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Study Section 18: Paragraph Transitions

18.1 Connect

Paragraph transitions show the reader how the paragraphs in an essay are connected to each
other. Transitions can also help the reader understand how each paragraph relates to the thesis.
Each idea in an essay should flow from the previous one, and all ideas should clearly relate to the
thesis.

18.2 Suggestions for Strong Transitions

 Put the transition at the beginning of the new paragraph instead of at the end of the
preceding paragraph.
Each paragraph should end with the ideas presented in that paragraph.

 Show how the new paragraph relates to the one before it.
The first half of the transition sentence should be about the previous paragraph, and the
second half should introduce the new ideas.
For example: “Not only were the rains insufficient during the growing season, but storms late
in the season caused damaging floods.”
This transition sentence recalls that the previous paragraph was about lack of rain. The
second half of the sentence introduces the new paragraph which will be about flooding.

 Use subordinators to strengthen transition sentences.
For example: "When food banks are insufficient, people often turn to local shelters."
Subordinators such as when, since, because, while, although, and as are all useful in
transitioning between paragraphs, but should not be the only thing that transitions from one
paragraph to the next.

Essay Example

Notice the differences in the following example with and without the transitions:
Without Transitions
I love short-term missions. I enjoy planning the trip and even the traveling itself. There are often
unfamiliar customs and cultures to experience, but meeting new people is the real reward. Serving God in
missions is the activity in life I love the most.

Going to another country requires planning. Ones passport must be up to date. A visa into the
country must be obtained, and the stipulations for that vary depending on the destination. Many times, one
has to get immunizations (I’ll admit those are not that enjoyable). Then the best route and airline must be
chosen, and of course the price must be considered. Even though the trip might take many hours or even
several days, the excitement of what God has in store makes the time pass quickly.

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