
in the same way

Clause connectors

and
both... and
not only... but also
neither... nor
just as

Other

as... as
like/alike
just like
to be similar to
to be alike
to be similar

To contrast

For more on contrast signals, see the compare and contrast essays section.

Sentence connectors

however
in contrast
in/by comparison
on the other hand

Clause connectors

but
whereas
while

Other

compared to/with
to be different (from)
to be dissimilar
to be unlike
to differ (from)

To show concession

Concession transitions show an unexpected result. They are similar to but not the same as contrast transitions. E.g. Although the sun was shining, he took an umbrella to work. [The sun shining means taking an umbrella is unexpected.]

Sentence connectors

however
nevertheless
nonetheless
still

Clause connectors

but
yet
although
even though
though

Other

despite (+ noun)
in spite of (+ noun)

To introduce a cause/reason

For more on cause signals, see the cause and effect essays section.

Sentence connectors

for this reason

Clause connectors

for
because
since
as

Other

to result from
to be the result of
due to
because of
to be the effect of
to be the consequence of
as a result of
as a consequence of

To introduce an effect/result

For more on effect signals, see the cause and effect essays section.

Sentence connectors

as a result
as a consequence
consequently
hence
thus
therefore

Clause connectors

Other

to result in
to cause
to have an effect on
to affect
the cause of
the reason for

To give an example

Sentence connectors

for example
for instance
in this case

Other

such as (+ noun)
like
an example of (+ noun)
to demonstrate

To show chronological order

Sentence connectors

first, second, etc.
first of all
then
next
now
then
soon
last
finally
previously
meanwhile
gradually
after that
since
then

Clause connectors

after
as
as soon as
before
since
until
when
while

Other

the first, the second
the next, the last, the final
before (lunch etc.)
after (the war etc.)
since (1970 etc.)
in the year (2000 etc.)

To show order of importance

Sentence connectors

above all
first and foremost
more/most importantly
primarily

Other

a more important
the most important
the second most significant
the primary

To show an alternative

Sentence connectors

alternatively
otherwise

Clause connectors

or
if
unless

To identify or clarify

Sentence connectors

that is
in other words
specifically

Other

namely
i.e.

To reinforce

Sentence connectors

in fact
indeed
of course
clearly

To conclude

Sentence connectors

all in all
in brief
in conclusion
in short
in summary

Other

to summarise
to conclude
It is clear that...
We can see that...
The evidence suggests...
These examples show...

Example essay

Below is an example essay. It is the one used in the persuasion essay section. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different types of transition signal in this essay.

Title: Consider whether human activity has made the world a better place.

Examples		Addition

Contrast		Reason

Alternative		Conclude

History shows that human beings have come a long way from where they started. They have developed new technologies which means that everybody can enjoy luxuries they never previously imagined. However, the technologies that are temporarily making this world a better place to live could well prove to be an ultimate disaster due to, among other things, the creation of nuclear weapons, increasing pollution, and loss of animal species.

The biggest threat to the earth caused by modern human activity comes from the creation of nuclear weapons. Although it cannot be denied that countries have to defend themselves, the kind of weapons that some of them currently possess are far in excess of what is needed for defence. If these weapons were used, they could lead to the destruction of the entire planet.

Another harm caused by human activity to this earth is pollution. People have become reliant on modern technology, which can have adverse effects on the environment. For example, reliance on cars causes air and noise pollution. Even seemingly innocent devices, such as computers and mobile phones, use electricity, most of which is produced from coal-burning power stations, which further adds to environmental pollution. If we do not curb our direct and indirect use of fossil fuels, the harm to the environment may be catastrophic.

Animals are an important feature of this earth and the past decades have witnessed the extinction of a considerable number of animal species. This is the consequence of human encroachment on wildlife habitats, for example deforestation to expand human cities. Some may argue that such loss of species is natural and has occurred throughout earth's history. However, the current rate of species loss far exceeds normal levels, and is threatening to become a mass extinction event.

In summary, there is no doubt that current human activities such as the creation of nuclear weapons, pollution, and destruction of wildlife, are harmful to the earth. It is important for us to see not only the short-term effects of our actions, but their long-term effects as well. Otherwise, human activities will be just another step towards destruction.

Transition signals

Examples

Addition

Contrast

Reason

Alternative

Conclude

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Checklist

Below is a checklist for transition signals. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

Item	OK?	Comment
There is good use of transition signals, without being overused (not every sentence!)
The grammar is correct (e.g. using sentence connectors to join sentences with a full-stop (period), using clause connectors to join two clauses, using other connectors correctly e.g. 'due to' + noun)
There are different types of transition signal

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