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A List of Transition Words to Use for Argumentative Essays
Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.
Writing an argumentative essay requires a lot of effort aside from research. Besides grammar and structure, you definitely need to make sure your essay is coherent by using transitions.
Argumentative essay transition words allow you to wrap up a piece of evidence to support your main point and then move on to another. Keep reading for tips and an exhaustive list of transition words I put together for your argumentative essays.
What Is a Transition Word?
A transition word is critical to producing quality content. Also known as linking words, transition words make basic connections between sentences and paragraphs to show a relationship between ideas.
A strong transition is crucial when writing an essay. It’s not enough that you provide complete information about your main points and supporting details. You also have to make your argument attractive and logical by using transitions in your academic essay.
The absence of transition words will make your paper less readable and understandable. But too many transitions can also ruin your piece. Use them in moderation to avoid confusion about your document.
Function and Importance of Transitions
The goal of transition words is to convey ideas clearly and concisely to your readers. If you’re writing an argumentative paper, you want to make logical connections in your document to prove your central point.
Transitional phrases and words help you produce a logical flow from one sentence or paragraph to another. In other words, they introduce what the following information will be. Some transitions come in single words, while others come in complete phrases and sentences.
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There are many categories of transitions, including those that present counterarguments and others that build on your arguments. Be careful about using the wrong transition. Otherwise, you won’t achieve your goal of clarity and conciseness. Consider these examples.
- “ For instance , an anonymous TikTok user reports having a shorter attention span because of its over-swiping feature.” (In this sentence, for instance is used to provide an example).
- “ Here’s an exception to my previous point. ” (This entire sentence is a transition, showing a logical connection between the previous and following sentences).
Transition can also be a sentence to a paragraph long. I’ll show you an example.
Paragraph A: A point that supports co-sleeping as a parenting method.
Transition: Despite this, there are many reasons that prove co-sleeping leads to sleep-related accidents.
Paragraph B: Points that oppose co-sleeping.
Types of Transition Words
There are several types of transitions you can use for making high-quality essays.
Transition Between Paragraphs
A type of transition required for a well-written essay is one you can find between paragraphs. Once you’ve arranged each paragraph according to your outline, it’s important to start each with an effective transition. This word or phrase is usually present in the topic sentence of the body.
Some examples include however, similarly, and for example. But these transition expressions cannot be a single sentence long. The initial sentence of every paragraph should be clear and substantial instead of simply connecting ideas.
Transition Within Paragraphs
Creating a powerful transition within every paragraph of your academic papers avoids choppy sentences. It provides a sense of connection between complex ideas to help readers anticipate what is coming.
These are usually single words or short phrases like in addition, since, and if.
Transition Between Sections
The last type of transition phrases and sentences are those between sections. You’ll find them all over the entire paper to summarize the information. They can be restatements of arguments or a short closing sentence to ensure the flow of ideas.
What Is an Argumentative Essay?
It’s a type of essay that requires you to research a subject matter and establish a position for or against it.
Aside from researching and evaluating evidence, showing a relationship between sentences and sections is essential when writing a paper. This will allow you to wrap up an idea and then start another. You must cite different sources to support your point of view, then show counterarguments.
The entire essay should include an introduction, a conclusion, and at least three body paragraphs.
How Do You Start an Argumentative Essay?
Every type of paper starts with an introduction, which usually includes a hook, background, and thesis statement.
The common essay introduction piques the reader’s interest through a surprising statistic or an interesting question. Provide readers with a background of your entire content piece, then state your main argument in a clear sentence.
Transition expressions are not yet essential in this stage of essay writing. Focus on setting up your point and discussing how you will argue it throughout the paper.
Common Transitions for Argumentative Essay Writing
Take a look at this list of transitional words and phrases commonly used to make strong arguments.
- Additionally
- In addition
- Not only… but also
- In the same way
- Comparatively
- Furthermore
- Equally important
Counterargument Transition Words
Here’s a transition word list for essays showing different sides of an argument.
- While it is true that
- Nevertheless
- Despite this
- On the other hand
- Be that as it may
- Even though
- Although this may be true
Transition Words and Phrases for Comparing and Contrasting
Here’s a breakdown of transition words and phrases you can use when comparing and contrasting.
- In spite of
- On the contrary
- Different from
- In contrast
Transition Words to Include in Your College Essay
Here are some examples of transition words you can use when applying for college admission or scholarship.
- To put it in another way
- To demonstrate
- As an illustration
- By all means
- In other words
Transition Words for Cause and Effect
Consider this transition word list when showing cause and effect.
- As a result
- For this reason
- Consequently
- Accordingly
- Under those circumstances
- Because the
Transition Words for Essay Paragraphs
- At the present time
- In due time
- To begin with
- All of a sudden
- Immediately
- In a moment
Transitions to Emphasize a Point
- Most of all
- The main problem/issue is
- Without question
- More importantly
- Most important of all
Transition Words for Additional Support or Evidence
Transition words for sequence or order, transition words for space or place.
- In the middle of
- In the distance
- In the background
- Here and there
- On the side
To Cite a Source or Paraphrase
- According to
- This means that
- Put it more simply
Transition Words to Begin a Body Paragraph
- What is more
- Beyond that
Transition Words to Introduce Details
- For example
- As an example
- For instance
- A case in point
- Specifically
- In particular
- More specifically
Transition Words for Conclusion
- As can be seen
- By and large
- On the whole
- To summarize
- In the final analysis
- Generally speaking
More Transition Words
- With this intention
- In order to
- In the hope that
- With this in mind
- For the purpose of
- Provided that
Tips for Using Argumentative Essay Transitions
Follow these tips to improve your use of transitions in your essay.
Know What the Transitions Mean
Non-native speakers may need help knowing the meaning of every transition expression, so research every term before using it.
There are also many categories of transition words. You can use them to summarize points, show contradictions, express sequence, or begin a paragraph.
Start Your Essay with an Outline
Writing an outline will make it easier to map your ideas and move them around. This strategy will help you transition between paragraphs.
Don’t Overuse Transitions
The last mistake you shouldn’t make is overuse. Instead of making connections between sentences, you’ll make your paper more difficult to read. It creates more incoherence and distraction in your writing, contradicting its intended purpose in your paper.
Use Transition Words Properly
Now you know how to use transition words and phrases for your argumentative essay through this guide and list. These expressions will help you produce a coherent relationship between every idea.
Mastering transitions for your essay may not be a piece of cake, but practice makes perfect. Don’t forget to revise and proofread your argumentative before submitting it to your professor.
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70+ Transition words for essays with examples
Transition words for essays.
Ever stared at a blank page, your thoughts swirling like a disorganized storm? Crafting a compelling essay often hinges on smooth transitions between ideas. Fear not, fellow writer! Here’s your guide to essential transition words , those linguistic gems that bridge the gaps in your essay and create a clear, logical flow.
List of Transition words for essays
- Additionally
- Furthermore
- In addition
- In the same way
- In other words
- That is to say
- For example
- For instance
- Specifically
- To illustrate
- In particular
- Without a doubt
- Essentially
- In conclusion
- To conclude
- On the whole
- Consequently
- Accordingly
- As a result
- For this reason
- Because of this
- Due to this
- In light of this
- Considering that
- Seeing that
- As a matter of fact
- Nonetheless
- Nevertheless
- Even though
- In spite of
- On the contrary
Transition words for essays with examples
Here are examples of sentences using each of the transition words for cause:
- Additionally : “She enjoys playing the piano. Additionally, she is proficient in playing the guitar.”
- Furthermore : “The research indicated a positive correlation between exercise and mental health. Furthermore, it suggested that regular physical activity reduces stress levels.”
- Moreover : “The company reported an increase in sales for the third quarter. Moreover, profits also saw a significant rise.”
- In addition : “He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. In addition, he is passionate about photography.”
- Also : “He enjoys playing tennis. Also, he participates in swimming competitions.”
- Likewise : “She volunteered at the local shelter. Likewise, her brother also dedicated his time to community service.”
- Similarly : “The team implemented new strategies to improve productivity. Similarly, other departments adopted similar approaches.”
- In the same way : “She excels in academics. In the same way, her siblings also achieve high grades.”
- Equally : “Both candidates possess strong leadership skills. Equally, they demonstrate excellent communication abilities.”
- Besides : “She enjoys reading novels. Besides, she also enjoys writing short stories.”
- In other words : “The product received mixed reviews due to its functionality issues. In other words, customers experienced difficulties with its performance.”
- That is to say : “She loves traveling to exotic destinations. That is to say, she prefers exploring off-the-beaten-path locations.”
- Namely : “The research focused on several key areas, namely, customer satisfaction, product quality, and market trends.”
- For example : “Many countries have implemented strict environmental policies. For example, Denmark has achieved significant progress in renewable energy.”
- For instance : “Some popular social media platforms, for instance, Facebook and Instagram, have millions of active users.”
- Specifically : “The training program focuses specifically on enhancing leadership skills and fostering teamwork.”
- To illustrate : “To illustrate the concept further, let’s consider a real-life example.”
- In particular : “The company aims to expand its operations globally. In particular, it plans to target emerging markets in Asia.”
- In fact : “Contrary to popular belief, exercise is not only beneficial for physical health but also for mental well-being. In fact, it has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.”
- Indeed : “The company’s efforts to promote diversity have yielded positive results. Indeed, diversity has been linked to increased innovation and creativity.”
- Actually : “Contrary to what many people believe, the situation is actually quite different.”
- Truly : “She was truly dedicated to her work and always gave her best effort.”
- Certainly : “The results of the study certainly support the hypothesis.”
- Of course : “Of course, you are welcome to join us for dinner.”
- Without a doubt : “Without a doubt, she is one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever met.”
- In essence : “The policy change, in essence, aims to improve customer satisfaction.”
- Essentially : “The project, essentially, involves redesigning the user interface.”
- In summary : “In summary, the findings suggest a need for further research in this area.”
- In conclusion : “In conclusion, it is evident that climate change poses significant challenges.”
- To sum up : “To sum up, the main points of the argument are as follows.”
- In brief : “In brief, the report highlights key areas for improvement.”
- To conclude : “To conclude, let’s consider the implications of these findings.”
- Overall : “Overall, the project was a success.”
- All in all : “All in all, it was a memorable experience.”
- On the whole : “On the whole, the feedback has been positive.”
- Therefore : “The traffic was heavy; therefore, they arrived late to the meeting.”
- Thus : “The factory implemented new safety measures; thus, the number of accidents decreased.”
- Hence : “The flight was canceled; hence, they had to make alternative travel arrangements.”
- Consequently : “He missed the deadline; consequently, he faced disciplinary action.”
- Accordingly : “The instructions were unclear; accordingly, many participants made mistakes.”
- As a result : “The market demand increased; as a result, prices rose.”
- For this reason : “She forgot her umbrella; for this reason, she got wet in the rain.”
- Because of this : “He missed the train because of this, he couldn’t attend the meeting.”
- Due to this : “Due to this unforeseen circumstance, the event had to be postponed.”
- In light of this : “In light of this new information, we need to reconsider our strategy.”
- Since : “Since it was raining heavily, they decided to stay indoors.”
- Because : “He didn’t study for the exam because he was feeling unwell.”
- For : “He received a promotion for his outstanding performance.”
- As : “As the temperature dropped, people bundled up in warm clothing.”
- Owing to : “Owing to his persistent efforts, he achieved success.”
- Given that : “Given that she had prior experience, she was appointed as the team leader.”
- Considering that : “Considering that it was his first attempt, he performed exceptionally well.”
- Seeing that : “Seeing that the store was closing soon, they hurried to finish their shopping.”
- In view of : “In view of the current situation, we need to take immediate action.”
- As a matter of fact : “As a matter of fact, he was the first to arrive at the party.”
- Regardless : “He continued with the project regardless of the challenges he faced.”
- Nonetheless : “The weather was unfavorable; nonetheless, they decided to go ahead with the outdoor event.”
- Nevertheless : “The plan faced criticism; nevertheless, it was implemented successfully.”
- However : “She forgot her passport; however, she managed to board the flight with a temporary permit.”
- Although : “Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk.”
- Though : “Though she was tired, she continued working late into the night.”
- Even though : “Even though he was warned about the risks, he proceeded with the plan.”
- Despite : “Despite the challenges, they remained committed to their goal.”
- In spite of : “In spite of the obstacles, they persevered and succeeded.”
- On the contrary : “The results were contrary to expectations; on the contrary, they were favorable.”
- Conversely : “He expected to feel relieved; conversely, he felt even more anxious.”
- But : “The weather was sunny, but they decided to cancel the picnic due to other commitments.”
- Yet : “He had a busy schedule, yet he managed to find time for his hobbies.”
- Whereas : “She preferred coffee, whereas her sister preferred tea.”
