how to transition into a conclusion in a speech

Ace the Presentation

Smooth Transition in a Speech – 69 Transition Statements

There are times when you listen to a speech and you wonder, how does the speaker relate these two things, or if he jumped topics and you felt completely lost. Knowing how to make a smooth transition in a speech will help you as a speaker to keep your audience engaged and on topic.

Any speech tends to be well-structured and it contains an introduction, body, and conclusion. A smooth transition is necessary between these sections for any speech to make an impact. The body or the main section of a speech may have various points and information that you convey and you have to transition between them as well.

If you ever feel so, then the speaker has not used the right transitions in his speech and it all feels out of space. In this article, we will talk about transitions in a speech and share with you 69 words or phrases that will help you connect ideas and smoothly transition between several points in your speech.

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Speech Starting Transitions

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Why are transitions important in a speech?

Speech transition help connect the previous idea to the next, keeping the audience engaged. In conversations and presentations, it is critical to maintain a flow and make sense, that one or two words or phrases are paramount to achieve that.

Speech transitions help relate and connect your ideas and help your audience to follow and understand your words better.

How to make your speech flow more naturally and avoid boring your audience?

There are various types of speech transitions that help a speech flow naturally and avoid boring the audience.

When the audience understands your thought process and ideas they will be drawn to the speech and not feel bored.

Transition in a Speech: Types of Speech Transitions

Introduction transition statements.

As you begin your speech, you cannot directly start making your points, you need to ease into it. You generally begin any speech by addressing your crowd and giving an introduction and this can help captivate or interest your audience. You can make use of the following phrases to introduce your topic –

Today I will be discussing…
We will be looking at/identifying/investigating/analyzing….
The points that I will be discussing…

Example: Today I will be discussing various types of speech transitions.

Speech Transitions to Highlight the first point

After you are done with the introduction, you need to move on to the first point of your speech. A simple transition word can help highlight that you are making a point.

Firstly, let’s begin with….
To get started….
My first point….
I want to begin by….

Example: I want to begin by addressing the main point.

Speech Transitions to use between similar ideas

When you are talking about similar ideas, you need to tell the audience that you are transitioning between similar ideas.

Similarly….
In the same way….

Example: In the same way , you can also use likewise to transition between similar ideas.

Speech Transitions to use between conflicting points

In parts of your speech, you may address conflicting points and transitions help you highlight such conflicting points.

Conversely…
The opposing argument….
On the other hand….
On the other side….
Despite this…
Nonetheless…
We can’t ignore the fact that….
Now let’s consider….

Example : There’s always a good and bad side to most things in life. For example, you can try to read all the interesting articles and advice online and have a wealth of knowledge. But, on the other hand , if you don’t act upon what you have learned, it’s just a waste of time.

Speech Transitions used to elaborate ideas

During any speech, you may need to elaborate on various ideas and thoughts. Using transitions in speech you can easily elaborate on your ideas and thoughts.

In addition/Additionally….
Furthermore….

Example: Furthermore , there are various types of transitions in speech that help to show cause.

Transition phrases to illustrate Numbered Points

Whenever you have a series of points you tend to number then and transition between them as follows.

First/Firstly…
Second/Secondly…
The first step….
The second step…
Lastly/Finally….

Example – Let’s talk about how you can overcome your fear of making eye contact: First, make sure you are looking in reasonable intervals, to all the audience (left/right/up/down). Second, look at their foreheads it’s less intimidating to you and it feels like you’re looking at them in the eye for the audience. Third…

Transitions phrases to show cause

Whenever you are trying to prove a point or come to a conclusion, the audience should understand that this is what you are implying.

Therefore….
Consequently…
As a result…

Example: Therefore , you need to make use of speech transitions to strengthen your speech.

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Transition Phrases to give an example

To make your words and thoughts more powerful, you make use of examples. You can just talk about an example by making the following transitions.

For example…
For instance…
As an example….
Take the case of/example of….
Let me illustrate this by…

Example: We always have to make some sacrifices and changes in our day to day life to experience a new way of life. For example, if you start waking up just an hour or two earlier compared to now, you have just gained extra time to meditate, exercise and plan your entire day..

Transition Statements to demonstration

Let me demonstrate this…
To explain this further, I’ll show you a demo….
I’ll conduct an experiment to prove this theory…

Example: To explain this further , I’ll show you a demo between speeches with and without transitions.

Transition phrases to mention quotes

When you pull facts and quote someone, you need to mention it in the following way –

In 1969, Y said…
This was pointed out by Y, he said…

Example: William Shakespeare said “ All that glitters is not gold”.

Transition to a side note

On a side note…
Incidentally…
That reminds me…

Example: That reminds me of an example that I’d like to give to make my point more clear.

Transition to another speaker

When you have a co-speaker or someone to explain some part of the speech and you need to transition to them, you can use the following transition phrases –

Now for the next topic, we have X…
I’ll pass the mic to X, who will talk about….
To guide us through a demo, we have X…
Now X will talk about…

Example: Now for the next topic , we have Eric to talk about various speech transitions.

