Some Connectors For Your Essay

Here is a chart of the transitional devices (also called conjunctive adverbs or adverbial conjunctions) accompanied with a simplified definition of function (note that some devices appear with morethan one definition):

addition
again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, last, moreover, next, second, still,too

comparison
also, in the same way, likewise, similarly

concession
granted, naturally, of course

contrast
although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that,even so, even though, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, regardless, still, though, yet

emphasiscertainly, indeed, in fact, of course

example or illustration
after all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance, in conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other words, in short, it istrue, of course, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, truly

summary
all in all, altogether, as has been said, finally, in brief, in conclusion, in other words, in particular, inshort, in simpler terms, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to summarize

time sequence
after a while, afterward, again, also, and then, as long as, at last, atlength, at that time, before, besides, earlier, eventually, finally, formerly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, in the past, last, lately, meanwhile, moreover, next, now,presently, second, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still, subsequently, then, thereafter, too, until, until now, when

A word of caution: Do not interlard your text with transitionalexpressions merely because you know these devices connect ideas. They must appear, naturally, where they belong, or they'll stick like a fishbone in your reader's craw. (For that same reason, there is no...