By mastering the art of transition words, you’ll transform your essay from a disjointed collection of ideas into a powerful and persuasive piece of writing. So, the next time you sit down to write, remember these transition words and watch your essay flow majestically!
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Transition Words For Essays
Transition Words for Essays - An Ultimate List
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Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024
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Are you tired of reading essays that feel disjointed and difficult to follow? Do you find yourself struggling to connect your ideas smoothly and effectively?
If so, then you're in luck, because today we're going to take a closer look at the magic of transition words.
In this blog, we'll cover different types of transition words and their precise usage, and how they can elevate your writing. By the end, you'll have the tools to captivate your readers and leave a lasting impression.
Let's dive in!
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What are Transition Words?
Transition words are linking words used to connect sentences and ideas in the content. They help the audience move from one idea to another, building a coherent relationship within the document.
When writing an essay , it is essential to make sure that the information provided is readable and understandable by the readers. For this purpose, explicit language, transition words, and phrases are used.
Moreover, these words set a base for the idea that is going to be discussed next.
Transition words can either make or break the entire essay. It is mandatory to keep in view that not every sentence in your essay needs a transitional phrase.
Types of Transitions
Generally, there are three types of transitions that are used while drafting a piece of document. Depending on the length, complexity, and kind of text, transitions can take the following form:
- Transition Between Sections - When your document is lengthy, transition paragraphs are used to summarize a particular section for the readers. In addition to this, it also links the information that is to be shared next.
For example:
"In the following section..." "Moving on to..." "Now, let's explore..." "Turning our attention to..." "To delve deeper, we will now examine..."
- Transition Between Paragraphs - The transition between paragraphs is when you logically connect the two paragraphs. This connection summarizes the paragraphâs primary concern and links it to the next idea of the other paragraph.
"Furthermore..." "On the other hand..." "Similarly..." "In contrast..." "Moreover..." "Additionally..." "In addition to..." "Conversely..." "Likewise..." "In a similar vein...
- Transition Within Paragraphs - They act as cues for the readers to prepare them for what is coming next. They are usually single words or small phrases.
"For instance..." "In particular..." "To illustrate..." "Additionally..." "Moreover..." "Furthermore..." "On the contrary..." "However..." "In contrast..." "In other words..."
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Types of Transition Words
Here's a table showcasing different types of transition words and their corresponding functions:
Transition Words For Different Types of Essays
Transitional words depend on the relationship you want to convey to the audience about the ideas and paragraphs. Below is a list of words and phrases that can be used to link different sentences, paragraphs, and sections.
Identify which transition expression you want to share for your logical relationship.
Transition Words for Argumentative Essay
- In the same way
- Equally important
- Furthermore
- Comparatively
- Additionally
- In addition
- Not only...but also
Transition Words for Compare and Contrast Essay
- In contrast
- Different from
- On the contrary
- In spite of
Transition Words for Informative Essay
- Provided that
- With this in mind
- For the purpose of
- In the hope that
- In order to
- With this intention
Transition Words for College Essays
- In other words
- By all means
- To demonstrate
- As in illustration
- To put it another way
Transition Words for Cause and Effect Essay
- As a result
- For this reason
- Because the
- Under those circumstances
- Accordingly
- Consequently
Transition Words for Expository Essay
- Not long after that
- Specifically
- To begin with
- Without doubt
- Undoubtedly
- Due to circumstances
- In similar fashion
Transition Words for Different Parts of Essay
Here's a table listing transition words for different parts of an essay:
How Transitions work
Transitions work by creating a bridge between ideas, sentences, paragraphs, or sections in your essay. They help to establish logical connections and guide the reader through the flow of your writing.
Here's how transitions work:
- Coherence : Transitions create smooth connections between ideas, ensuring a coherent flow in your writing.
- Signal Relationships: Transitions clarify how ideas are related, such as cause and effect, comparison, contrast, or sequence.
- Guide the Reader: It acts as signpost, guiding readers through your essay and indicating the direction of your thoughts.
- Enhance Clarity: Transitions improve clarity by organizing ideas and helping readers understand logical progression.
- Improve Flow: It ensures a seamless flow between sentences, paragraphs, and sections, preventing choppiness.
- Emphasize Key Points: Transitions can be used strategically to highlight important ideas and make them more impactful.
Let's consider an example:
In the above example, transitions like " one such source " connect the idea of solar power to renewable energy sources. " Similarly " then introduces the concept of wind power, creating a logical progression. These transitions help readers follow the flow of ideas and understand the relationships between different energy sources.
Tips to Use Transition Words in your Essay
Here are some tips to effectively use transition words in your essay:
- Understand the Purpose: Familiarize yourself with the different types and functions of transition words, phrases, or sentences. Recognize how they connect ideas, provide structure, and indicate relationships between different parts of your essay.
- Plan your Essay Structure: Before you start writing, outline the main sections, paragraphs, and points you want to cover. Consider where transition words can be used to improve the flow and coherence of your essay.
- Use Transition Words Appropriately: Ensure that the transition word you choose accurately reflects the relationship between ideas. Don't force a transition where it doesn't fit naturally.
- Vary Transition Words: Avoid repetitive or excessive use of the same transition word throughout your essay. Use a variety of transition words to maintain reader interest and enhance overall readability.
- Pay Attention to Placement: Place transition words at the beginning, middle, or end of sentences, depending on the desired effect. Consider the logical flow of your ideas and choose the appropriate placement for each transition word.
- Use Transitional Phrases: Instead of using single transition words, consider incorporating transitional phrases or clauses. These can provide more context and clarity, strengthening the connection between ideas.
- Revise and Edit: After completing your essay, review it for the effectiveness and smoothness of transitions. Ensure that they serve their purpose in guiding the reader and enhancing the overall coherence of your writing.
- Seek Feedback: Share your essay with others and ask for feedback, specifically on the use of transition words. Others' perspectives can help you identify any areas that need improvement or where transitions could be strengthened.
To sum it up! While mastering transition words may require time and practice, it is a skill well worth developing. These words are crucial for creating coherence and flow in your essays. Throughout this blog, we have explored various transition words and phrases that can greatly enhance your writing.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to apply these newfound skills in your future essays. You can utilize an AI essay writer to enhance and refine your writing skills.
If you still need assistance or have further inquiries, our team at CollegeEssay.org is available to provide legit essay writing service .
Contact us today, and let us be a part of your journey toward academic excellence!
Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)
Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.
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Transitional Words and Phrases
One of your primary goals as a writer is to present ideas in a clear and understandable way. To help readers move through your complex ideas, you want to be intentional about how you structure your paper as a whole as well as how you form the individual paragraphs that comprise it. In order to think through the challenges of presenting your ideas articulately, logically, and in ways that seem natural to your readers, check out some of these resources: Developing a Thesis Statement , Paragraphing , and Developing Strategic Transitions: Writing that Establishes Relationships and Connections Between Ideas.
While clear writing is mostly achieved through the deliberate sequencing of your ideas across your entire paper, you can guide readers through the connections you’re making by using transitional words in individual sentences. Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between your ideas and can help your reader understand your paper’s logic.
In what follows, we’ve included a list of frequently used transitional words and phrases that can help you establish how your various ideas relate to each other. We’ve divided these words and phrases into categories based on the common kinds of relationships writers establish between ideas.
Two recommendations: Use these transitions strategically by making sure that the word or phrase you’re choosing matches the logic of the relationship you’re emphasizing or the connection you’re making. All of these words and phrases have different meanings, nuances, and connotations, so before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely, and be sure that it’s the right match for your paper’s logic. Use these transitional words and phrases sparingly because if you use too many of them, your readers might feel like you are overexplaining connections that are already clear.
Categories of Transition Words and Phrases
Causation Chronology Combinations Contrast Example
Importance Location Similarity Clarification Concession
Conclusion Intensification Purpose Summary
Transitions to help establish some of the most common kinds of relationships
Causation– Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s).
accordingly as a result and so because
consequently for that reason hence on account of
since therefore thus
Chronology– Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.
after afterwards always at length during earlier following immediately in the meantime
later never next now once simultaneously so far sometimes
soon subsequently then this time until now when whenever while
Combinations Lists– Connecting numerous events. Part/Whole– Connecting numerous elements that make up something bigger.
additionally again also and, or, not as a result besides even more
finally first, firstly further furthermore in addition in the first place in the second place
last, lastly moreover next second, secondly, etc. too
Contrast– Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.
after all although and yet at the same time but
despite however in contrast nevertheless nonetheless notwithstanding
on the contrary on the other hand otherwise though yet
Example– Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.
as an illustration e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”)
for example for instance specifically that is
to demonstrate to illustrate
Importance– Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.
chiefly critically
foundationally most importantly
of less importance primarily
Location– Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.
above adjacent to below beyond
centrally here nearby neighboring on
opposite to peripherally there wherever
Similarity– Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.
by the same token in like manner
in similar fashion here in the same way
likewise wherever
Other kinds of transitional words and phrases Clarification
i.e., (from a Latin abbreviation for “that is”) in other words
that is that is to say to clarify to explain
to put it another way to rephrase it
granted it is true
naturally of course
finally lastly
in conclusion in the end
to conclude
Intensification
in fact indeed no
of course surely to repeat
undoubtedly without doubt yes
for this purpose in order that
so that to that end
to this end
in brief in sum
in summary in short
to sum up to summarize
Improving Your Writing Style
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Clear, Concise Sentences
Use the active voice
Put the action in the verb
Tidy up wordy phrases
Reduce wordy verbs
Reduce prepositional phrases
Reduce expletive constructions
Avoid using vague nouns
Avoid unneccessarily inflated words
Avoid noun strings
Connecting Ideas Through Transitions
Using Transitional Words and Phrases
Essay Writing Guide
Transition Words For Essays
Transition Words For Essays - The Ultimate List
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Do you find it challenging to make your essays flow smoothly and hold your readers' attention from start to finish? Are your paragraphs disjointed, leaving your writing feeling unpolished?
It can be frustrating when your ideas don't connect seamlessly. You might wonder how to make your writing shine and ensure it leaves a lasting impression on your professors.
Don't worry; we've got you covered!
In this guide, we'll introduce you to transition words for essays. These words are your secret weapon for crafting well-structured, compelling essays that will impress your teachers and elevate your writing game. Let's get started!
- 1. What are Good Transition Words for Essays?
- 2. Examples of Different Types of Transition Words
- 3. Transition Words for Argumentative Essays
- 4. Transition Words for Persuasive Essays
- 5. Transition Words for Compare and Contrast Essays
- 6. Transition Words for Informative Essays
- 7. Transition Words for Expository Essays
- 8. Transition Words for Cause and Effect Essays
- 9. Transition Words for Synthesis Essays
- 10. Transition Words for Analysis Essays
- 11. Conclusion Transition Words for Essays
- 12. Beginning Transition Words for Essays
- 13. Paragraph Transition Words for Essays
- 14. Transition Words for Quotes in Essays
- 15. Transition Words for Essays Middle School
- 16. Transition Words for Essays High School
- 17. Transition Words for Essays College
- 18. Do’s and Don’ts of Using Transition Words
What are Good Transition Words for Essays?
Transition words are essential tools in essay writing , providing a clear path for your readers to follow. They serve the crucial purpose of connecting words, phrases, sentences, or even entire paragraphs.
By using these transitions effectively, you can effortlessly convey your ideas and thoughts in a coherent and easily understandable manner.
However, it's crucial to exercise moderation when using transition words. Overusing them can clutter your essay, making it confusing and difficult to read.
On the other hand, omitting them entirely can result in a piece that lacks flow and direction. Striking the right balance ensures that your essay is both engaging and comprehensible.
Purpose of Transition Words
Let’s take a look at the purpose of using transitions in essays:
- Enhance Readability: Transition words improve the overall flow and coherence of your writing.
- Clarify Relationships: They signal connections between ideas, whether it's adding, contrasting, or summarizing.
- Improve Comprehension: Readers can follow your argument or narrative more easily.
- Smooth Transitions: They act as bridges, seamlessly guiding your audience from one point to the next.
- Manage Change: They prepare the reader for shifts in topic or perspective.
- Enhance Engagement: Well-placed transitions keep readers interested and invested in your content.
- Encourage Flow: They maintain a logical progression, aiding in the overall structure of your work.
Examples of Different Types of Transition Words
Here are some common types of transitions for essays that can be used in almost any situation.
Addition Transitions
- Furthermore
- Additionally
- In addition
- Not only...but also
Comparison Transitions
- In the same way
- Comparable to
- Correspondingly
- In comparison
- By the same token
Contrast Transitions
- On the other hand
- In contrast
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Even though
Cause and Effect Transitions
- Consequently
- As a result
- For this reason
- Accordingly
Time Transitions
- Simultaneously
- In the meantime
- Subsequently
- At the same time
Illustration Transitions
- For example
- For instance
- Specifically
- To illustrate
- In particular
- In this case
- As an illustration
Emphasis Transitions
- Undoubtedly
- Without a doubt
Summary Transitions
- To summarize
- To conclude
Sequence Transitions
Example transitions.
