TRANSITIONAL PHRASES

The use of transitional phrases help to clarify the meaning and guide the reader from point to point throughout the essay. Additionally they provide the appearance of organization. Some helpful phrases follow:

To Clarify a sequence of events: first, second, third, next, finally, last
To show a similar relationship: similarly, in like manner, likewise
To point out a dissimilarity: in opposition to, in contrast to, on the other hand
To emphasize a point: indeed, in fact, surely, certainly
To show or point out a result: consequently, as a result, therefore, hence
To summarize a position: in summation, finally, in conclusion, in short
To illustrate a point: for example, by way of illustration, for instance
To contrast a position: on the other hand, however, but, yet, despite, although
To record time: now, gradually, later, eventually, immediately, at once, at this point, next, afterward, soon, then

Note how the transitional phrases affect the following paragraphs.

Without Transition Words: Lenin modified Marxism in several ways. He posited a tightly organized cadre of committed revolutionaries in place of the proletariat. He telescoped the agarian and industrial revolutions so that they could both take place in a limited time frame. With NEP he retreated on communism when expediency required that he make a partial regression. He was able to adapt Marxism to the unique conditions facing him in Russia. The November 1917 revolution and its success could not have been achieved without his revision.

With Transition Words: Lenin modified Marxism in several ways. First, he posited a tightly organized cadre of committed revolutionaries in place of the proletariat. Second, he telescoped the agarian and industrial revolutions so that they could both take place within a limited time frame. And last, with NEP he retreated on communism when expediency required that he make a partial regression. In short, he was able to adapt Marxism to the unique conditions facing him in Russia. Without such adaptations, the November 1917 revolution and its success could not have been achieved.