Transition Words For Argumentative Essays - Detailed Guide
Mar 07, 2024
Introduction
Transition words are used in the essay to tie the ideas together in simple language. They also disclose organization patterns to help the readers follow along. For example, if we need to use words to add up an idea, we’ll include terms like ‘in addition,’ ‘further,’ ‘besides,’ etc. In an argumentative essay, the writer makes their stance clear by giving adequate vocabulary and trying to convince the audience using transition words in the write-up.
These words make the essay top-notch and ensure a flowy transition from one sentence to another. Hence, it is indeed important to choose them to enhance the readability of your content.
What is an Argumentative Essay?
It is a type of academic writing where one has to come up with a stance supporting your argument. An argumentative essay's fundamentals are investing time in research and presenting evidence for or against the topic.
What are Transition Words?
In essay writing, transition words are often used to build a relationship between phrases, sentences, and ideas. These argumentative words make it easier for the writer to push thoughts in a way that doesn't create ambiguity. Transition words are essential when we move from one idea to another; they ensure a flow transition in the essay.
An easier way to understand them is that they simply act as conjunctions. They join two entities, be it ideas, thoughts, or paragraphs. The purpose of such words is to present complex ideas most comprehensively. Transition words attempt to deliver the thoughts to the readers with rationality and clarity.
Do We Need Transition Words?
Yes, we need the transition words because they are generally the crux of a sentence. This is the decisive point where the readers can understand the sentence’s core message. Not every sentence possesses a transition word, but when it does, it is usually critical to a statement. It is used in an argumentative essay for the following reasons:
- Bind the entire paper together.
- Helps to signify the writer’s:
- Agreements
- Disagreements
- Conclusion
- Thoughts
- Contrasts
- Delivers the ideas with rationality.
- Helps the readers understand phrases, sentences, and the entire article easily.
- Make sure to add a flow in the article and integrate logic.
- Plays a significant role in organizing the writing; for example, using words like first, secondly, and additionally at the start of the sentence avoids ambiguity.
How to Use Transition Words?
The use of transition words can become spontaneous when used frequently in writing. This is how you should apply such words:
- These words are generally written at the start of any sentence or paragraph in an essay. It is followed by a comma. The motto is to connect the previous sentence and the next clause. Example: Nidhi was excited to attend the concert. However, she still had to finish packing.
- These words can also be used in the middle of a sentence. But, a word of caution: it should completely fit with the idea. Example: Nidhi, however, still had to finish packing.
- Do not repeatedly overuse these transition words in an argumentative essay. Words like whereas, however, although, but, etc. should not be used more than twice. The words become too clumpy.
- One should compare sentences and paragraphs with and without these words and then determine their importance.
There are different transition words for different situations. The following transition words will give you a brief idea about the scenarios:
- To give an example: for instance, as a case in point, in particular, specifically, to illustrate.
- To concede a point: granted, no doubt, naturally, of course.
- To highlight a point: above all, especially, most importantly, mainly, primarily, most significant.
- To summarize: overall, all in all, in brief, in other words, in conclusion.
- To qualify a point: perhaps, probably, as a case in point.
Transition Words: Time Relationship
The following are the transition words for an argumentative essay that signifies a time relationship:
- While
- Until
- Unless
- Soon
- Then
- Now
- In the meantime
- Meanwhile
- Last
- Now
- Since
- Before
- After
- To begin with
- Later
- Earlier
- After that
- At first
- Ending with
- Eventually
- Immediately
- Next
- Finally
- Following
- Soon
- Frequently
- Initially
- Simultaneously
- Currently
Transition Words: Starting a Paragraph
There are some words you can use to start a paragraph in an argumentative essay:
- To begin with
- Generally speaking
- Furthermore
- Additionally
- Moreover
- Besides
- First of all
- As seen
- Basically
- Secondly
- Lastly
- Earlier
- To be sure
- In addition
- Once and for all
- By the way
- Ask if you can see
- Firstly
Helpful Transition Words for Argumentative Essays
Here are some helpful transition words for argumentative essays:
| In contrast | For this reason |
| To put it differently | Otherwise |
| To show it | For |
| On the contrary | Otherwise |
| In another way | Accordingly |
| While | Because |
| At the same time | In order to |
| Chiefly | Because |
| Alternatively | Due to |
| Generally Speaking | While |
| As a result | Until |
| Another thing is to | Unless |
| Mainly | Then |
| After all | Now |
| But | To begin with |
| Similarly | Later |
| On the other hand | During |
| Henceforth | Eventually |
| As a result | Immediately |
| Therefore | Since |
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Working with transition words can be a little tricky. Especially when English isn't your primary language, one might use a word that doesn't have the right connotation. There are a few mistakes you can avoid while using a transition word:
- As well as: This phrase means 'and.' It is a synonym for “in addition to” and implies that the upcoming piece of information is less important than the preceding one. Whereas 'and' means they are equally important. For example:
- Chris and Samantha came over for dinner.
- I made mac and cheese as well as a bagged salad.
- Explicitly: Essentially and Explicitly are different. The former refers to a fundamental factor at a subject’s core, while the latter refers to something evident, with no room for misinterpretation. For example:
- Although they offer personal class, that gym is essentially an overpriced store.
- The gym’s website explicitly states that it will be closed till the 4th of May.
- Either: It implies only two choices. So if the choice is more than two, either will not be the best option. For example, this sentence: “We could go out for pizza, coffee, sushi, burgers or drinks. In either case, it works for me.” It has five elements in it, so either will not be used. Instead, we can replace either with ‘in any case.’
Writers tend to use transition words in inappropriate sentences. You can choose to pick a transition word depending on your type. It can range from casual to formal. So, using the right transition word in an argumentative essay is crucial to guarantee sentence flow.
Conclusion
All in all, transition words act as a bridge between parts of your essay. They are the cues that help the audience interpret their ideas. One should definitely use them to convey their information clearly and concisely.