- As an example
- To demonstrate
- For one thing
- As evidence
- As an instance
For Showing Exception
- At The Same Time
- Nevertheless
- On The Other Hand
- But At The Same Time
- Conversely
For Proving
- For This Reason
- Certainly
- To Demonstrate
- In Fact
- Clearly
- As A Result
This transition words for essays list will make it easier for you to understand what words to use in which kind of essay or for which purpose.
Transition Words for Argumentative Essays
- To begin with
- By contrast
- One alternative is
- To put more simply
- On the contrary
- With this in mind
- All things considered
- Generally speaking
- That is to say
- Yet another
Transition Words for Persuasive Essays
- furthermore
- Moreover
- Because
- Besides that
- Pursuing this further
Transition Words for Essays PDF
Transition Words for Compare and Contrast Essays
- Althoughyhtjyjum,u
- Notwithstanding
Transition Words for Informative Essays
- After all
- As can be expected
- Obviously
Transition Words for Expository Essays
- Equally important
- Another reason
- Not long after that
- Looking back
Transition Words for Cause and Effect Essays
- In order to
- Provided that
- Because of this
Transition Words for Synthesis Essays
- As noted earlier
- Consequently
- Whereas
- This leads to
- Another factor
- This lead to
- The underlying concept
- In this respect
Transition Words for Analysis Essays
- (once) again
- Primarily
- Due to
- Accordingly
- That is to say
- Subsequently
- To demonstrate
- However
Conclusion Transition Words for Essays
- In any event
- As mentioned
- In other words
- As you can see
Beginning Transition Words for Essays
These are some introduction transition words for essays to start writing:
- In the first place
- First of all
- For the most part
- On one hand
- As a rule
Paragraph Transition Words for Essays
- To put it differently
- Once and for all
Transition Words for Essay’s First Body Paragraph
- To start with
- First and foremost
- In the beginning
Transition Words for Essay’s Second Body Paragraph
- In addition to this
- Furthermore
Transition Words for Essay’s Last Body Paragraph
- In conclusion
- Finally
- Last but not least
- To sum up
- Altogether
Transition Words for Quotes in Essays
- Acknowledges
Transition Words for Essays Middle School
- In conclusion
- For instance
Transition Words for Essays High School
- Today
- In addition
- To summarize
- On the other hand
- As well as
- Although
Transition Words for Essays College
Here are some college level transition words for essay:
- Pursuing this
- Similarly
- What’s more
- As much as
- In a like manner
- In the same fashion
Do’s and Don’ts of Using Transition Words
So, now you have some strong transition words for essays at hand. But how do you use these transition words?
Here are the basic dos and don’ts of using transition words for essays.
- Understand that these terms are an important part of any type of essay or paper, adding to its overall flow and readability.
- Use these words when you are presenting a new idea. For example, start a new paragraph with these phrases, followed by a comma.
- Do not overuse transition words. It is one of the most common essay writing problems that students end up with. It is important to only use those words required to convey your message clearly. It is good to sound smart by using these words but don’t overdo it.
- Avoid using these words at the start and in the middle. Always try to use transition words only a few times where it is necessary to make it easy for the readers to follow the ideas.
So, now you have an extensive list of transition words. These are some of the best transition words for essays that you can add to your essays.
If your essay seems redundant because you used similar transition words, you can always have a look at this list to find some good replacements.
So, whenever you’re writing an essay, refer back to this list and let your words flow!
If you still feel that your essay is not properly conveying your ideas, turn to our expert essay writers at MyPerfectWords.com.
If you have some write-up, our essay writing service will make it flow without changing the entire content. Or, if you wish to have an essay from scratch, we will write a paper for you!
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Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.
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Essay Writing Guide
Transition Words For Essays
Last updated on: Dec 19, 2023
220 Best Transition Words for Essays
By: Nova A.
15 min read
Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.
Published on: Jul 9, 2019
Writing essays can be hard, and making sure your transitions are smooth is even harder.
You've probably heard that good essays need good transitions, but what are they? How do you use them in your writing? Also, your essays are assessed according to particular criteria and it is your responsibility to ensure that it is being met.
But don't worry, we are here to help. This blog will give you transition words for essays, including how to choose the right ones and where to place them for maximum impact. Essay writing is a technical process that requires much more effort than simply pouring your thoughts on paper.
If you are new to the concept of transition words and phrases, deep dive into this article in order to find out the secret to improving your essays.
On this Page
What Are Transition Words
Transition words are essential elements in essay writing that create smooth transitions between ideas.
Think of a transition as a conjunction or a joining word. It helps create strong relationships between ideas, paragraphs, or sentences and assists the readers to understand the word phrases and sentences easily.
As writers, our goal is to communicate our thoughts and ideas in the most clear and logical manner. Especially when presenting complex ideas, we must ensure that they are being conveyed in the most understandable way.
To ensure that your paper is easy to understand, you can work on the sequencing of ideas. Break down your ideas into different sentences and paragraphs then use a transition word or phrase to guide them through these ideas.
Why Should You Use Transitions
The purpose of transition words goes beyond just connectivity. They create a cohesive narrative , allowing your ideas to flow seamlessly from one point to another. These words and phrases act as signposts and indicate relationships.
These relations could include:
- Cause and Effect
- Comparison and Contrast
- Addition and Emphasis
- Sequence and Order
- Illustration and Example
- Concession and Contradiction
- Summary and Conclusion
They form a bridge and tie sentences together, creating a logical connection. In addition to tying the entire paper together, they help demonstrate the writer’s agreement, disagreement, conclusion, or contrast.
However, keep in mind that just using or including transitional words isn’t enough to highlight relationships between ideas. The content of your paragraphs must support the relationship as well. So, you should avoid overusing them in a paper.
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Types of Transitions
Transitions in essays can be classified into different types based on the relationships they indicate between ideas. Each type serves a specific purpose in guiding readers through your arguments.
Let's explore some common types of transitions and their examples:
Additive Transitions
These transitions are used to add information or ideas. They help you expand on your points or provide additional supporting evidence. Examples:
- In addition
- Furthermore
- Additionally
- Not only... but also
- Coupled with
Adversative Transitions
Adversative transitions show contrast or contradiction between ideas. They are used to present opposing viewpoints or highlight differences. Examples:
- Nevertheless
- On the other hand
- In contrast
Causal Transitions
Causal transitions explain cause-and-effect relationships. They help you establish the reasons behind certain outcomes or actions. Examples:
- As a result
- Consequently
- Resulting in
- For this reason
Sequential Transitions
Sequential transitions indicate the order or sequence of events or ideas. They help you present your thoughts in a logical and organized manner. Examples:
- Subsequently
- In the meantime
- Simultaneously
Comparative Transitions
Comparative transitions highlight similarities or comparisons between ideas. They help you draw connections and illustrate relationships. Here are some transition words for essays examples:
- In the same way
- Compared to
- In comparison
- Correspondingly
- By the same token
- Equally important
- Analogous to
Getting started on your essay? Check out this insightful read on essay writing to make sure you ace it!
List of Good Transition Words for Essays
As mentioned above, there are different categories of transitions that serve a unique purpose. Understanding these different types will help you pick the most suitable word or phrase to communicate your message.
Here we have categorized the best transition words for essays so you can use them appropriately!
Transition Words for Argumentative Essays
In argumentative essays , the effective use of transition words is essential for presenting a well-structured and coherent argument.
Transition Words for Compare and Contrast Essays
In compare and contrast essays , transition words play a crucial role in highlighting the similarities and differences between the subjects being compared.
Here are a few transition words that are particularly useful in compare and contrast essays:
Transition Words for Cause and Effect Essays
In cause and effect essays , transition words help illustrate the relationships between causes and their corresponding effects.
Here are a few transition words that are particularly useful in cause-and-effect essays:
Transition Words for Different Parts of Essays
Transition words are valuable tools that can be used throughout different parts of an essay to create a smooth and coherent flow. By understanding the appropriate transition words for each section, you can logically connect your ideas.
Introduction Transition Words for Essays
Introductions are one of the most impactful parts of the essay. It's important that it connects logically with the rest of the essay. To do this, you can utilize different transition words for essays to start. Here are some starting transition words for essays:
Transition Words for Essays Body Paragraph
In an essay, body paragraphs play a crucial role in presenting and developing your ideas. To ensure a logical flow within each body paragraph, the strategic use of transition words is essential.
Here are lists of transitions for essays for different body paragraphs:
Transition Words for Essays for First Body Paragraph
Here is a list of transition words that you can use for the first body paragraph of an essay:
Transition Words for Essays Second Body Paragraph
Here is a list of transition words for the second body paragraph of an essay:
Transition Words for Essays Third Body Paragraph
Transition words for essays last body paragraph, transition words for essays conclusion .
Here is a list of ending transition words for essays:
Do’s and Don’ts of Using Essay Transitions
When it comes to using transitions in your essay, there are certain do's and don'ts that can help you effectively enhance the flow of your writing. Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind:
- Add transitions only when introducing new ideas.
- Go through the paper to make sure they make sense.
- Start by creating an outline, so you know what ideas to share and how.
- Use different transitions for each idea.
- Don’t overuse them.
- Don’t keep adding transitions in the same paragraph.
- Don’t completely rely on transitions to signal relationships.
- Don’t incorporate it into your content without understanding its usage.
By now, you have probably understood how transition words can save you from disjointed and directionless paragraphs. They are the missing piece that indicates how ideas are related to one another. You can also generate more essays with our AI powered essay writer to learn the art of transitioning smoothly from one paragraph to another.
If you are still unable to distinguish transitions to open or conclude your essays, don’t be upset - these things require time and practice.
If you are looking for the perfect essay-writing service, get in touch with the expert writers at 5StarEssays.com. We will include the right transitions according to the type of paper, ensuring a coherent flow of ideas.
Just say ‘ write my essay ’ now and let our essay writer create quality content at the most pocket-friendly rates available.
As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.
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Writing Studio
Common transition words and phrases.
In an effort to make our handouts more accessible, we have begun converting our PDF handouts to web pages. Download this page as a PDF: Transitions Return to Writing Studio Handouts
Transitions clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. These tools should alert readers to shifts in your argument while and also maintain the smoothness and clarity of your prose. Below, you’ll find some of the most commonly used transition categories and examples of each. Depending on the example, these suggestions may be within sentences or at the beginning of sentences.
Transitions by Category
1. addition.
Use when presenting multiple ideas that flow in the same direction, under the same heading/ idea also, another, finally, first, first of all, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, last of all, likewise, moreover, next, and, second, the third reason
2. Sequence/ Order
Use to suggest a temporal relationship between ideas; places evidence in sequence first, second (etc.), next, last, finally, first of all, concurrently, immediately, prior to, then, at that time, at this point, previously, subsequently, and then, at this time, thereafter, previously, soon, before, after, followed by, after that, next, before, after, meanwhile, formerly, finally, during
3. Contrast
Use to demonstrate differences between ideas or change in argument direction but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, yet, differ, difference, balanced against, differing from, variation, still, on the contrary, unlike, conversely, otherwise, on the other hand, however
4. Exception
Use to introduce an opposing idea however, whereas, on the other hand, while, instead, in spite of, yet, despite, still, nevertheless, even though, in contrast, but, but one could also say…
5. Comparison
Use to demonstrate similarities between ideas that may not be under the same subject heading or within the same paragraph like, likewise, just, in a different way / sense, whereas, like, equally, in like manner, by comparison, similar to, in the same way, alike, similarity, similarly, just as, as in a similar fashion, conversely
6. Illustration
Use to develop or clarify an idea, to introduce examples, or to show that the second idea is subordinate to the first for example, to illustrate, on this occasion, this can be seen, in this case, specifically, once, to illustrate, when/where, for instance, such as, to demonstrate, take the case of, in this case
7. Location
Use to show spatial relations next to, above, below, beneath, left, right, behind, in front, on top, within
8. Cause and Effect
Use to show that one idea causes, or results from, the idea that follows or precedes it because, therefore, so that, cause, reason, effect, thus, consequently, since, as a result, if…then, result in
9. Emphasis
Use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable, the chief outcome, a vital force, especially relevant, most noteworthy, the principal item, above all, should be noted
10. Summary or Conclusion
Use to signal that what follows is summarizing or concluding the previous ideas; in humanities papers, use these phrases sparingly. to summarize, in short, in brief, in sum, in summary, to sum up, in conclusion, to conclude, finally
Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .”
