TRANSITION

SIGNALS
Transition signals are useful in achieving good
cohesion and coherence in the texts. This
material gives information on what transition
signals are, the grammar of transition signals,
and different types of transition signals. There is
also an example essay at the end in which you
can identify the different types of transition
signal.
Transition signals are connecting words or
phrases that strengthen the internal cohesion of
the texts. Transition signals act like bridges
between parts of your writing. They link the
sentences and paragraphs together smoothly.
Transition signals also act like signposts making
it easier for the reader to follow the ideas. They
help carry over a thought from one sentence to
another.
 Grammar of Transition
Signals
Broadly speaking, transition signals can be
divided into three types: sentence connectors,
clause connectors, and other connectors.
Sentence connectors are used to connect two
sentences together. They are joined by a full-
stop (period) or semi-colon, and are followed by
a comma. The following are examples of
sentence connectors.
• Transition signals are very useful; however,
they should not be used to begin every
sentence.
• Contrast signals are one type of transition
signals. In addition, there are others such as
compare signals and addition signals.
• There are three main ways to improve
cohesion in your writing. First, you can use
transition signals.
Clause connectors are used to connect two
clauses together to form one sentence. They are
joined by a comma. The following are examples
of clause connectors.
• Transition signals are very useful, but they
should not be used to begin every sentence.
• Although transition signals are very useful,
they should not be used to begin every
sentence.
• Contrast signals are one type of transition
signal, and there are others such as compare
signals and addition signals.
Other connectors follow different grammar
patterns. Many are followed by noun phrases.
Some are verbs and should therefore be used as
verbs in a sentence. The following are examples
of other connectors.
• Despite their importance in achieving
cohesion, transition signals should not be
used to begin every sentence.
• Good cohesion is the result of using repeated
words, reference words, and transition signals.
• It is clear that careful use of transition signals
will improve the cohesion in your writing.
• Contrast signals are one type of transition
signal. Another type is comparison signals.
Types of Transition Signals
The following are examples of different types of
transition signals. They are divided by type, and
sub-divided according to grammar. More
information on some of these is given in
relevant essay sections.
1. To introduce an additional idea
 Sentence connectors
• also • in addition
• besides • moreover
• furthermore • additionally
  Clause connectors
• and
• nor
 Other
• another (+ noun)
• an additional (+ noun)
2. To compare
 Sentence connectors
• likewise • in the same
• similarly way
• equally
 Clause connectors

• and • neither... nor

 Other
• as... as • to be similar to
• like/alike • to be alike
• just like • to be similar
3. To contrast
 Sentence connectors
• however
• in contrast
• in/by comparison
• on the other hand
 Clause connectors
• however
• in contrast
• in/by comparison
• on the other hand
  Other
• compared to/with
• to be different (from)
• to be dissimilar
• to be unlike
• to differ (from)
4. To introduce an effect/result
 Sentence connectors
• as a result • therefore
• as a consequence
• consequently
• hence
• thus
  Clause connectors
• so
 Other
• to result in • to affect
• to cause • the cause of
• to have an effect on • the reason for
5. To give an example
 Sentence connectors
• for example
• for instance
• in this case
  Other
• such as (+ noun)
• Like
• an example of (+ noun)
• to demonstrate
6. To show chronological order
 Sentence connectors
• first, second, etc • then
• first of all • soon
• then • last
• next • finally
• now • previously
 • meanwhile
• gradually
• after that
• Since
• then
 Clause connectors
• after • when
• as • while
• as soon as
• before
• since
• until
  Other
• the first, the second
• the next, the last, the final
• before (lunch etc.)
• after (the war etc.)
• since (1999 etc.)
• in the year (2020 etc.)
7. To show chronological order
 Sentence connectors
• above all
• first and foremost
 • more/most importantly
• primarily
 Other
• a more important
• the most important
• the second most significant
• the primary
8. To show an alternative
 Sentence connectors
• alternatively
• otherwise
  Clause connectors
• or
• if
• unless
9. To show an alternative
 Sentence connectors
• that is
• in other words
• specifically
 Other
• namely
• i.e.
10.To reinforce
 Sentence connectors
• in fact
• indeed
• of course
• clearly
11.To conclude
 Sentence connectors
• all in all • in short
• in brief • in summary
• in conclusion
 Other
• to summarise
• to conclude
• it is clear that...
• we can see that...
• the evidence suggests...
• these examples show...
 Example Essay
Title: Consider whether human activity has
made the world a better place.
History shows that human beings have come a long
way from where they started. They have developed
new technologies which means that everybody can
enjoy luxuries they never previously imagined.
However, the technologies that are temporarily
making this world a better place to live could well
prove to be an ultimate disaster due to, among
other things, the creation of nuclear weapons,
increasing pollution, and loss of animal species.
The biggest threat to the earth caused by
modern human activity comes from the creation
of nuclear weapons. Although it cannot be
denied that countries have to defend
themselves, the kind of weapons that some of
them currently possess are far in excess of what
is needed for defense. If these weapons were
used, they could lead to the destruction of the
entire planet.
Another harm caused by human activity to this
earth is pollution. People have become reliant
on modern technology, which can have adverse
effects on the environment. For example,
reliance on cars causes air and noise pollution.
Even seemingly innocent devices, such as
computers and mobile phones, use electricity,
most of which is produced from coal-burning
power stations, which further adds to
environmental pollution. If we do not curb our
direct and indirect use of fossil fuels, the harm
to the environment may be catastrophic.
Animals are an important feature of this earth
and the past decades have witnessed the
extinction of a considerable number of animal
species. This is the consequence of human
encroachment on wildlife habitats, for example
deforestation to expand human cities. Some
may argue that such loss of species is natural
and has occurred throughout earth's history.
However, the current rate of species loss far
exceeds normal levels, and is threatening to
become a mass extinction event.
In summary, there is no doubt that current
human activities such as the creation of nuclear
weapons, pollution, and destruction of wildlife,
are harmful to the earth. It is important for us to
see not only the short-term effects of our
actions, but their long-term effects as well.
Otherwise, human activities will be just another
step towards destruction.
Types of Transition Signals in
the Text Above
• Contrast
• Reason
• Addition
• Examples
• Alternative
• Conclude