For long pieces of written work, such as lengthy essays or biographies, it may be necessary to incorporate transitions between sections. This transition varies in length and can be anywhere between a paragraph and an entire page. Make sure that during the transition you are able to summarize the previous section and prepare the reader for the upcoming section, specifying how the two are related.
Transitions that take place between paragraphs are usually shorter in length and can be one word or a few sentences. This transition can be positioned at the end of the first paragraph, the beginning of the second paragraph or in both places. As you would with transition between sections, make sure to highlight the relationship between the first and the second paragraph. The primary difference between a transition between paragraphs and a transition between sections is the length of the transition. A transition between paragraphs should ideally be no longer than a few sentences while a transition between sections can be lengthier.
The transitions that take place within paragraphs tend to be single words or short phrases. It helps to cue the reader as far as what to anticipate next and it helps organize the sentences so that they flow well together. The message you wish to convey will determine which transitional words will be appropriate. For instance, if you want to add information to the text, words like "furthermore" and "additionally" work well.
Transitional expressions convey a logical relationship between sentences, paragraphs or sections. Logical relationships include similarity, time, sequence, emphasis, example and conclusion, just to name a few. If the logical relationship you wanted to create between two sentences involved contrast, possibilities include "however," "in spite of" and "nonetheless." To convey sequence, words such as "first," "second," "lastly" are appropriate. Transistional expressions prepare the reader for what to expect next.
You can improve your ability to transition by breaking written passages into sections. Once you have sections, evaluate the transitions among the sections. If a change seems abrupt and lacks a logical relationship between sections, you may need to add a transitional sentence or paragraph that summarizes what came before and connects it with what is to follow. Repeat this process for transitions between paragraphs and within paragraphs.