Writing Effective Sentence Transitions (Advanced)
Transitions are the rhetorical tools that clarify the logic of your argument by orienting your reader as you develop ideas between sentences and paragraphs. The ability to integrate sentence transitions into your prose, rather than simply throwing in overt transition signals like “in addition,” indicates your mastery of the material. (Note: The visibility of transitions may vary by discipline; consult with your professor to get a better sense of discipline or assignment specific expectations.)
Transition Signals
Transition signals are words or phrases that indicate the logic connecting sets of information or ideas. Signals like therefore, on the other hand, for example, because, then, and afterwards can be good transition tools at the sentence and paragraph level. When using these signals, be conscious of the real meaning of these terms; they should reflect the actual relationship between ideas.
Review Words
Review words are transition tools that link groups of sentences or whole paragraphs. They condense preceding discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just completed a detailed discussion about the greenhouse effect. To transition to the next topic, you could use review words like “this heat-trapping process” to refer back to the green house effect discussion. The relative ability to determine a cogent set of review words might signal your own understanding of your work; think of review words as super-short summaries of key ideas.
Preview words
Preview words condense an upcoming discussion into a brief word or phrase. For example: You’ve just explained how heat is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Transitioning to the theory that humans are adding to that effect, you could use preview words like “sources of additional CO2 in the atmosphere include” to point forward to that discussion.
Transition Sentences
The strongest and most sophisticated tools, transition sentences indicate the connection between the preceding and upcoming pieces of your argument. They often contain one or more of the above transition tools. For example: You’ve just discussed how much CO2 humans have added to the atmosphere. You need to transition to a discussion of the effects. A strong set of transition sentences between the two sections might sound like this:
“These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere may lead to a number of disastrous consequences for residents of planet earth. The rise in global temperature that accompanies the extra CO2 can yield effects as varied as glacial melting and species extinction.”
In the first sentence, the review words are “These large amounts of CO2 added to the atmosphere”; the preview words are “number of disastrous consequences”; the transition signals are “may lead to.” The topic sentence of the next paragraph indicates the specific “disastrous consequences” you will discuss.
If you don’t see a way to write a logical, effective transition between sentences, ideas or paragraphs, this might indicate organizational problems in your essay; you might consider revising your work.
Some material adapted from Cal Poly Pomona College Reading Skills Program and “ Power Tools for Technical Communication .”
Last revised: 07/2008 | Adapted for web delivery: 05/2021
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- Transition sentences | Tips & examples for clear writing
Transition Sentences | Tips & Examples for Clear Writing
Published on June 9, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.
Clear transitions are crucial to clear writing: They show the reader how different parts of your essay, paper, or thesis are connected. Transition sentences can be used to structure your text and link together paragraphs or sections.
… In this case, the researchers concluded that the method was unreliable.
However , evidence from a more recent study points to a different conclusion . …
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Table of contents
Transitioning between paragraphs, transitioning to a new section, transitions within a paragraph, other interesting articles.
When you start a new paragraph , the first sentence should clearly express:
- What this paragraph will discuss
- How it relates to the previous paragraph
The examples below show some examples of transition sentences between paragraphs and what they express.
Placement of transition sentences
The beginning of a new paragraph is generally the right place for a transition sentence. Each paragraph should focus on one topic, so avoid spending time at the end of a paragraph explaining the theme of the next one.
The first dissenter to consider is …
However, several scholars dissent from this consensus. The first one to consider is …
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While transitions between paragraphs are generally a single sentence, when you start a new section in a longer text, you may need an entire transition paragraph. Transitioning to a new section involves summarizing the content of the previous section and expressing how the new one will build upon or depart from it.
For example, the following sentences might be an effective transition for a new section in a literary analysis essay.
Having established that the subjective experience of time is one of Mann’s key concerns in The Magic Mountain , it is now possible to explore how this theme facilitates the novel’s connection with World War I. The war itself is not narrated in the book, but rather hinted at as something awaiting Castorp beyond the final pages. In this way, Mann links his protagonist’s subjective experience of time to more than just his illness; it is also used to explore the period leading up to the outbreak of war.
As in academic writing generally, aim to be as concise as you can while maintaining clarity: If you can transition to a new section clearly with a single sentence, do so, but use more when necessary.
It’s also important to use effective transitions within each paragraph you write, leading the reader through your arguments efficiently and avoiding ambiguity.
The known-new contract
The order of information within each of your sentences is important to the cohesion of your text. The known-new contract , a useful writing concept, states that a new sentence should generally begin with some reference to information from the previous sentence, and then go on to connect it to new information.
In the following example, the second sentence doesn’t follow very clearly from the first. The connection only becomes clear when we reach the end.
By reordering the information in the second sentence so that it begins with a reference to the first, we can help the reader follow our argument more smoothly.
Note that the known-new contract is just a general guideline. Not every sentence needs to be structured this way, but it’s a useful technique if you’re struggling to make your sentences cohere.
Transition words and phrases
Using appropriate transition words helps show your reader connections within and between sentences. Transition words and phrases come in four main types:
- Additive transitions, which introduce new information or examples
- Adversative transitions, which signal a contrast or departure from the previous text
- Causal transitions, which are used to describe cause and effect
- Sequential transitions, which indicate a sequence
The table below gives a few examples for each type:
Grouping similar information
While transition words and phrases are essential, and every essay will contain at least some of them, it’s also important to avoid overusing them. One way to do this is by grouping similar information together so that fewer transitions are needed.
For example, the following text uses three transition words and jumps back and forth between ideas. This makes it repetitive and difficult to follow.
Rewriting it to group similar information allows us to use just one transition, making the text more concise and readable.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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- Appeal to authority fallacy
- False cause fallacy
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Transition Words for Argumentative Essays: The Ultimate List
- by Lesley V.
- June 19, 2023 June 19, 2023
For college papers to rock, you need transition words for argumentative essays.
Argumentative essay phrases make your work sound convincing, coherent, and logical. These lexical items help you connect ideas and paragraphs to keep readers engaged. With proper linking items, you’ll make each sentence flow.
In this post, I’ve gathered the ultimate list of argumentative transition words for your assignments to become A-worthy.
What Is a Strong Transition?
Linking words tell readers how one idea or issue relates to another. When used right, they help you build more convincing arguments. These sayings help readers understand the flow and relations between points and references.
Where to use college transition words?
- Between essay sections: connect an intro, body sections, and concluding paragraph.
- Between paragraphs: connect claims and ideas within a text’s core part.
- Within a paragraph: show the connection of claims in it.
The Purpose of Essay Transition Words
Why transition words in high school or college papers? The purpose is to make your writing look and sound coherent and convincing.
These expressions serve to:
- Frame your arguments and convey ideas with clarity
- Emphasize your points, support claims, and move to counterclaims
- Illustrate addition, comparison, or contrast
- Break down complex ideas within a paragraph for easier consumption and understanding
- Highlight and clarify claims
- Provide examples, summarize, and show the outcome
- Tie the entire paper for better readability and coherent flow
Transition Words for Argumentative Essays: List
Transition sentences for essay introduction.
These expressions are great to use in the intro of a paper. They’ll establish your topic and core idea to readers and move smoothly to the first body paragraph .
Essay introductions are short, so the connecting words here aren’t diverse. Here goes the list:
- Equally important
- Additionally
- Furthermore
Here’s an example of an introductory paragraph with linking phrases:
Argumentative Transition Words for Essay Body
Argumentative essay phrases in text bodies may differ depending on what you want to show.
If you need to share an example , consider lexical items like “Specifically,” “For instance,” “For example,” or “To illustrate.”
To provide further clarification , use phrases like “In other words,” “Specifically,” or “Namely.”
For time and sequence between arguments , write “ Firstly,” “Meanwhile,” “Second,” “Next,” “Subsequently,” and so on.
If you need to add quotes to your paper , consider transition and connecting words like “ As stated,” “As shown in,” “This states that,” “As confirmed,” or “As said.”
Transition words for argumentative essays’ first body paragraphs are common. Use the examples from the above list.
Conclusion Transition Words for Argumentative Essays
Transition words in argumentative essays’ conclusions wrap up the whole paper. Please, place them in the very last paragraph. The purpose is to rephrase your thesis, sum the arguments, and give readers the food for thought.
Practical Rules for Using Transition Words for Essays
- College transition words are to place at the beginning or the middle of a paragraph or a sentence. By understanding the purpose behind connecting phrases and how they provide structure, you’ll see where to place them.
- Outline your essay before writing. It will help you understand which transition sayings look appropriate for every section.
- Don’t use transitions too often. Remember that they connect, not substitute ideas. Resist the temptation of placing these phrases for nothing but word count.
- Use different argumentative essay phrases in a text. Vary them to boost readability and maintain the reader’s engagement.
- Compare your essay sections and sentences with and without linking items. It will help you understand the importance of using them. Please don’t place connecting phrases where they don’t fit; keep the balance.
- Re-read the draft once it’s ready. Does it sound smooth with the transition words you placed? Ensure they serve their purpose: guiding the reader and enhancing your paper’s coherence.
- Ask a friend or a professional editor to read your work. They can share comments on how well you placed linking phrases. Based on their feedback, you’ll identify what to improve .
Good Argumentative Transition Words: Examples
You can’t write a great essay or other college paper without transition words and phrases. Below is the ultimate list of these words based on the purpose:
Do you need a PDF version with the ultimate list of transition words (200+) from this article? Here it goes to download for free:
Do argumentative essays have transition words?
Yes, they do. Whether you compose a high school essay or a college paper, you’ll use transition and connecting words to support arguments . Use argumentative essay phrases to order ideas. They also work to state the relationship between issues and highlight points. You illustrate examples with their help, too.
How do you transition an argumentative essay?
To transition an argumentative essay, please analyze the function of every phrase you want to use. Different connecting words serve for essay introductions, conclusions, or body paragraphs. Also, you may need particular terms to emphasize arguments. Consider them to add clarifications or draw parallels between ideas.
What words can I use to start an argumentative essay?
Try these argumentative essay phrases to start a paper: “In the first place,” “To begin,” “Initially,” or “First of all.” Consider the college transition words PDF list in this article for other examples.
What is an example of a transition sentence in an essay?
A great example of a transition sentence depends on what essay part you write and what idea you want to establish. While some expressions enhance clarity and move flow, others emphasize points and guide the reader. An example can be “That is to say,” “Another way to view this,” and “As you see.”
What are some transition words to conclude an argumentative essay?
Transition words to conclude an argumentative essay can be as follows: “To sum up,” “Finally,” “All in all,” “Hence,” “So,” or “In the final analysis.” In the above PDF file, I’ve gathered the ultimate list of transition words and phrases to use in different parts of your essay.
Transition words for argumentative essays are many. All have their purpose and place, and it may seem challenging to ace their use. Don’t let them confuse you! While mastering these expressions can take time, this skill is worth your struggles. Whatever essay you craft, you’ll need linking lexical items to polish it.
I hope many examples and the PDF file with strong college transition words from this article will ease your writing life. Remember: practice makes perfect. The more you try, the better you understand the power of transition and connecting words in essays.
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Yo, I need to up my essay game. What are some good transition words or phrases that I can use in my high school essays to make them flow better and sound more natural?
Hey there! Great to see you focused on improving your essay-writing skills. Using transitions effectively can definitely help your essays flow more smoothly and be easier to read. Here's a list of some transition words and phrases that you might find useful:
To add information or build on a point:
- Furthermore
- Additionally
- In addition
To compare or connect similar ideas:
- Similarly
- In the same way
To contrast or show differences:
- On the other hand
- In contrast
- Conversely
- Nevertheless
To show cause and effect or relationships:
- Therefore
- Consequently
- As a result
To provide examples:
- For instance
- For example
- Specifically
To show time or sequence:
- First, second, third, etc.
- Meanwhile
- Afterward
To summarize or conclude:
- In conclusion
- To sum up
- In summary
Make sure to use these words and phrases judiciously, as overusing transitions can make your writing sound formulaic, and be aware that depending on the context, some particular words might work much better than others. It's important to find a balance that works for your writing style and the essay's purpose. Good luck, and happy writing!
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33 Transition Words and Phrases
Transitional terms give writers the opportunity to prepare readers for a new idea, connecting the previous sentence to the next one.
