Paragraph structure is one written element that develops cohesion and coherence in your writing. To master this writing principle, you must focus your attention and construct transitions that build internal cohesion between sentences and global coherence between paragraphs. Cohesion between sentences is similar to fitting jigsaw puzzle pieces together. Logically connecting your ideas creates a clear and distinct argument. Cohesive writing requires that you write smoothly and purposefully within a sentence, across sentences in a paragraph, and between paragraphs. To improve cohesion, transitions are an important organizational element in a written work that tells the reader what to do with the information they are given.

Transitions are useful to connect, move between, emphasize and/or provide sequence between your ideas and cited evidence. Here is a table of transitions categorized by their function:

Logical Relationship	Transitional Expression
Similarity	also, in the same way, just as, so, too, likewise, similarly
Example Norway is a unitary monarchy. *Likewise, Spain is also* a unitary monarchy.
Exception/Contrast	but, however, in spite of, on the one hand, … on the other hand, nevertheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Example As a general trend, electronegativity increases to the right on the periodic table. *However*, noble gases do not follow this rule because they do not have covalent bonds.
Sequence/Order	first, second, third, next, then, finally
Example *First, write the batting order before the start of play. Next, send your players to warm-up on the field. Finally*, play ball.
Time	after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then
Example In 1973, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album reached the top of the Billboard charts. The album *then* remained on the charts for 741 consecutive weeks from 1973 to 1988.
Emphasis	even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Despite the common belief that racial segregation began immediately following the Civil War, racial divisions did not occur until the 1890s. *In fact*, fears of solidarity between black and white working-class Americans fomented the systematic segregation of Southern populations that we now recall in the popular imagination.
Example	for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate
Example Some giant viruses have the ability to assemble proteins. *For instance*, Tupanvirus deep ocean and the Tupanvirus soda lake can synthesize all 20 standard amino acids.
Place/Position	above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Example The upper caste people of Kalambeshwar denied Indian laborer Bapuro Tajne’s wife water. Bapuro proceeded to dig her a well 15 feet *below* ground, which subsequently provided water for the entire village *nearby*.
Cause and Effect	accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Example Mortgage premium rates skyrocketed in the year 2008. Consequently, mortgage default rates rose sharply.
Additional Support or Evidence	additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Example Humans and canines share a deep bond. *Moreover*, ancient puppy remains from nearly 14,000 years ago prove a long history of domestication.
Conclusion/Summary	finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary
Example Scientific and political goals require that we make our concepts more precise. *In brief*, this means we must be open to revising our original, intuitive concepts.

Adapted from The Writing Centre (2018).

For more information on wording visit Søk og Skriv (Norwegian) or the Academic Phrasebank of Manchester University

For more information on Transitions between paragraphs, between sentences and within sentences, vist UNC’s Writing Centre

References

Williams, J. (2007). Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace. New York: Pearson.

The Writing Center. (2018). Transitions. Retrieved from https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/