Which two transitional expressions can indicate a summary or conclusion

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Sample transition words and phrases
Sample paragraph with transitions
How are transition signals useful?
How are transition signals used?
Which transition signals can I use?

Transitions are connecting words or phrases that strengthen the internal cohesion of your writing. Transition words tell the reader how one idea relates to another. Using them appropriately makes your argument more convincing because the reader is able to understand the flow between and within paragraphs, including the relationship between different ideas, evidence, and analysis.

Sample transition words and phrases

additionally
again
also
another
as well as
besides
coupled with
further
furthermore
equally important
in addition
likewise
moreover

accordingly
after
as consequence
as a result
at that time
before
concurrently
consequently
finally
followed by
for this purpose
for this reason
hence
initially
next
otherwise
previously
so then
subsequently
then
therefore
thus

as well as
comparatively
conversely
correspondingly
coupled with
in the same way
likewise
moreover
on the one han
similar
similar to
similarly
together with
whereas
while

a different view is
admittedly
albeit
alternatively
although
and (yet)
conversely
despite/in spite of (+ noun)
differing from
even so
even though
granted
however
in contrast
instead
it could also be said that
nevertheless
notwithstanding (+ noun)
nonetheless
on the contrary
on (the) one hand
on the other hand
otherwise
rather
regardless of (+ noun)
still
unlike
whereas

above all
especially
in fact
in particular
indeed
particularly

as an example
as an illustration
chiefly
for example
for instance
illustrated by
in particular
in the/this case
including
markedly
namely
notably
on this occasion
specifically
such as
to demonstrate
to illustrate

after all
all things considered
at the same time
clearly
in brief
in essence
in fact
in other words
in short
indeed
it seems
namely
naturally
of course
on the whole
that is
that is to say
to be sure
to put it differently

after
at that time
before
concurrently
finally
followed by
first, second, third, etc.
initially
next
previously
subsequently
then

after all
as a result
briefly
by and large
consequently
finally
hence
in any case
in any event
in brief
in conclusion
in short
in other words
in summary
on the whole
overall
therefore
thus
to conclude
to sum up
to summarize
ultimately

after
afterward
at length
at that/this point
at that/this time
at present
at the same time
before
currently
during
earlier
finally
formerly
immediately
in the future
in the meantime
in the past
initially
later
meanwhile
now
presently
previously
prior to
recently
shortly
simultaneously
soon
subsequently
then
thereafter

Sample paragraph with transitions

Pay attention to how the following transitions were used in the paragraph below: while, currently, in fact, however, and ultimately. Without transitions, the ideas would not be as easily connected.

While qualitative data is helpful in gauging graduate student responses to Boot Camp, it is also crucial that we undertake data-driven analysis to support the value of the four-day writing event. Currently, quantitative measures of satisfaction of Dissertation Boot Camp participants are tracked in two ways: through a formal survey posted through SurveyMonkey and an informal survey that is handwritten at the end of the Camp. In fact, to ensure reliable data for analysis, the SurveyMonkey questionnaire is filled out by students at three different times: before Camp, on the first day of Camp, and 30 days after Camp. The decision to send the survey at three different times was made in order to ensure that attitudes prior to Camp matched attitudes on the first day, and to then compare that to results after Camp. However, the current survey questions are somewhat informal, and none have been psychometrically tested. In order to improve the reliability and usefulness of the collected data, we will need to revise some of our Likert-scale based questions using currently-available test questions from other indices. Ultimately, this combination of quantitative and qualitative data will help us to make decisions about the program as it is offered in subsequent semesters.

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Transition signals are linking words or phrases that connect your ideas and add cohesion to your writing. They signpost or indicate to the reader the relationships between sentences and between paragraphs, making it easier for the reader to understand your ideas. We use a variety of transition signals to fulfil a number of functions. Some of these functions include: to show the order or sequence of events; to indicate that a new idea or an example will follow; to show that a contrasting idea will be presented, or to signal a summary or a conclusion.

