Using appropriate transitions

Use Appropriate Transitions

Transitions play an important role in the development of an academic essay. They help to create a sense of coherence and provide signposting for the reader to follow the writer’s thread of thought. Choosing the appropriate transition that makes the logical connection will ensure that the reader understands the text in the way the author had intended. Consider the following examples:

  1. The authors have made a strong case for their view and also provided some statistical evidence to support their arguments against euthanasia. On the other hand, they have also appealed to the general moral sense of obligation for doctors to save and heal.
  2. The authors have made a strong case for their view and also provided some statistical evidence to support their arguments against They have also appealed to the general moral sense of obligation for doctors to save and heal.
  3. The authors have made a strong case for their view and also provided some statistical evidence to support their arguments against euthanasia. On the other hand, they have failed to consider the further distinction between active euthanasia and passive euthanasia.

The use of On the other hand in text A is inappropriate because what follows is not in contrast with the point made in the preceding sentence. The student could have used Moreover or Furthermore since the intention is to add another point in support of the authors’ argument. Alternatively, the text could continue as in B without any transition since the use of also in the sentence adequately links it to the previous one. Text C illustrates the correct use of the transition as it signals a contrast.
Here is a text showing another notoriously misused transition:

In the last few years, revenue from the export sector has been on the decline. On the contrary, revenue coming from the hospitality industry has seen a healthy growth.

In this case, the transition is inappropriate. The student could have used In contrast or On the other hand. On the contrary is used to signal a contrast to an idea expressed just before it or to a claim made or implied, as in the following example:

In the last few years, revenue from the export sector has been declining sharply. We might therefore expect to see a reasonable dent in the overall growth of the economy. On the contrary, the economy is still as robust as before. This could be largely due to…