Do you struggle with how to start new paragraphs when you’re writing? As a general rule and to make things much easier, most paragraphs will begin with a transition. These words and phrases help show the relationship between the ideas you’re presenting. This way, the reader can follow your thoughts more easily. On the other hand, without transitions, your writing will be difficult to read and risks coming off like a scattered collection of ideas. So let’s take a look at how to improve your writing by starting them with transitions.

We’ll begin with what makes a paragraph and some things to consider when putting them together.

Organization

Determining an outline of the ideas you’ll present in your paper can save you time writing and will also let you consider how the ideas relate to each other and the topic of the paper. This also helps you choose what kind of transitions to use. Take a look at the example below to see what we mean.

Example Outline:

Thesis: Every student should take an art class.

Paragraph 1: To begin with, art classes are important for understanding history.

Detail : For example,…

P2: Moreover, if everyone takes art classes, then we can produce better entertainment.

Detail: As a result,

Conclusion: In summary, …..

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a section of writing that presents one single topic. It is usually made up of more than one sentence and begins on a new line with a transition. Put simply, well-written paragraphs begin with a topic sentence, several detail sentences on that topic and a closing sentence. To provide a bit more detail, well-written paragraphs have logical and verbal bridges as defined below. 

Logical bridges

The same idea carries over from sentence to sentence. 

Verbal bridges

• Key words can be repeated in several sentences
• Synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences
• Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences
• Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences

When do you start a new paragraph? 

There are three basic times in which you’ll want to start a new paragraph. 

• Introducing a new idea. 
• Beginning the introduction or conclusion.
• Giving your reader a break. 

Topic Sentences

Topic sentences define what a paragraph is about and are composed of three parts. 

Transition + topic + the central point of your paragraph

Example of a topic sentence

“However, homework does have its drawbacks.”

In this topic sentence, the transition “however” shows it contrasts with previous information. We can tell we’re talking about “homework” and being presented with the central point of “drawbacks” 

How do you choose what kind of transition to use? 

Like we said before, this will depend on the relationship between the previous paragraph and the paragraph you’re starting. 

Here are three questions you can ask yourself to choose the correct transition: 

Am I starting a paragraph that presents similar information to the one before?

Am I starting a paragraph that presents contrasting information which is in opposition to the one before?

Am I starting a paragraph that highlights the consequences of the previous paragraph’s information? 

Example Transitions

This isn’t a complete list, but the most common ones you’ll see. 

New idea/ Agreement

These transitions can be used to open a paragraph that covers another similar idea. 

To begin

To start

In addition

Additionally

Moreover

Furthermore

Next 

Similarly

First, second, third, 

On the same token

Contradiction/Opposition

These are words and phrases when you are beginning a paragraph that contrasts with previous paragraphs or at least presents alternatives. 

However

On the contrary 

In contrast

On the other hand

Nonetheless

Nevertheless

Regardless

In spite of ________

Be that as it may

Consequence

If you’re opening a new paragraph that builds off of the previous paragraph by showing a cause and effect relationship, you might use some of the phrases below that as part of an “adverb clause” (adverb clauses are phrases that like adverbs answer: how, when, where and to what extent) 

As a result of ___________,

As a consequence of_________,

With this in mind,___________

EXAMPLE
“As a result of the previously mentioned improvement in scores, teachers are considering whether to make assignments and tests more difficult.”

Conclusions

These transitions help you to signal that you’re closing out your paper. Keep in mind that conclusion paragraphs summarize or restate your thesis. 

In conclusion

To conclude

In summary

To sum up

In short

On the whole

Altogether

Wrap up

With this in mind, you have all of the parts you need to easily plan and start new paragraphs. Need help taking your writing to the next level? Contact us today for a free consultation. Have a friend who needs help too? Ask about group learning!

This blog originally appeared on our sister site. FLS Online.