105 Transition Words to Start a Paragraph in an Essay

Every student knows the frustration of writing an essay that feels choppy. You finish your draft, read it back, and the sentences sound like puzzle pieces that don’t fit. Studies show that 73% of U.S. 8th and 12th-grade students lack proficiency in writing, and 50% of U.S. high school graduates are not prepared for college writing.

That’s where transition words to start a new paragraph in an essay step in. They smooth the ride, carrying readers from one thought to the next without bumps. In this article, we’ll provide a list of examples that will help you ace your next essay.

And when the stress of writing builds up, WME stands as a platform where students can find whatever type of support they need the most.

An essay transition word is a word or a short phrase that links sentences and paragraphs, showing how one idea connects to the next in academic writing. With transition words, the path feels steady, guiding the reader the same way a good conversation naturally moves along.

Say you’re working on your first body paragraph about climate change. You explain how rising sea levels threaten coastal towns. Then you add: ‘In addition, warmer temperatures intensify storms.’ That quick phrase, in addition, links your previous statement to the new idea and helps the reader follow your argument into the next point.

Transition words and phrases in essay announce what kind of relationship exists between sentences. ‘Because’ signals a chain of cause and effect. ‘Similarly’ pulls two thoughts side by side. ‘Nonetheless’ throws down a challenge. Take this example:

Students who sleep less than six hours perform worse on memory tests. Many undergraduates report pulling weekly all-nighters. Cognitive function declines with fatigue.

Students who sleep less than six hours perform worse on memory tests. In fact, many undergraduates report pulling weekly all-nighters, and as a result, cognitive function declines with fatigue.

The second version teaches the reader how to read the idea. First, a claim. Then, a confirming instance. Finally, the consequence.

Additionally, your choice of transition reveals how you think. Opt for ‘nonetheless’ instead of ‘but’, and you show that the contrast really carries weight. Pick ‘ultimately’ to start a conclusion, and you’re hinting that everything before was building toward this final analysis.

Transitions for essays help readers see the logical relationship between ideas. Each type signals something different, whether you’re adding information, showing contrast, or drawing a conclusion. Below, you’ll find good transition words to start a paragraph in an essay examples.

• Also
• In addition
• Furthermore
• Along with
• Equally important
• Moreover
• Coupled with
• Plus

• Because
• Therefore
• As a result
• Due to
• For this reason
• Consequently
• Hence
• Accordingly

• Likewise
• Similarly
• In the same way
• Just as
• Equally
• Parallel to
• Much like
• In a similar fashion
• Comparable to

• Although
• But
• Yet
• On the contrary
• Even though
• Nonetheless
• Still
• Despite
• In spite of

• Above all
• Especially
• Significantly
• In particular
• Indeed
• Without a doubt
• Notably

• For instance
• Such as
• Like
• In other words
• Namely

• Chiefly
• Primarily
• Most importantly
• Of course
• Largely
• First and foremost
• At the core

• First place
• Second place
• Next
• After
• Finally
• Following
• Earlier
• At the same time
• Subsequently

• In conclusion
• Overall
• In sum
• To summarize
• Ultimately
• In the final analysis
• On the whole
• For the most part
• In short
• As a result
• To wrap up

• Afterward
• During
• Immediately
• Later
• Meanwhile
• Until
• When
• Presently
• Soon

• Above
• Below
• Beyond
• Nearby
• Between
• Across
• Beside
• Here
• There

• In other words
• Simply put
• That is to say
• To clarify
• Namely
• Put differently
• Stated differently
• That is
• In simpler terms
• To put it another way
• Expressed simply
• In short
• To explain
• That means
• In plain language

When used well, transition words for different parts of an essay connect ideas smoothly. When misused, they distract or confuse. Here’s how to use linking words for different parts of an essay, with examples of what works and what doesn’t.

Good: ‘To begin with, education shapes not only individual futures but also society as a whole.’

Bad: 'In conclusion, education shapes futures…' (Never use concluding words in the opening.)

Good: 'Furthermore, studies show that students who write daily improve long-term memory.'

Bad: 'Furthermore, students write daily and they improve.' (Repetition feels clumsy.)

Good: 'Because many students lack sleep, their test scores drop accordingly.'

Bad: 'Because students lack sleep, their test scores drop.' (Overuse makes the sentence confusing.)

Good: 'On the contrary, group projects don’t always build teamwork.'

Bad: 'On the contrary, but group projects don’t always build teamwork.' (Doubling up is unnecessary.)

Good: 'In the final analysis, consistent study habits outweigh last-minute cramming.'

Bad: 'In the final analysis, cramming is bad.' (Too vague and abrupt.)

Transition words for essays to start a paragraph are the structure that keeps ideas connected. They turn scattered sentences into arguments with flow. Still, choosing the right ones matters just as much as avoiding the wrong ones. To keep your essay sharp, check this guide on words to avoid in essay writing.

And if you ever need more than just a transition word list, such as guidance on how to create arguments that hold together, WME is here with academic advice that takes you further than any word list on its own.