Many transitional words are nearly synonymous: words that broadly indicate that “this follows logically from the preceding” include accordingly, therefore, and consequently . Words that mean “in addition to” include moreover, besides, and further . Words that mean “contrary to what was just stated” include however, nevertheless , and nonetheless .
as a result : THEREFORE : CONSEQUENTLY
The executive’s flight was delayed and they accordingly arrived late.
in or by way of addition : FURTHERMORE
The mountain has many marked hiking trails; additionally, there are several unmarked trails that lead to the summit.
at a later or succeeding time : SUBSEQUENTLY, THEREAFTER
Afterward, she got a promotion.
even though : ALTHOUGH
She appeared as a guest star on the show, albeit briefly.
in spite of the fact that : even though —used when making a statement that differs from or contrasts with a statement you have just made
They are good friends, although they don't see each other very often.
in addition to what has been said : MOREOVER, FURTHERMORE
I can't go, and besides, I wouldn't go if I could.
as a result : in view of the foregoing : ACCORDINGLY
The words are often confused and are consequently misused.
in a contrasting or opposite way —used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous statement or presents a differing interpretation or possibility
Large objects appear to be closer. Conversely, small objects seem farther away.
used to introduce a statement that is somehow different from what has just been said
These problems are not as bad as they were. Even so, there is much more work to be done.
used as a stronger way to say "though" or "although"
I'm planning to go even though it may rain.
in addition : MOREOVER
I had some money to invest, and, further, I realized that the risk was small.
in addition to what precedes : BESIDES —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement
These findings seem plausible. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed them.
because of a preceding fact or premise : for this reason : THEREFORE
He was a newcomer and hence had no close friends here.
from this point on : starting now
She announced that henceforth she would be running the company.
in spite of that : on the other hand —used when you are saying something that is different from or contrasts with a previous statement
I'd like to go; however, I'd better not.
as something more : BESIDES —used for adding information to a statement
The city has the largest population in the country and in addition is a major shipping port.
all things considered : as a matter of fact —used when making a statement that adds to or strengthens a previous statement
He likes to have things his own way; indeed, he can be very stubborn.
for fear that —often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension
He was concerned lest anyone think that he was guilty.
in addition : ALSO —often used to introduce a statement that adds to and is related to a previous statement
She is an acclaimed painter who is likewise a sculptor.
at or during the same time : in the meantime
You can set the table. Meanwhile, I'll start making dinner.
BESIDES, FURTHER : in addition to what has been said —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement
It probably wouldn't work. Moreover, it would be very expensive to try it.
in spite of that : HOWEVER
It was a predictable, but nevertheless funny, story.
in spite of what has just been said : NEVERTHELESS
The hike was difficult, but fun nonetheless.
without being prevented by (something) : despite—used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true
Notwithstanding their youth and inexperience, the team won the championship.
if not : or else
Finish your dinner. Otherwise, you won't get any dessert.
more correctly speaking —used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said
We can take the car, or rather, the van.
in spite of that —used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true
I tried again and still I failed.
by that : by that means
He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.
for that reason : because of that
This tablet is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.
immediately after that
The committee reviewed the documents and thereupon decided to accept the proposal.
because of this or that : HENCE, CONSEQUENTLY
This detergent is highly concentrated and thus you will need to dilute it.
while on the contrary —used to make a statement that describes how two people, groups, etc., are different
Some of these species have flourished, whereas others have struggled.
NEVERTHELESS, HOWEVER —used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way
It was pouring rain out, yet his clothes didn’t seem very wet.
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Transition Words for Essays
What are Transition Words and how Do I use Transition Words for Essays? Transition words and phrases help make your essay flow smoothly from paragraph to paragraph. You can use them at the ends and beginnings of paragraphs, as well as in your introduction and conclusion. Transition words and phrases can be used in every type of essay, but they are most appropriate in expository or argumentative essays in which it’s important to present your ideas in a clear, logical flow. Read on for more insight into transition words for essays, including lists, examples and descriptions of how to use them in your writing.
Transition Words for Essays that Compare and Contrast
Comparison and contrast transition words are obviously helpful when writing a compare/contrast essay, but you can also use them to compare two different pieces of information in an expository or argumentative essay. You may also use comparison and contrast transition words to contrast two different experiences in a narrative essay or to compare two different people, places or objects in a descriptive essay.
Here are some of the most common comparison transition words for essays, followed by examples:
- in the same way
Comparison Transition Words for Essays, sentence examples:
- In the same way , Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech inspired a generation.
- Similarly , my vacation to the beach was also peaceful and fun, just like my week at summer camp.
Here are some of the most common contrast transition words for essays, followed by examples:
- in spite of
- on the one hand/on the other hand
- in contrast
- on the contrary
Contrast Transition Words for Essays, sentence examples:
- However , this delicious breakfast was not as memorable as the dinner my family shared that evening.
- In contrast , my grandmother is always cracking jokes while my grandfather stays serious.
Sequence/Order Transition Words for Essays
Sequence words are especially important in narrative essays, where you must guide your reader through the events of your story. Sequence words can be used at the start of each paragraph to clearly mark out what happened first, next and so on. In addition, you can also use sequence transition words for essays that are informational and communicate historical events. It is also helpful to use sequence transition words for essays where you are writing about a book or movie and need to briefly summarize the plot. Here are some sequence/ordering words, followed by examples:
- First , my mom dropped me off at school that fateful morning.
- Then , I saw an unbelievable sight!
- Finally , the zookeepers showed up and led the baby elephant into the back of a hay-filled truck.
Transition Word for Essays Examples
Example transition words can help you provide evidence in argumentative essays and add interesting detail in descriptive and narrative essays. There are many different kinds of example words and phrases you can use to keep your writing interesting and avoid repetition in a longer essay. Here are some of the most common example transition words for essays:
- for example
- for instance
- specifically
- to illustrate
Here are some additional example transition words for essays you may use in your writing, followed by examples:
- additionally
- equally important
- furthermore
- in addition
- For example , one study explained that students who participate in extracurricular activities have a higher overall homework completion rate.
- Furthermore , engagement in nonacademic activities has been shown to increase confidence in children between the ages of 11 and 14.
Conclusion Transition Words for Essays
Conclusion words help signal to the reader that you are coming to the end of your essay. A strong conclusion paragraph will begin with a clear conclusion word or phrase that will help to sum up your overall points. Here are some of the most common conclusion words and phrases, followed by examples:
- in conclusion
- on the whole
- to conclude
- to summarize
- In conclusion , school uniforms can help improve students’ focus in the middle school classroom.
- In sum , voting is an important part of our democracy and something we shouldn’t take for granted.
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Miscellaneous
You'll no doubt have to write a number of argumentative essays in both high school and college, but what, exactly, is an argumentative essay and how do you write the best one possible? Let's take a look.
A great argumentative essay always combines the same basic elements: approaching an argument from a rational perspective, researching sources, supporting your claims using facts rather than opinion, and articulating your reasoning into the most cogent and reasoned points. Argumentative essays are great building blocks for all sorts of research and rhetoric, so your teachers will expect you to master the technique before long.
But if this sounds daunting, never fear! We'll show how an argumentative essay differs from other kinds of papers, how to research and write them, how to pick an argumentative essay topic, and where to find example essays. So let's get started.
What Is an Argumentative Essay? How Is it Different from Other Kinds of Essays?
There are two basic requirements for any and all essays: to state a claim (a thesis statement) and to support that claim with evidence.
Though every essay is founded on these two ideas, there are several different types of essays, differentiated by the style of the writing, how the writer presents the thesis, and the types of evidence used to support the thesis statement.
Essays can be roughly divided into four different types:
#1: Argumentative #2: Persuasive #3: Expository #4: Analytical
So let's look at each type and what the differences are between them before we focus the rest of our time to argumentative essays.
Argumentative Essay
Argumentative essays are what this article is all about, so let's talk about them first.
An argumentative essay attempts to convince a reader to agree with a particular argument (the writer's thesis statement). The writer takes a firm stand one way or another on a topic and then uses hard evidence to support that stance.
An argumentative essay seeks to prove to the reader that one argument —the writer's argument— is the factually and logically correct one. This means that an argumentative essay must use only evidence-based support to back up a claim , rather than emotional or philosophical reasoning (which is often allowed in other types of essays). Thus, an argumentative essay has a burden of substantiated proof and sources , whereas some other types of essays (namely persuasive essays) do not.
You can write an argumentative essay on any topic, so long as there's room for argument. Generally, you can use the same topics for both a persuasive essay or an argumentative one, so long as you support the argumentative essay with hard evidence.
Example topics of an argumentative essay:
- "Should farmers be allowed to shoot wolves if those wolves injure or kill farm animals?"
- "Should the drinking age be lowered in the United States?"
- "Are alternatives to democracy effective and/or feasible to implement?"
The next three types of essays are not argumentative essays, but you may have written them in school. We're going to cover them so you know what not to do for your argumentative essay.
Persuasive Essay
Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative essays, so it can be easy to get them confused. But knowing what makes an argumentative essay different than a persuasive essay can often mean the difference between an excellent grade and an average one.
Persuasive essays seek to persuade a reader to agree with the point of view of the writer, whether that point of view is based on factual evidence or not. The writer has much more flexibility in the evidence they can use, with the ability to use moral, cultural, or opinion-based reasoning as well as factual reasoning to persuade the reader to agree the writer's side of a given issue.
Instead of being forced to use "pure" reason as one would in an argumentative essay, the writer of a persuasive essay can manipulate or appeal to the reader's emotions. So long as the writer attempts to steer the readers into agreeing with the thesis statement, the writer doesn't necessarily need hard evidence in favor of the argument.
Often, you can use the same topics for both a persuasive essay or an argumentative one—the difference is all in the approach and the evidence you present.
Example topics of a persuasive essay:
- "Should children be responsible for their parents' debts?"
- "Should cheating on a test be automatic grounds for expulsion?"
- "How much should sports leagues be held accountable for player injuries and the long-term consequences of those injuries?"
Expository Essay
An expository essay is typically a short essay in which the writer explains an idea, issue, or theme , or discusses the history of a person, place, or idea.
This is typically a fact-forward essay with little argument or opinion one way or the other.
Example topics of an expository essay:
- "The History of the Philadelphia Liberty Bell"
- "The Reasons I Always Wanted to be a Doctor"
- "The Meaning Behind the Colloquialism ‘People in Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones'"
Analytical Essay
An analytical essay seeks to delve into the deeper meaning of a text or work of art, or unpack a complicated idea . These kinds of essays closely interpret a source and look into its meaning by analyzing it at both a macro and micro level.
This type of analysis can be augmented by historical context or other expert or widely-regarded opinions on the subject, but is mainly supported directly through the original source (the piece or art or text being analyzed) .
Example topics of an analytical essay:
- "Victory Gin in Place of Water: The Symbolism Behind Gin as the Only Potable Substance in George Orwell's 1984"
- "Amarna Period Art: The Meaning Behind the Shift from Rigid to Fluid Poses"
- "Adultery During WWII, as Told Through a Series of Letters to and from Soldiers"
There are many different types of essay and, over time, you'll be able to master them all.
A Typical Argumentative Essay Assignment
The average argumentative essay is between three to five pages, and will require at least three or four separate sources with which to back your claims . As for the essay topic , you'll most often be asked to write an argumentative essay in an English class on a "general" topic of your choice, ranging the gamut from science, to history, to literature.
But while the topics of an argumentative essay can span several different fields, the structure of an argumentative essay is always the same: you must support a claim—a claim that can reasonably have multiple sides—using multiple sources and using a standard essay format (which we'll talk about later on).
This is why many argumentative essay topics begin with the word "should," as in:
- "Should all students be required to learn chemistry in high school?"
- "Should children be required to learn a second language?"
- "Should schools or governments be allowed to ban books?"
These topics all have at least two sides of the argument: Yes or no. And you must support the side you choose with evidence as to why your side is the correct one.
But there are also plenty of other ways to frame an argumentative essay as well:
- "Does using social media do more to benefit or harm people?"
- "Does the legal status of artwork or its creators—graffiti and vandalism, pirated media, a creator who's in jail—have an impact on the art itself?"
- "Is or should anyone ever be ‘above the law?'"
Though these are worded differently than the first three, you're still essentially forced to pick between two sides of an issue: yes or no, for or against, benefit or detriment. Though your argument might not fall entirely into one side of the divide or another—for instance, you could claim that social media has positively impacted some aspects of modern life while being a detriment to others—your essay should still support one side of the argument above all. Your final stance would be that overall , social media is beneficial or overall , social media is harmful.
If your argument is one that is mostly text-based or backed by a single source (e.g., "How does Salinger show that Holden Caulfield is an unreliable narrator?" or "Does Gatsby personify the American Dream?"), then it's an analytical essay, rather than an argumentative essay. An argumentative essay will always be focused on more general topics so that you can use multiple sources to back up your claims.
Good Argumentative Essay Topics
So you know the basic idea behind an argumentative essay, but what topic should you write about?
Again, almost always, you'll be asked to write an argumentative essay on a free topic of your choice, or you'll be asked to select between a few given topics . If you're given complete free reign of topics, then it'll be up to you to find an essay topic that no only appeals to you, but that you can turn into an A+ argumentative essay.
What makes a "good" argumentative essay topic depends on both the subject matter and your personal interest —it can be hard to give your best effort on something that bores you to tears! But it can also be near impossible to write an argumentative essay on a topic that has no room for debate.
As we said earlier, a good argumentative essay topic will be one that has the potential to reasonably go in at least two directions—for or against, yes or no, and why . For example, it's pretty hard to write an argumentative essay on whether or not people should be allowed to murder one another—not a whole lot of debate there for most people!—but writing an essay for or against the death penalty has a lot more wiggle room for evidence and argument.
A good topic is also one that can be substantiated through hard evidence and relevant sources . So be sure to pick a topic that other people have studied (or at least studied elements of) so that you can use their data in your argument. For example, if you're arguing that it should be mandatory for all middle school children to play a sport, you might have to apply smaller scientific data points to the larger picture you're trying to justify. There are probably several studies you could cite on the benefits of physical activity and the positive effect structure and teamwork has on young minds, but there's probably no study you could use where a group of scientists put all middle-schoolers in one jurisdiction into a mandatory sports program (since that's probably never happened). So long as your evidence is relevant to your point and you can extrapolate from it to form a larger whole, you can use it as a part of your resource material.
And if you need ideas on where to get started, or just want to see sample argumentative essay topics, then check out these links for hundreds of potential argumentative essay topics.
101 Persuasive (or Argumentative) Essay and Speech Topics
301 Prompts for Argumentative Writing
Top 50 Ideas for Argumentative/Persuasive Essay Writing
[Note: some of these say "persuasive essay topics," but just remember that the same topic can often be used for both a persuasive essay and an argumentative essay; the difference is in your writing style and the evidence you use to support your claims.]
KO! Find that one argumentative essay topic you can absolutely conquer.
Argumentative Essay Format
Argumentative Essays are composed of four main elements:
- A position (your argument)
- Your reasons
- Supporting evidence for those reasons (from reliable sources)
- Counterargument(s) (possible opposing arguments and reasons why those arguments are incorrect)
If you're familiar with essay writing in general, then you're also probably familiar with the five paragraph essay structure . This structure is a simple tool to show how one outlines an essay and breaks it down into its component parts, although it can be expanded into as many paragraphs as you want beyond the core five.
The standard argumentative essay is often 3-5 pages, which will usually mean a lot more than five paragraphs, but your overall structure will look the same as a much shorter essay.
An argumentative essay at its simplest structure will look like:
Paragraph 1: Intro
- Set up the story/problem/issue
- Thesis/claim
Paragraph 2: Support
- Reason #1 claim is correct
- Supporting evidence with sources
Paragraph 3: Support
- Reason #2 claim is correct
Paragraph 4: Counterargument
- Explanation of argument for the other side
- Refutation of opposing argument with supporting evidence
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
- Re-state claim
- Sum up reasons and support of claim from the essay to prove claim is correct
Now let's unpack each of these paragraph types to see how they work (with examples!), what goes into them, and why.
Paragraph 1—Set Up and Claim
Your first task is to introduce the reader to the topic at hand so they'll be prepared for your claim. Give a little background information, set the scene, and give the reader some stakes so that they care about the issue you're going to discuss.
Next, you absolutely must have a position on an argument and make that position clear to the readers. It's not an argumentative essay unless you're arguing for a specific claim, and this claim will be your thesis statement.
Your thesis CANNOT be a mere statement of fact (e.g., "Washington DC is the capital of the United States"). Your thesis must instead be an opinion which can be backed up with evidence and has the potential to be argued against (e.g., "New York should be the capital of the United States").
Paragraphs 2 and 3—Your Evidence
These are your body paragraphs in which you give the reasons why your argument is the best one and back up this reasoning with concrete evidence .
The argument supporting the thesis of an argumentative essay should be one that can be supported by facts and evidence, rather than personal opinion or cultural or religious mores.
For example, if you're arguing that New York should be the new capital of the US, you would have to back up that fact by discussing the factual contrasts between New York and DC in terms of location, population, revenue, and laws. You would then have to talk about the precedents for what makes for a good capital city and why New York fits the bill more than DC does.
Your argument can't simply be that a lot of people think New York is the best city ever and that you agree.
In addition to using concrete evidence, you always want to keep the tone of your essay passionate, but impersonal . Even though you're writing your argument from a single opinion, don't use first person language—"I think," "I feel," "I believe,"—to present your claims. Doing so is repetitive, since by writing the essay you're already telling the audience what you feel, and using first person language weakens your writing voice.
For example,
"I think that Washington DC is no longer suited to be the capital city of the United States."
"Washington DC is no longer suited to be the capital city of the United States."
The second statement sounds far stronger and more analytical.
Paragraph 4—Argument for the Other Side and Refutation
Even without a counter argument, you can make a pretty persuasive claim, but a counterargument will round out your essay into one that is much more persuasive and substantial.
By anticipating an argument against your claim and taking the initiative to counter it, you're allowing yourself to get ahead of the game. This way, you show that you've given great thought to all sides of the issue before choosing your position, and you demonstrate in multiple ways how yours is the more reasoned and supported side.
Paragraph 5—Conclusion
This paragraph is where you re-state your argument and summarize why it's the best claim.
Briefly touch on your supporting evidence and voila! A finished argumentative essay.
Your essay should have just as awesome a skeleton as this plesiosaur does. (In other words: a ridiculously awesome skeleton)
Argumentative Essay Example: 5-Paragraph Style
It always helps to have an example to learn from. I've written a full 5-paragraph argumentative essay here. Look at how I state my thesis in paragraph 1, give supporting evidence in paragraphs 2 and 3, address a counterargument in paragraph 4, and conclude in paragraph 5.
Topic: Is it possible to maintain conflicting loyalties?
Paragraph 1
It is almost impossible to go through life without encountering a situation where your loyalties to different people or causes come into conflict with each other. Maybe you have a loving relationship with your sister, but she disagrees with your decision to join the army, or you find yourself torn between your cultural beliefs and your scientific ones. These conflicting loyalties can often be maintained for a time, but as examples from both history and psychological theory illustrate, sooner or later, people have to make a choice between competing loyalties, as no one can maintain a conflicting loyalty or belief system forever.
The first two sentences set the scene and give some hypothetical examples and stakes for the reader to care about.
The third sentence finishes off the intro with the thesis statement, making very clear how the author stands on the issue ("people have to make a choice between competing loyalties, as no one can maintain a conflicting loyalty or belief system forever." )
Paragraphs 2 and 3
Psychological theory states that human beings are not equipped to maintain conflicting loyalties indefinitely and that attempting to do so leads to a state called "cognitive dissonance." Cognitive dissonance theory is the psychological idea that people undergo tremendous mental stress or anxiety when holding contradictory beliefs, values, or loyalties (Festinger, 1957). Even if human beings initially hold a conflicting loyalty, they will do their best to find a mental equilibrium by making a choice between those loyalties—stay stalwart to a belief system or change their beliefs. One of the earliest formal examples of cognitive dissonance theory comes from Leon Festinger's When Prophesy Fails . Members of an apocalyptic cult are told that the end of the world will occur on a specific date and that they alone will be spared the Earth's destruction. When that day comes and goes with no apocalypse, the cult members face a cognitive dissonance between what they see and what they've been led to believe (Festinger, 1956). Some choose to believe that the cult's beliefs are still correct, but that the Earth was simply spared from destruction by mercy, while others choose to believe that they were lied to and that the cult was fraudulent all along. Both beliefs cannot be correct at the same time, and so the cult members are forced to make their choice.
But even when conflicting loyalties can lead to potentially physical, rather than just mental, consequences, people will always make a choice to fall on one side or other of a dividing line. Take, for instance, Nicolaus Copernicus, a man born and raised in Catholic Poland (and educated in Catholic Italy). Though the Catholic church dictated specific scientific teachings, Copernicus' loyalty to his own observations and scientific evidence won out over his loyalty to his country's government and belief system. When he published his heliocentric model of the solar system--in opposition to the geocentric model that had been widely accepted for hundreds of years (Hannam, 2011)-- Copernicus was making a choice between his loyalties. In an attempt t o maintain his fealty both to the established system and to what he believed, h e sat on his findings for a number of years (Fantoli, 1994). But, ultimately, Copernicus made the choice to side with his beliefs and observations above all and published his work for the world to see (even though, in doing so, he risked both his reputation and personal freedoms).
These two paragraphs provide the reasons why the author supports the main argument and uses substantiated sources to back those reasons.
The paragraph on cognitive dissonance theory gives both broad supporting evidence and more narrow, detailed supporting evidence to show why the thesis statement is correct not just anecdotally but also scientifically and psychologically. First, we see why people in general have a difficult time accepting conflicting loyalties and desires and then how this applies to individuals through the example of the cult members from the Dr. Festinger's research.
The next paragraph continues to use more detailed examples from history to provide further evidence of why the thesis that people cannot indefinitely maintain conflicting loyalties is true.
Paragraph 4
Some will claim that it is possible to maintain conflicting beliefs or loyalties permanently, but this is often more a matter of people deluding themselves and still making a choice for one side or the other, rather than truly maintaining loyalty to both sides equally. For example, Lancelot du Lac typifies a person who claims to maintain a balanced loyalty between to two parties, but his attempt to do so fails (as all attempts to permanently maintain conflicting loyalties must). Lancelot tells himself and others that he is equally devoted to both King Arthur and his court and to being Queen Guinevere's knight (Malory, 2008). But he can neither be in two places at once to protect both the king and queen, nor can he help but let his romantic feelings for the queen to interfere with his duties to the king and the kingdom. Ultimately, he and Queen Guinevere give into their feelings for one another and Lancelot—though he denies it—chooses his loyalty to her over his loyalty to Arthur. This decision plunges the kingdom into a civil war, ages Lancelot prematurely, and ultimately leads to Camelot's ruin (Raabe, 1987). Though Lancelot claimed to have been loyal to both the king and the queen, this loyalty was ultimately in conflict, and he could not maintain it.
Here we have the acknowledgement of a potential counter-argument and the evidence as to why it isn't true.
The argument is that some people (or literary characters) have asserted that they give equal weight to their conflicting loyalties. The refutation is that, though some may claim to be able to maintain conflicting loyalties, they're either lying to others or deceiving themselves. The paragraph shows why this is true by providing an example of this in action.
Paragraph 5
Whether it be through literature or history, time and time again, people demonstrate the challenges of trying to manage conflicting loyalties and the inevitable consequences of doing so. Though belief systems are malleable and will often change over time, it is not possible to maintain two mutually exclusive loyalties or beliefs at once. In the end, people always make a choice, and loyalty for one party or one side of an issue will always trump loyalty to the other.
The concluding paragraph summarizes the essay, touches on the evidence presented, and re-states the thesis statement.
How to Write an Argumentative Essay: 8 Steps
Writing the best argumentative essay is all about the preparation, so let's talk steps:
#1: Preliminary Research
If you have the option to pick your own argumentative essay topic (which you most likely will), then choose one or two topics you find the most intriguing or that you have a vested interest in and do some preliminary research on both sides of the debate.
Do an open internet search just to see what the general chatter is on the topic and what the research trends are.
Did your preliminary reading influence you to pick a side or change your side? Without diving into all the scholarly articles at length, do you believe there's enough evidence to support your claim? Have there been scientific studies? Experiments? Does a noted scholar in the field agree with you? If not, you may need to pick another topic or side of the argument to support.
#2: Pick Your Side and Form Your Thesis
Now's the time to pick the side of the argument you feel you can support the best and summarize your main point into your thesis statement.
Your thesis will be the basis of your entire essay, so make sure you know which side you're on, that you've stated it clearly, and that you stick by your argument throughout the entire essay .
#3: Heavy-Duty Research Time
You've taken a gander at what the internet at large has to say on your argument, but now's the time to actually read those sources and take notes.
Check scholarly journals online at Google Scholar , the Directory of Open Access Journals , or JStor . You can also search individual university or school libraries and websites to see what kinds of academic articles you can access for free. Keep track of your important quotes and page numbers and put them somewhere that's easy to find later.
And don't forget to check your school or local libraries as well!
#4: Outline
Follow the five-paragraph outline structure from the previous section.
Fill in your topic, your reasons, and your supporting evidence into each of the categories.
Before you begin to flesh out the essay, take a look at what you've got. Is your thesis statement in the first paragraph? Is it clear? Is your argument logical? Does your supporting evidence support your reasoning?
By outlining your essay, you streamline your process and take care of any logic gaps before you dive headfirst into the writing. This will save you a lot of grief later on if you need to change your sources or your structure, so don't get too trigger-happy and skip this step.
Now that you've laid out exactly what you'll need for your essay and where, it's time to fill in all the gaps by writing it out.
Take it one step at a time and expand your ideas into complete sentences and substantiated claims. It may feel daunting to turn an outline into a complete draft, but just remember that you've already laid out all the groundwork; now you're just filling in the gaps.
If you have the time before deadline, give yourself a day or two (or even just an hour!) away from your essay . Looking it over with fresh eyes will allow you to see errors, both minor and major, that you likely would have missed had you tried to edit when it was still raw.
Take a first pass over the entire essay and try your best to ignore any minor spelling or grammar mistakes—you're just looking at the big picture right now. Does it make sense as a whole? Did the essay succeed in making an argument and backing that argument up logically? (Do you feel persuaded?)
If not, go back and make notes so that you can fix it for your final draft.
Once you've made your revisions to the overall structure, mark all your small errors and grammar problems so you can fix them in the next draft.
#7: Final Draft
Use the notes you made on the rough draft and go in and hack and smooth away until you're satisfied with the final result.
A checklist for your final draft:
- Formatting is correct according to your teacher's standards
- No errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Essay is the right length and size for the assignment
- The argument is present, consistent, and concise
- Each reason is supported by relevant evidence
- The essay makes sense overall
#8: Celebrate!
Once you've brought that final draft to a perfect polish and turned in your assignment, you're done! Go you!
Be prepared and ♪ you'll never go hungry again ♪, *cough*, or struggle with your argumentative essay-writing again. (Walt Disney Studios)
Good Examples of Argumentative Essays Online
Theory is all well and good, but examples are key. Just to get you started on what a fully-fleshed out argumentative essay looks like, let's see some examples in action.
Check out these two argumentative essay examples on the use of landmines and freons (and note the excellent use of concrete sources to back up their arguments!).
The Use of Landmines
A Shattered Sky
The Take-Aways: Keys to Writing an Argumentative Essay
At first, writing an argumentative essay may seem like a monstrous hurdle to overcome, but with the proper preparation and understanding, you'll be able to knock yours out of the park.
Remember the differences between a persuasive essay and an argumentative one, make sure your thesis is clear, and double-check that your supporting evidence is both relevant to your point and well-sourced . Pick your topic, do your research, make your outline, and fill in the gaps. Before you know it, you'll have yourself an A+ argumentative essay there, my friend.
What's Next?
Now you know the ins and outs of an argumentative essay, but how comfortable are you writing in other styles? Learn more about the four writing styles and when it makes sense to use each .
Understand how to make an argument, but still having trouble organizing your thoughts? Check out our guide to three popular essay formats and choose which one is right for you.
Ready to make your case, but not sure what to write about? We've created a list of 50 potential argumentative essay topics to spark your imagination.
Courtney scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT in high school and went on to graduate from Stanford University with a degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology. She is passionate about bringing education and the tools to succeed to students from all backgrounds and walks of life, as she believes open education is one of the great societal equalizers. She has years of tutoring experience and writes creative works in her free time.
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208 Best Transition words for Argumentative essay
Searching for “transition words for argumentative essays”? Want some good collection of these words to make your essay top-notch? Seeking an expert guide? Couldn’t find the best sources for it? Deadline approaching but still in the middle of nowhere? Ensure to read this exciting article to know the argumentative essay transition words before you type write my Essay request.
In an Argumentative Essay Writing Service , the writer tends to make his stance clear by giving sufficient evidence and using strong vocabulary to convince the audience. Hence, the most important pillar of such an essay is to add transition words that make it top-notch and ensure a flowy transition from one sentence and idea to another without creating ambiguity. So, to give you what is most important in your essay, here we are with the perfect essay writing guide. Let’s move to it.
Table of Contents
What Are Transition Words?
These words are often used in the essay writing and essay service to create, show, or build a relationship between phrases, words, sentences, paragraphs, and even ideas. Consider these argumentative words as one way to make it easier for the writer, especially when utilizing essay service, to push thoughts and ideas in a way that is most understandable and does not create ambiguity. These words are very important when moving from one idea to another, especially in the context of essay service, as they ensure a flowy transition in ideas. Lacking transitions can distract the audience and make them lose direction easily.
These argumentative transition words, in addition to above, make the audience prepared for what is coming ahead, immediately after one thought or idea. But as we know “with power comes great responsibility”, so we have to ensure the balance of using it. Using these words too much is harmful, just as using these words less will make the essay clumpy and ambiguous. Hence, moderation is necessary for proper utilisation of transition sentences for argumentative essays.
An easier way to understand these words is that they are simply joining words or conjunctions that join two sentences, ideas, thoughts, and paragraphs together.
When crafting content, it also has to be ensured that these words used have a strong relationship with the writing, paragraphs, sentences, etc. Irrelevancy should be avoided, and an AI essay writer can assist in achieving coherence and relevance in your writing.
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What Is the Purpose of Transition Words?
The purpose of such words is to:
Read on as there’s more to come on transition words argumentative essay!
Tie the entire paper together
Disagreements
Convey the thoughts and ideas with rationality and clarity
Help readers understand phrases, words, sentences and the entire piece of writing easily.
Present complex ideas in most understandable way.
Ensure smooth flow of writing by forming a bridge and integrating logic into it.
Help add rigor into the essay and make it enjoyable to read.
How To Use Transition Words?
The use of transition words, although complex, can become spontaneous when used frequently and practising them in writing. This is how to use it generally:
- These words generally appear at the start of any paragraph, sentence, and clause in an essay followed by a comma. This purpose as a connection between the previous sentence and the following clause. Example: the presence of her mother in the function was a big trouble. However, she still was a blessing in disguise.
- These words can also be used in the middle of any clause or sentence but it has to be ensured that it make sense with the idea. Example: she was, however, a blessing in disguise.
- Do not use these argument essay transition words too often. For that you can take help from an AI essay writer , it keeps the transition terms usage standard and gives the best version. Example to understand is: whereas, close people are blessing in disguise, however, the presence of some people make us irritated. Although, not always, but, it happens usually. See, the sentence involving overuse of these words become too clumpy.
This sentence can be best presented as “Although, mothers are always supportive. Father, however, are more rational and harsher. As, family is made of both. So, decide how to keep the balance”.
Which Transition Words or Phrases Indicate a Time Relationship?
Following are transition words for an argumentative essay to indicate a time relationship:
How To Start a Paragraph Transition Words?
These are some words to use in an argumentative essay:
151 Transition Words for An Argumentative Essay
Here is the list of 151 of these argumentative essay words:
For conclusion
For adding quotations.
As shown in
As declared in
As rightly said
As mentioned
This acknowledges
This states that
As confirmed
For analysis
According to
To demonstrate
Subsequently
with this in mind
this is to say that
For synthesis
In this regard
This leads to
Another thing
As noted earlier
The underlying concept
For college essay
Secure Your Custom Essay Writing Solution
Writing and integrating transition words into an essay might not be an easy task. Several important stuff have to be kept in mind to begin with it. However, with this writing guide, pro essay writers ensure that they have made clear how to implement and use such kind of words and phrases.
But if you are still trying to find and seek help from some experts, never forget that perfect essay writing services, are always here to help. We move hand in hand with our help seekers/clients. So, don’t get late. Hurry up, get your perfect services right away.
The transition words that goes against an arguments are:
In contrast
Alternatively
To put differently
On the contrary
In another way
Another thing is to
On the other hand
A good transition sentence in an essay are:
In addition to
Importantly
For instance
Not only but also
Some examples of transition words are:
In contrast
To put differently
To show it,
On the contrary
In another way
While
At the same time
Chiefly
Generally speaking
Alternatively
One alternative is...
To clarify
As a result
These words generally appear at the start of any paragraph, sentence, and clause in an essay followed by a comma.
These words can also be used in the middle of any clause or sentence but it has to be ensured that it make sense with the idea.
Do not use these words too often.
Compare sentences and paragraphs with and without these transitions, and then decide the importance and use of them.
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160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024
April 3, 2024
The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. In sum, argumentative essays teach students how to organize their thoughts logically and present them in a convincing way. This skill is helpful not only for those pursuing degrees in law , international relations , or public policy , but for any student who wishes to develop their critical thinking faculties. In this article, we’ll cover what makes a good argument essay and offer several argumentative essay topics for high school and college students. Let’s begin!
What is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is an essay that uses research to present a reasoned argument on a particular subject . As with the persuasive essay , the purpose of an argumentative essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. However, a strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research and emotion while a strong argumentative essay should be based solely on facts, not feelings.
Moreover, each fact should be supported by clear evidence from credible sources . Furthermore, a good argumentative essay will have an easy-to-follow structure. When organizing your argumentative essay, use this format as a guide:
- Introduction
- Supporting body paragraphs
- Paragraph(s) addressing common counterarguments
Argumentative Essay Format
In the introduction , the writer presents their position and thesis statement —a sentence that summarizes the paper’s main points. The body paragraphs then draw upon supporting evidence to back up this initial statement, with each paragraph focusing on its own point. The length of your paper will determine the amount of examples you need. In general, you’ll likely need at least two to three. Additionally, your examples should be as detailed as possible, citing specific research, case studies, statistics, or anecdotes.
In the counterargument paragraph , the writer acknowledges and refutes opposing viewpoints. Finally, in the conclusion , the writer restates the main argument made in the thesis statement and summarizes the points of the essay. Additionally, the conclusion may offer a final proposal to persuade the reader of the essay’s position.
How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step
- Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. Ideally, a good argumentative essay topic will be meaningful to you—writing is always stronger when you are interested in the subject matter. In addition, the topic should be complex with plenty of “pro” and “con” arguments. Avoid choosing a topic that is either widely accepted as fact or too narrow. For example, “Is the earth round?” would not be a solid choice.
- Research. Use the library, the web, and any other resources to gather information about your argumentative essay topic. Research widely but smartly. As you go, take organized notes, marking the source of every quote and where it may fit in the scheme of your larger essay. Moreover, remember to look for (and research) possible counterarguments.
- Outline . Using the argument essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Then, brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put your examples in order, focusing on logical flow. It’s often best to place your strongest example last.
- Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) Accordingly, just focus on getting the words down on paper.
- Does my thesis statement need to be adjusted?
- Which examples feel strongest? Weakest?
- Do the transitions flow smoothly?
- Do I have a strong opening paragraph?
- Does the conclusion reinforce my argument?
Tips for Revising an Argument Essay
Evaluating your own work can be difficult, so you might consider the following strategies:
- Read your work aloud to yourself.
- Record yourself reading your paper, and listen to the recording.
- Reverse outline your paper. Firstly, next to each paragraph, write a short summary of that paragraph’s main points/idea. Then, read through your reverse outline. Does it have a logical flow? If not, where should you adjust?
- Print out your paper and cut it into paragraphs. What happens when you rearrange the paragraphs?
Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School, High School, and College Students
Family argumentative essay topics.
- Should the government provide financial incentives for families to have children to address the declining birth rate?
- Should we require parents to provide their children with a certain level of nutrition and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity?
- Should parents implement limits on how much time their children spend playing video games?
- Should cell phones be banned from family/holiday gatherings?
- Should we hold parents legally responsible for their children’s actions?
- Should children have the right to sue their parents for neglect?
- Should parents have the right to choose their child’s religion?
- Are spanking and other forms of physical punishment an effective method of discipline?
- Should courts allow children to choose where they live in cases of divorce?
- Should parents have the right to monitor teens’ activity on social media?
- Should parents control their child’s medical treatment, even if it goes against the child’s wishes?
- Should parents be allowed to post pictures of their children on social media without their consent?
- Should fathers have a legal say in whether their partners do or do not receive an abortion?
- Can television have positive developmental benefits on children?
- Should the driving age be raised to prevent teen car accidents?
- Should adult children be legally required to care for their aging parents?
Education Argument Essay Topics
- Should schools ban the use of technology like ChatGPT?
- Are zoos unethical, or necessary for conservation and education?
- To what degree should we hold parents responsible in the event of a school shooting?
- Should schools offer students a set number of mental health days?
- Should school science curriculums offer a course on combating climate change?
- Should public libraries be allowed to ban certain books? If so, what types?
- What role, if any, should prayer play in public schools?
- Should schools push to abolish homework?
- Are gifted and talented programs in schools more harmful than beneficial due to their exclusionary nature?
- Should universities do away with Greek life?
- Should schools remove artwork, such as murals, that some perceive as offensive?
- Should the government grant parents the right to choose alternative education options for their children and use taxpayer funds to support these options?
- Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling for children’s academic and social development?
- Should we require schools to teach sex education to reduce teen pregnancy rates?
- Should we require schools to provide sex education that includes information about both homosexual and heterosexual relationships?
- Should colleges use affirmative action and other race-conscious policies to address diversity on campus?
- Should public schools remove the line “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance?
- Should college admissions officers be allowed to look at students’ social media accounts?
- Should schools abolish their dress codes, many of which unfairly target girls, LGBTQ students, and students of color?
