Transition (linguistics)

A transition or linking word is a word or phrase that shows the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text or speech. Transitions provide greater cohesion by making it more explicit or signaling how ideas relate to one another. Transitions are, in fact, "bridges" that "carry a reader from section to section". Transitions guide a reader/listener through steps of logic, increments of time, or through physical space. Transitions "connect words and ideas so that readers don't have to do the mental work for ."
Transitions reveal the internal structure of an author's reasoning. While they are used primarily for rhetoric, they are also used in a strictly grammatical sense for structural composition, reasoning, and comprehension. Indeed, they are
an essential part of any language.
In simple terms, a transition word demonstrates the relationship between two portions of a text or spoken language. By using these words, people can better build a sentence and convey what they are trying to say in a more concise manner.

Categories

Transition words and phrases categories include: Conclusion, Continuation, Contrast, Emphasis, Evidence, Illustration and Sequence.
Each category serves its own function, as do the keywords inside of a given category.

Type	Signals	Examples
Conclusion or Causality	a summation of information	therefore; thus; in conclusion; believes; so; consequently; it can be seen that; can conclude that; claims that; all in all;
Continuation	more support for the same claim is coming up	and; also; moreover; furthermore; plus; in addition; at the same time; as well as; equally;besides; what is more; both...and; equally important; not only...but also
Contrast	a comparison of similarities and differences	but; despite; yet; however; alternatively; still; although; unless; otherwise; not; though; while; nevertheless; by contrast; notwithstanding; rather; conversely; in spite of; on the other hand; contrarily
Emphasis	what is considered important	I think; above all; essentially; clearly; most of all; especially; primarily; particularly; in large measure; indeed;
Evidence	an upcoming background	because; for; since; the reason is that;
Illustration/Exemplification	an example is being given as support for a claim.	for example; for instance; specifically; to illustrate; such as; In the words of; To "name"; For "name"; According to "name"; as "name" says,;
Sequence	there is a structure or order that has been formulated in the writing	Firstly,...,Secondly,...Thirdly,...Lastly; Next; Finally; On the one hand; Recently;

Coordinating transitions

Elements in a coordinate relationship are equal in rank, quality, or significance. They help to show a link between equal elements.

To show similarity or reinforce: also, and, as well as, by the same token, comparatively, correspondingly, coupled with, equally, equally important, furthermore, identically, in the light of, in the same fashion/way, likewise, moreover, not only... but also, not to mention, similarly, to say nothing of, together with, too, uniquely
To introduce an opposing point: besides, but, however, in contrast, neither, nevertheless, nor, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, yet
To signal a restatement: in other words, in simpler terms, indeed, that is, to put it differently

Subordinating transitions

To introduce an item in a series: finally, first, for another, for one thing, in addition, in the first place, in the second place, last, next, second, then
To introduce an example: for example, for instance, in particular, namely, specifically, that is
To show causality: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for, hence, since, so, then, therefore, thus
To introduce a summary or conclusion: actually, all in all, altogether, clearly, evidently, finally, in conclusion, of course, to sum up
To signal a concession: certainly, granted, it is true, naturally, of course, to be sure
To resume main argument after a concession: all the same, even though, nevertheless, nonetheless, still

Temporal transitions

To show frequency: again and again, day after day, every so often, frequently, hourly, now and then, occasionally, often
To show duration: briefly, during, for a long time, minute by minute, while
To show a particular time: at six o'clock, at that time, first thing in the morning, in 1999, in the beginning of August, in those days, last Sunday, next Christmas, now, then, two months ago, when
To introduce a beginning: at first, before then, in the beginning, since
To introduce a middle: as it was happening, at that moment, at the same time, in the meantime, meanwhile, next, simultaneously, then
To signal an end : afterward/afterwards, at last, eventually, finally, in the end, later

Spatial transitions

To show closeness: adjacent to, alongside, close to, facing, near, next to, side by side
To show long distance: away, beyond, far, in the distance, there
To show direction: above, across, along, away from, behind, below, down, in front of, inside, outside, sideways, to the left, to the right, toward/towards, up

Transition words of agreement, addition, or similarity

The transition words, such as also, in addition, and likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement with preceding material.

additionally
again
also
and
as
as a matter of fact
as well as
by the same token
comparatively
correspondingly
coupled with
equally
equally important
first
furthermore
identically
in addition
in like manner
in the first place
in the light of
in the same fashion/way
like
likewise
moreover
not only ... but also
not to mention
of course
second
similarly
then
third
to
to say nothing of
together with
too
uniquely
what's more