Using transition (linking) words 

A strong paragraph moves seamlessly from the topic sentence into the supporting sentences and on to the concluding sentence.

To help organise a paragraph and ensure that ideas logically connect to one another, writers use transitional words and phrases.

A transition is a connecting word that describes a relationship between ideas.  

Example paragraph 

Each of the highlighted words below is a transition word.

• At the beginning of each paragraph, you should aim to provide a clear topic sentence that tells the reader the subject of the paragraph, and also connects the paragraph with the previous paragraph or the main topic of the assignment. 

• Words such as first and second are transition words that show sequence or clarify order. They help organise the writer’s ideas by showing that he or she has another point to make in support of the topic sentence. Other transition words that show order include third, also, and furthermore.  

• The transition word because is a transition word of consequence that continues a line of thought. It indicates that the writer will provide an explanation of a result. In this sentence, the writer explains why hybrid cars will reduce dependency on fossil fuels (because they do not require petrol). Other transition words of consequence include as a result, so that, since, or for this reason.  

The conclusion

To include a summarising transition in her concluding sentence, the writer could rewrite the final sentence as follows: