Transitions, transition words, or transitional expressions, et cetera, are certain words, expressions, or other devices that give text

Written language

A written language is the representation of a language by means of a writing system. Written language is an invention in that it must be taught to children, who will instinctively learn or create spoken or gestural languages....

 or speech

Speech

Speech is the human faculty of speaking.It may also refer to:* Public speaking, the process of speaking to a group of people* Manner of articulation, how the body parts involved in making speech are manipulated...

 greater cohesion

Cohesion (linguistics)

Cohesion is the grammatical and lexical relationship within a text or sentence. Cohesion can be defined as the links that hold a text together and give it meaning. It is related to the broader concept of coherence...

by making it more explicit, or signaling, how ideas are meant by the writer or speaker to relate to one another.

Common transition words

Transitions can signal addition, example, contrast, comparison, concession, result, summary, time (often chronology), and place. The list transitions include the following: last, first, second, next, but, on the other hand, moreover, in addition, furthermore, however, to begin with, otherwise, conclusively, lastly, secondly, thirdly, most importantly, in conclusion, to end with, first of all, last of all, to sum it up, last but not least, lastly, finally, for example, and on top of all. (list incomplete)

Transitional paragraphs are devices used to bridge different topics discussed at length within the same essay or other piece of formal writing.

External links

• English Transitional Words Database 2.0 (ETWD)
• Transitional Words - A List with 2 page PDF for download.