Transition to an earlier point

There are some parts in a speech where you may need to recall an earlier point and this can be done as follows –

Let’s return….
Let’s go back to…
Let’s revisit….
Do you recall…

Example: Remember when we spoke about trolls? Let’s dive deep into that now.

Transition to a visual aid

When your speech is backed up by charts and various visual data that can be displayed to the audience, you may need to show it to them and you transition by the following phrases –

This table indicates…
As you can see…
I’d like to show you/direct your attention to…
This diagram….

Example: The next slide shows us how our results have increased this month. As you can see here, the number of sales is especially high during the weekends.

Transition at the end of a point

Once you are the end of a point you need to conclude the point, provide a brief summary and address the next point.

In the first part of speech….
Now I’d like to move on to…

The transition from Speech to Conclusion

Once you are at the end of your speech, you need to provide a brief summary or conclusion to make sure your audience has understood the main points of your speech and you can be open to any questions or doubts. You can use the following speech transition phrases –

The summary is….
In conclusion…
Let’s recap what we’ve covered…
Let’s summarize the key points…

Example: In conclusion, speech transitions are necessary to make a speech flow flawlessly.

Communications Coach Expert Alex Lyon shares an interesting video on Youtube with tips on how to effectively use Transition Statements for Public Speaking. Check it out below:

Smooth Transition in a speech helps to stitch together a perfect dress that is your speech. They are hardly take up any space in your speech but are essential and effective. Without such transitions, any speech may seem poor and of lesser quality.

The audience also needs to be able to follow and understand your speech and for that to happen you need to make use of perfect speech transition phrases.

REFERENCES & FURTHER READING

https://franticallyspeaking.com/effective-speech-transitions-how-to-make-your-speech-flow/

https://virtualspeech.com/blog/speech-transitions-words-phrases

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how to transition into a conclusion in a speech

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Speech transitions: words and phrases to connect your ideas

June 28, 2018 - Gini Beqiri

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant.

This can be done using speech transitions because these act as signposts to the audience – signalling the relationship between points and ideas. This article explores how to use speech transitions in presentations.

What are speech transitions?

Speech transitions are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

This makes it easier for the audience to understand your argument and without transitions the audience may be confused as to how one point relates to another and they may think you’re randomly jumping between points.

Types of transitions

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different types, here are a few:

Introduction

Introduce your topic:

We will be looking at/identifying/investigating the effects of…
Today I will be discussing…

Presentation outline

Inform the audience of the structure of your presentation:

There are three key points I’ll be discussing…
I want to begin by…, and then I’ll move on to…
We’ll be covering… from two points of view…
This presentation is divided into four parts…

Move from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
First, let’s begin with…
I will first cover…
My first point covers…
To get started, let’s look at…

Shift between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

In the same way…
Likewise…
Equally…
This is similar to…
Similarly…

Shift between disagreeing points

You may have to introduce conflicting ideas – bridging words and phrases are especially good for this:

Conversely…
Despite this…
However…
On the contrary…
Now let’s consider…
Even so…
Nonetheless…
We can’t ignore…
On the other hand…

Transition to a significant issue

Fundamentally…
A major issue is…
The crux of the matter…
A significant concern is…

Referring to previous points

You may have to refer to something that you’ve already spoken about because, for example, there may have been a break or a fire alarm etc:

Let’s return to…
We briefly spoke about X earlier; let’s look at it in more depth now…
Let’s revisit…
Let’s go back to…
Do you recall when I mentioned…

This can be also be useful to introduce a new point because adults learn better when new information builds on previously learned information.

Introducing an aside note

You may want to introduce a digression:

I’d just like to mention…
That reminds me…
Incidentally…

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
You discuss your second point from the centre again.
You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Emphasising importance

You need to ensure that the audience get the message by informing them why something is important:

More importantly…
This is essential…
Primarily…
Mainly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Speech transitions during a team meeting

Cause and effect

You will have to transition to show relationships between factors:

Therefore…
Thus…
Consequently…
As a result…
This is significant because…
Hence…

Elaboration

Also…
Besides…
What’s more…
In addition/additionally…
Moreover…
Furthermore…

Point-by-point or steps of a process

First/firstly/The first one is…
Second/Secondly/The second one is…
Third/Thirdly/The third one is…
Last/Lastly/Finally/The fourth one is…

Introduce an example

This is demonstrated by…
For instance…
Take the case of…
For example…
You may be asking whether this happens in X? The answer is yes…
To show/illustrate/highlight this…
Let me illustrate this by…

Transition to a demonstration

Now that we’ve covered the theory, let’s practically apply it…
I’ll conduct an experiment to show you this in action…
Let me demonstrate this…
I’ll now show you this…

Introducing a quotation

X was a supporter of this thinking because he said…
There is a lot of support for this, for example, X said…

Transition to another speaker

In a group presentation you must transition to other speakers:

Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Gayle will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Gayle”.
The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Simon.”

