Transitions and Connectors

Words that make transitions and connections help unify and relate ideas. Below are some important transition and connecting words that a writer can consider using to promote the “flow” of an argument and strengthen a paper. For a more extensive list, consult Writing from A to Z, a book many of you purchased for your composition courses. Look under transitions.

1. To add information:  and    also    furthermore     in addition
2. To give examples:  for example     for instance
3. To show reason or cause:  because     since     hence     so     consequently     so     thus    as a result
4. To contrast:  although     even though     but     however     in contrast     nevertheless     on the other hand
5. To show similarity:  likewise     similarly
6. To emphasize:  in fact     in other words     moreover
7. Expressions:  not only . . . but also     both . . . and    either . . .or     neither . . . nor      whether . . . or   
                        so . . . that