Transitional Words and Phrases
| Type | Examples |
| Additive | additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, also important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then, not only . . . but also [these two are always used in pair!] |
| Comparative | also, in the same way, just as...so too, likewise, similarly |
| Exceptional | but, however, in spite of, on the one hand . . . on the other hand [always in pair!], nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet |
| Sequential | first, second, third, . . . next, then, finally |
| Chronological | after, afterwards, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then |
| Exemplary | for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate, that is |
| Emphatic | even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly [avoid "obviously," "clearly," "without question," and other expressions which nearly always indicate the speaker is trying to win agreement without considering important alternative reasoning] |
| Indicative | above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there |
| Causal | accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus |
| Conclusive or Reiterative | finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize [avoid the cliché "at the end of the day," which has now been emptied of significance by its clichéd use for "finally"] |
Adapted from Leonard J. Rosen, Decisions: A Writer's Handbook, 1st Edition (Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1998) 47.