Transitions are the means by which we connect ideas or points to one another. They are the means by which we tie sentences, paragraphs, and sections of our writing together. Transitions turn disconnected ideas into a cohesive whole.
As a writer, our goal is to communicate an idea or thought. But we can’t provide all of the facts and information at one time. We must do it in steps. Just as we can’t go from the first floor to the second floor in a single leap, we can’t take the reader from introduction to conclusion without intermediate steps. Transitions are the means of taking those steps smoothly and understandably.
There are many ways to transition from one idea or point to another. We can use single words or an entire paragraph. We can be direct and explicit, or we can be indirect and subtle. For example, let us say that we have told the reader that there are three main arguments in favor of a particular position. We can transition between the arguments by writing, “The first argument is…,” After we discuss that argument, we can write “The second argument is….” Following our discussion of that argument, we can write “The third argument is…” Or, we can be less direct and use transitions such as “In addition…” or “Further….”
Transitions can be more than just a clue to the reader that we are moving to a new idea. They can also indicate the relationship between the ideas or points. Transitions can indicate a relationship of time–one thing follows another (words such as then or after). Transitions can indicate a comparison (words such as likewise or similarly). Transitions can indicate causes (because), effects (as a result), contrasts (it was different), and numerous other relationships. The transition that we use tells the reader the relationship between two ideas or points. Transitions can tell the reader that one thing is the cause and another the effect. Transitions can tell the reader that one thing happens before, after, or at the same time as another thing.
When we are writing, we must do more than just give the reader information or ideas. We must also tell him how that information and those ideas are related. Transitions are the means for doing so.
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