- Should schools be required to stock free period products in bathrooms?
- Should legacy students receive preferential treatment during the college admissions process?
- Are school “voluntourism” trips ethical?
Government Argumentative Essay Topics
- Should the U.S. decriminalize prostitution?
- Should the U.S. issue migration visas to all eligible applicants?
- Should the federal government cancel all student loan debt?
- Should we lower the minimum voting age? If so, to what?
- Should the federal government abolish all laws penalizing drug production and use?
- Should the U.S. use its military power to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?
- Should the U.S. supply Ukraine with further military intelligence and supplies?
- Should the North and South of the U.S. split up into two regions?
- Should Americans hold up nationalism as a critical value?
- Should we permit Supreme Court justices to hold their positions indefinitely?
- Should Supreme Court justices be democratically elected?
- Is the Electoral College still a productive approach to electing the U.S. president?
- Should the U.S. implement a national firearm registry?
- Is it ethical for countries like China and Israel to mandate compulsory military service for all citizens?
- Should the U.S. government implement a ranked-choice voting system?
- Should institutions that benefited from slavery be required to provide reparations?
- Based on the 1619 project, should history classes change how they teach about the founding of the U.S.?
- Should term limits be imposed on Senators and Representatives? If so, how long?
- Should women be allowed into special forces units?
- Should the federal government implement stronger, universal firearm licensing laws?
- Do public sex offender registries help prevent future sex crimes?
- Should the government be allowed to regulate family size?
- Should all adults legally be considered mandated reporters?
- Should the government fund public universities to make higher education more accessible to low-income students?
- Should the government fund universal preschool to improve children’s readiness for kindergarten?
Health/Bioethics Argumentative Essay Topics
- Should the U.S. government offer its own healthcare plan?
- In the case of highly infectious pandemics, should we focus on individual freedoms or public safety when implementing policies to control the spread?
- Should we legally require parents to vaccinate their children to protect public health?
- Is it ethical for parents to use genetic engineering to create “designer babies” with specific physical and intellectual traits?
- Should the government fund research on embryonic stem cells for medical treatments?
- Should the government legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients?
- Should organ donation be mandatory?
- Is cloning animals ethical?
- Should cancer screenings start earlier? If so, what age?
- Is surrogacy ethical?
- Should birth control require a prescription?
- Should minors have access to emergency contraception?
- Should hospitals be for-profit or nonprofit institutions?
Good Argumentative Essay Topics — Continued
Social media argumentative essay topics.
- Should the federal government increase its efforts to minimize the negative impact of social media?
- Do social media and smartphones strengthen one’s relationships?
- Should antitrust regulators take action to limit the size of big tech companies?
- Should social media platforms ban political advertisements?
- Should the federal government hold social media companies accountable for instances of hate speech discovered on their platforms?
- Do apps such as TikTok and Instagram ultimately worsen the mental well-being of teenagers?
- Should governments oversee how social media platforms manage their users’ data?
- Should social media platforms like Facebook enforce a minimum age requirement for users?
- Should social media companies be held responsible for cases of cyberbullying?
- Should the United States ban TikTok?
- Is social media harmful to children?
- Should employers screen applicants’ social media accounts during the hiring process?
Religion Argument Essay Topics
- Should religious institutions be tax-exempt?
- Should religious symbols such as the hijab or crucifix be allowed in public spaces?
- Should religious freedoms be protected, even when they conflict with secular laws?
- Should the government regulate religious practices?
- Should we allow churches to engage in political activities?
- Religion: a force for good or evil in the world?
- Should the government provide funding for religious schools?
- Is it ethical for healthcare providers to deny abortions based on religious beliefs?
- Should religious organizations be allowed to discriminate in their hiring practices?
- Should we allow people to opt out of medical treatments based on their religious beliefs?
- Should the U.S. government hold religious organizations accountable for cases of sexual abuse within their community?
- Should religious beliefs be exempt from anti-discrimination laws?
- Should religious individuals be allowed to refuse services to others based on their beliefs or lifestyles? (As in this famous case .)
- Should the US ban religion-based federal holidays?
- Should public schools be allowed to teach children about religious holidays?
Science Argument Essay Topics
- Would the world be safer if we eliminated nuclear weapons?
- Should scientists bring back extinct animals? If so, which ones?
- Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
- Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
- Should the federal government ban all fossil fuels, despite the potential economic impact on specific industries and communities?
- What renewable energy source should the U.S. invest more money in?
- Should the FDA outlaw GMOs?
- Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?
- Should the alternative medicine industry be more stringently regulated?
- Is colonizing Mars a viable option?
- Is the animal testing worth the potential to save human lives?
Sports Argument Essay Topics
- Should colleges compensate student-athletes?
- How should sports teams and leagues address the gender pay gap?
- Should youth sports teams do away with scorekeeping?
- Should we ban aggressive contact sports like boxing and MMA?
- Should professional sports associations mandate that athletes stand during the national anthem?
- Should high schools require their student-athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
- Should transgender athletes compete in sports according to their gender identity?
- Should schools ban football due to the inherent danger it poses to players?
- Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
- Do participation trophies foster entitlement and unrealistic expectations?
- Should sports teams be divided by gender?
- Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
- Should women be allowed on NFL teams?
Technology Argumentative Essay Topics
- Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
- Should the federal government make human exploration of space a more significant priority?
- Is it ethical for the government to use surveillance technology to monitor citizens?
- Should websites require proof of age from their users? If so, what age?
- Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
- Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?
- Is online learning as effective as in-person learning?
- Does computing harm the environment?
- Should buying, sharing, and selling collected personal data be illegal?
- Are electric cars really better for the environment?
- Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents?
- Should private jets be banned?
- Do violent video games contribute to real-life violence?
Business Argument Essay Topics
- Should the U.S. government phase out the use of paper money in favor of a fully digital currency system?
- Should the federal government abolish its patent and copyright laws?
- Should we replace the Federal Reserve with free-market institutions?
- Is free-market ideology responsible for the U.S. economy’s poor performance over the past decade?
- Will cryptocurrencies overtake natural resources like gold and silver?
- Is capitalism the best economic system? What system would be better?
- Should the U.S. government enact a universal basic income?
- Should we require companies to provide paid parental leave to their employees?
- Should the government raise the minimum wage? If so, to what?
- Should antitrust regulators break up large companies to promote competition?
- Is it ethical for companies to prioritize profits over social responsibility?
- Should gig-economy workers like Uber and Lyft drivers be considered employees or independent contractors?
- Should the federal government regulate the gig economy to ensure fair treatment of workers?
- Should the government require companies to disclose the environmental impact of their products?
- Should companies be allowed to fire employees based on political views or activities?
- Should tipping practices be phased out?
- Should employees who choose not to have children be given the same amount of paid leave as parents?
- Should MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) be illegal?
- Should employers be allowed to factor tattoos and personal appearance into hiring decisions?
In Conclusion – Argument Essay Topics
Using the tips above, you can effectively structure and pen a compelling argumentative essay that will wow your instructor and classmates. Remember to craft a thesis statement that offers readers a roadmap through your essay, draw on your sources wisely to back up any claims, and read through your paper several times before it’s due to catch any last-minute proofreading errors. With time, diligence, and patience, your essay will be the most outstanding assignment you’ve ever turned in…until the next one rolls around.
Looking for more fresh and engaging topics for use in the classroom? You might consider checking out the following:
- 125 Good Debate Topics for High School Students
- 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
- 7 Best Places to Study
- Guide to the IB Extended Essay
- How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay
- AP Lit Reading List
- How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
- 49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics
- High School Success
Lauren Green
With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook A Great Dark House (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).
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Home — Essay Samples — Education — High School — The High School to College Transition
The High School to College Transition
- Categories: College Education High School
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Published: Sep 5, 2023
Words: 598 | Page: 1 | 3 min read
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The bridge between two worlds, academic expectations, social and personal growth, adjusting to a larger environment, mental and emotional transitions, overcoming challenges, celebrating triumphs.
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Transition can also be a sentence to a paragraph long. I'll show you an example. Paragraph A: A point that supports co-sleeping as a parenting method. Transition: Despite this, there are many reasons that prove co-sleeping leads to sleep-related accidents. Paragraph B: Points that oppose co-sleeping.
Transition words for essays with examples. Here are examples of sentences using each of the transition words for cause: Additionally: "She enjoys playing the piano. Additionally, she is proficient in playing the guitar.". Furthermore: "The research indicated a positive correlation between exercise and mental health.
Vary Transition Words: Avoid repetitive or excessive use of the same transition word throughout your essay. Use a variety of transition words to maintain reader interest and enhance overall readability. Pay Attention to Placement: Place transition words at the beginning, middle, or end of sentences, depending on the desired effect. Consider the ...
These transitional words (like finally) have the function of limiting, restricting, and defining time. They can be used either alone or as part of adverbial expressions. at the present time. from time to time. sooner or later. at the same time. up to the present time. to begin with.
Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your paper. However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations. Before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure…
Transition Words for Argumentative Essays. 4. Transition Words for Persuasive Essays. 5. Transition Words for Compare and Contrast Essays. 6. Transition Words for Informative Essays. 7. Transition Words for Expository Essays.
Example sentence. Transition words and phrases. Addition. We found that the mixture was effective. Moreover, it appeared to have additional effects we had not predicted. indeed, furthermore, moreover, additionally, and, also, both x and y, not only x but also y, besides x, in fact. Introduction.
Transition Words for Essays for First Body Paragraph. Here is a list of transition words that you can use for the first body paragraph of an essay: Firstly. To start off. Primarily. Another important factor is. To begin with. In the beginning. Above all.
Common Transition Words and Phrases. ... 9. Emphasis. Use to suggest that an idea is particularly important to your argument important to note, most of all, a significant factor, a primary concern, a key feature, remember that, pay particular attention to, a central issue, the most substantial issue, the main value, a major event, the chief factor, a distinctive quality, especially valuable ...
For example, the following text uses three transition words and jumps back and forth between ideas. This makes it repetitive and difficult to follow. Example of overused transition words. Smith (2019) argues for the former hypothesis. However, Jones (2017) argues for the latter, while Davies (2015) agrees with Smith.
Transition words to conclude an argumentative essay can be as follows: "To sum up," "Finally," "All in all," "Hence," "So," or "In the final analysis.". In the above PDF file, I've gathered the ultimate list of transition words and phrases to use in different parts of your essay.
writing. A good way to tell if you might need to add a transitional word of phrase is to read your work aloud. If an idea seems disjointed or if a shift in a description or idea is confusing, you might want to add a transitional word or phrase. Think about what the relationship is between disconnected sentences.
Hey there! Great to see you focused on improving your essay-writing skills. Using transitions effectively can definitely help your essays flow more smoothly and be easier to read. Here's a list of some transition words and phrases that you might find useful: To add information or build on a point: - Furthermore - Additionally - Moreover - Also - In addition To compare or connect similar ideas ...
33 Transition Words and Phrases. 'Besides,' 'furthermore,' 'although,' and other words to help you jump from one idea to the next. Transitional terms give writers the opportunity to prepare readers for a new idea, connecting the previous sentence to the next one. Many transitional words are nearly synonymous: words that broadly indicate that ...
Here are some of the most common contrast transition words for essays, followed by examples: but. however. in spite of. on the one hand/on the other hand. in contrast. on the contrary. still. yet.
College-level essays benefit from the use of advanced transition words such as "Consequently," "Henceforth," or "In retrospect," which add a layer of sophistication to your writing. High school ...
Transitional expressions can help tie ideas together and show relationships. They also reveal organization patterns to help your reader follow along. Try out a few in your paper. Be sure that any transition you use makes logical sense. To add an idea: first, second, third, next, in addition, moreover, furthermore, besides, as well.
An argumentative essay attempts to convince a reader to agree with a particular argument (the writer's thesis statement). The writer takes a firm stand one way or another on a topic and then uses hard evidence to support that stance. An argumentative essay seeks to prove to the reader that one argument —the writer's argument— is the ...
Along with transition words, rhetorical devices and literary devices are other tools to consider during this stage of essay writing. Transition Words for College Essays. While this list will be a useful tool for all types of essay writing it will be particularly helpful when it comes to finding the right transition words for college essays. The ...
Read on as there's more to come on transition words argumentative essay! Tie the entire paper together. Help demonstrates the writer's: Agreements. Disagreements. Conclusion. Thoughts. Contrasts. Convey the thoughts and ideas with rationality and clarity.
Lauren Green. With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook A Great Dark House (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming ...
The high school to college transition is a pivotal journey that shapes personal, academic, and emotional growth. While it comes with its share of uncertainties, challenges, and adjustments, it also offers an array of opportunities for self-discovery, exploration, and empowerment. By embracing the transition with an open mind and a willingness ...