Module 2: Section 3

Transitions: Connecting your main ideas

View the Transitions tutorial to learn about making transitions between paragraphs in an essay.

Strong transitions between paragraphs create coherence and flow within an essay. Transitions help the reader to see more clearly the connections between ideas.

The topic sentence of each body paragraph in an essay should include an introduction of the new idea within the paragraph. Strong transitions between paragraphs create a seamless connection between the previous paragraph’s main points and the current main idea.

Transitions should be natural. Avoid clumsy transitions such as beginning a paragraph with "First," "Second," or "Third" to distinguish between ideas.

Think about what information the reader would need to have in order to see the links between paragraphs. Let’s take a look at some examples of effective transitions between paragraphs.

One very simple way of creating a transition is to refer to the previous paragraph by repeating the last idea.

Example #1 uses the last idea of the preceding paragraph, seen in bold:

… Finally, a third option presented itself. I could just succumb to the uncontrollable laughter that welled up inside. So, I stood up, waved to the departing bus, and broke into hysterics. Thus, I learned, one torrentially rainy day, how very important it is for me to be able to laugh at myself.

It's important for me to laugh at myself, because if I take myself too seriously, then I cannot benefit from experiences where the outcomes may be disappointing. Another experience in which I embarrassed myself…

Example #2 briefly repeats the key idea of the preceding paragraph, but with different language:

… Finally, a third option presented itself. I could just succumb to the uncontrollable laughter that welled up inside. So, I stood up, waved to the departing bus, and broke into hysterics. Thus, I learned, one torrentially rainy day, how very important it is for me to be able to laugh at myself.

This ability to be amused by my own antics prevents me from taking myself too seriously. This, in turn, allows me to benefit from experiences where the outcomes may be disappointing. Another experience in which I embarrassed myself…

Another way to avoid sounding repetitive is to use connecting expressions like those you read about in the slideshow "Transitions Within Paragraphs."

Example #3 uses a transition phrase:

… Finally, a third option presented itself. I could just succumb to the uncontrollable laughter that welled up inside. So, I stood up, waved to the departing bus, and broke into hysterics. Thus, I learned, one torrentially rainy day, how very important it is for me to be able to laugh at myself.

On the other hand, we have all had embarrassing experiences in which we have taken ourselves too seriously. This can rob us of the benefits of experiences where the outcomes may be disappointing. I had such an experience when I embarrassed myself yet again…