5.4 Using transitions

2 min read•june 18, 2024

Hayley Potter

AP English Language ✍🏽

224 resources

See Units

Using Transitions

Transitions for additional information is when two similar ideas are connected

Using transitions helps your essay flow. Of course we can read an essay without transitions, but would it be as enjoyable? No.

Transitions guide one idea to the next, these connectors or bridges from one concept to the next. This helps your audience go from thought to thought without getting confused or seemingly abruptly changing the topic.

Below are some transition words listed under the category they fit best in. Depending on your goal, the word you take will give your reader a conclusion or assumption on your own thought process on an issue. Some lead readers to an idea while others make a reader question an idea.

Transition for supporting infdormation is when it connects two ideas when one is an example or clarification of the other

Sequence of Events Transition is when it connects different events based on their relationship to each other in terms of time.

For continuing a common line of reasoning:

in this same light

following the same logic

furthermore

Additionally

See…don’t just use “and” it’s boring.

To change the line of reasoning or contrast:

nevertheless

on the contrary

over and above all this

despite all this

For opening a paragraph initially or for general use:

granted

no doubt

nobody denies

obviously

of course

For the final points of a paragraph or essay:

finally

lastly

ultimately

considering these facts/ideas/points

These are just a few quick examples taken from an extensive AP LANG. transition guide. If your in need for more examples check out this pdf of the larger chart: http://echaset.weebly.com/uploads/9/1/5/9/9159298/transition_words.pdf

Browse Study Guides By Unit

🤔Exam Skills

🥇Unit 1 – Claims, Reasoning, & Evidence

🗂️Unit 2 – Organizing Information for a Specific Audience

👀Unit 3 – Perspectives & How Arguments Relate

🔚Unit 4 – How writers develop arguments, intros, & conclusions

🎀Unit 5 – How a writer brings all parts of an argument together

5.0Unit 5 Overview

5.1Developing commentary throughout paragraphs

5.3Using modifiers to qualify an argument and convey perspective

5.4Using transitions

👥Unit 6 – Position, Perspective, & Bias