All transitions serve a single purpose: they express a relationship between ideas. Key to understanding which transition will work best in a given situation is understanding the relationship between the two ideas one is trying to link with the transition.

Transitional Relationships and Words

Addition

also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly

Consequence

accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose, hence, otherwise, so then, subsequently, therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore

Generalizing

as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally, generally speaking, ordinarily, usually

Exemplifying

chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular, markedly, namely, particularly, including, specifically, such as

Illustration

for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration, illustrated with, as an example, in this case

Emphasis

above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly, singularly

Similarity

comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically, likewise, similar, moreover, together with

Exception

aside from, barring, besides, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of, save

Restatement

in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in short, in brief, to put it differently

Contrast and Comparison

contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise, on one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary, rather, similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in contrast

Sequence

at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time, for now, for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on, meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind,

Summarizing

after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by and large, in any case, in any event, in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short, in summary, in the final analysis, in the long run, on balance, to sum up, to summarize, finally

Diversion

by the way, incidentally

Direction

here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under, above, to the left, to the right, in the distance