How are transition signals useful?

Transition signals will:

• make it easier for the reader to follow your ideas.

• create powerful links between sentences and paragraphs to improve the flow of information across the whole text. The result is that the writing is smoother.

• help to carry over a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another or from one paragraph to another.

How are transition signals used?

• Transition signals are usually placed at the start of sentences; however, they may also appear in the middle or end of sentences.

• A transition signal, or the clause introduced by a transition signal, is usually separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

• You DO NOT need to use transition signals in every sentence in a paragraph; however, good use of transition words will help to make the relationship between the ideas in your writing clear and logical.

Which transition signals can I use?

Before choosing a particular transition signal to use, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure that it's the right match for the logic in your paper. Transition signals all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations.

• To introduce an example:

specifically	in this case	to illustrate	for instance
for example	one example of this is	to demonstrate	on this occasion

• To introduce an opposite idea or show exception:

alternatively	in contrast	on the other hand	but
despite	in spite of	still	instead
whereas	even though	nevertheless	while
however	one could also say	yet

• To show agreement:

accordingly

in accordance with

• To introduce an additional idea:

additionally	as well as	in addition	again
also	besides	moreover	equally important
and	furthermore	one could also say	further
and then

• To indicate sequence or order, or logically divide an idea:

after	eventually	previously	next
finally	first	second	third
at this point	followed by	subsequently	simultaneously
at this time	last	concurrently	ultimately
before	meanwhile	and then

• To indicate time:

after	earlier	previously	later
at this point	finally	prior to	formerly
soon	at this time	immediately	then
before	initially	thereafter	during

• To compare:

likewise	like	just like	another way to view this
by comparison	balanced against	whereas	while
similarly

• To contrast:

a different view is	even so	nevertheless	yet
balanced against	in contrast	still	however
but	on the contrary	unlike	notwithstanding
conversely	on the other hand	differing from

• To show cause and effect:

and so	consequently	therefore	as a consequence
as a result	for this reason	thus	hence

• To summarise or conclude:

as a result	in conclusion	therefore	as shown
in other words	thus	consequently	in summary
to conclude	finally	on the whole	to summarise
hence	summing up	ultimately	in brief

Example

The example below illustrates how transition signals can be used to improve the quality of a piece of writing. Note how the ideas flow more smoothly and the logical relationships between the ideas are expressed clearly.

At HELPS, we endeavour to support UTS students in a number of ways. First, we offer 15-minute ‘drop in’ sessions with a HELPS Advisor. Making an appointment for these sessions is not necessary. Here, students can gain assistance with their academic writing and presentation skills. Specifically, students may ask for assistance with: understanding an assignment question; understanding assessment criteria; clarifying an assignment type (e.g. what’s a literature review?); planning for an assignment; strategies for effective reading/note-taking skills; and obtaining information from self-study resources. During this time, the HELPS Advisor may refer students for a longer, 40-minute consultation. Students cannot, however, book one-to-one advice sessions online; only a HELPS Advisor can do that.

Getting one-to-one advice is an opportunity for an in-depth discussion with a HELPS Advisor in relation to your specific needs on an assessment. For example, you may require assistance preparing for an oral presentation. Alternatively, you may ask a HELPS Advisor to discuss a draft of an assignment to ensure that you have addressed the assessment criteria. While HELPS Advisors cannot edit your work, they can point out persistent errors in your text and show you how to correct these. In other words, they can help you to edit your own work.

In brief, there are many ways that HELPS can support UTS students. Students are encouraged to drop by the HELPS office which is situated in Building 1, level 5, room 25.

Sources:

The Learning Centre 2013, Transition signals in writing, UNSW, viewed 20 September 2013,
< https://student.unsw.edu.au/transition-signals-writing>.

Unilearning 2000, Transition signals, UOW, viewed 20 September 2013,
< http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/effective/6c.html>.