From these examples, you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

You can tell personal stories or share the experiences of others to introduce a point. Anecdotes are especially valuable for your introduction and between different sections of the presentation because they engage the audience. Ensure that you plan the stories thoroughly beforehand and that they are not too long.

Using questions

You can transition through your speech by asking questions and these questions also have the benefit of engaging your audience more. There are three different types of questions:

Direct questions require an answer: “What is the capital of Italy?” These are mentally stimulating for the audience.

Rhetorical questions do not require answers, they are often used to emphasises an idea or point: “Is the Pope catholic?

Loaded questions contain an unjustified assumption made to prompt the audience into providing a particular answer which you can then correct to support your point: You may ask “Why does your wonderful company have such a low incidence of mental health problems?”.

The audience will generally answer that they’re happy. After receiving the answers you could then say “Actually it’s because people are still unwilling and too embarrassed to seek help for mental health issues at work etc.”

Transition to a visual aid

If you are going to introduce a visual aid you must prepare the audience with what they’re going to see, for example, you might be leading into a diagram that supports your statement. Also, before you show the visual aid , explain why you’re going to show it, for example, “This graph is a significant piece of evidence supporting X”.

When the graphic is on display get the audience to focus on it:

The table indicates…
As you can see…
I’d like to direct your attention to…

Explain what the visual is showing:

You can see that there has been a reduction in…
The diagram is comparing the…

Using a visual aid to transition

Visual aids can also be used as transitions and they have the benefit of being stimulating and breaking-up vocal transitions.

You might have a slide with just a picture on it to signify to the audience that you’re moving on to a new point – ensure that this image is relevant to the point. Many speakers like to use cartoons for this purpose but ensure its suitable for your audience.

Always summarise your key points first in the conclusion:

Let’s recap on what we’ve spoken about today…
Let me briefly summarise the main points…

And then conclude:

If you have a shorter speech you may choose to end your presentation with one statement:

In short…
To sum up…
In a nutshell…
To summarise…
In conclusion…

However, using statements such as “To conclude” may cause the audience to stop listening. It’s better to say:

I’d like to leave you with this…
What you should take away from this is…
Finally, I want to say…

Call to action

Requesting the audience to do something at the end of the presentation:

You may be thinking how can I help in this matter? Well…
My aim is to encourage you to go further and…
What I’m requesting of you is…

Common mistakes

When transitions are used poorly you can annoy and confuse the audience. Avoid:

Using transitions that are too short – transitions are a key part of ensuring the audience understands your presentation so spend sufficient time linking to your next idea.
Too many tangents – any digressions should still be relevant to the topic and help the audience with their understanding, otherwise cut them out.
Incompatible transitions – for example, if you’re about to introduce an example that supports your statement you wouldn’t introduce this by saying “but”. Use transitions that signify the relationship between points.
Over-using the same transition because this is boring for the audience to hear repeatedly. Ensure that there is variety with your transitions, consider including visual transitions.
Miscounting your transitions – for example, don’t say “first point”, “second point”, “next point” – refer to your points consistently.

Speech transitions are useful for unifying and connecting your presentation. The audience are more likely to remain engaged since they’ll be able to follow your points. But remember that it’s important to practice your transitions beforehand and not just the content of your arguments because you risk looking unprofessional and confusing the audience if the presentation does not flow smoothly.

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13 Transitions: Bridging Ideas for a Seamless Presentation

Good transitions can make a speech more important to the audience because they feel they are being taken to a positive conclusion without having to travel a bumpy road. – Joe Griffith

Transitions

The difference between a novice speaker and an advanced speaker is in how they bridge the gap between ideas. Learning to use transitions effectively will help take your speaking to the advanced level. Transitions can be one word, a phrase, or a full sentence.

The audience is dying to know the relationship between ideas. Their brains are hard-wired for that. It’s more important when you are speaking than when you are writing because the listeners can’t go back – they have to get it when it happens. If the brain is bored, or gets tired because it’s overwhelmed, or gets confused – it can’t stay in that place, so it daydreams, creating its own interest. Speech Coach Max Dixon, Westside Toastmasters.

So, let’s get started. I have included various transition types for you to consider. These do little good if you read them and do not use them. This list works best if you read it now and then revisit it every time you write a speech.

Let’s begin with…
First, I’d like to share with you…
Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
Our first stop is…
I will first cover…
My first point covers…
To get started, let’s look at…

The Order of Things

After that…
Next…
Second thing…
Our next stop is…
Let me tell you about your next step.

Steve Jobs Commencement to Stanford University

Steve Jobs clearly previews his main points, “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.” He flows smoothly between points with clear transitions.

“The first story is about connecting the dots.”
“My second story is about love and loss.”
“My third story is about death.”

Watch Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Address

Between Similar Points

In the same way…
In addition…
Likewise…
Similarly…

Between Disagreeing Points

Conversely…
Despite this…
The flip side of the issue…
However…
On the contrary…
On the other hand…
On the other side …
Yet, we cannot ignore …
The opposing argument …
If we examine the opposite side, we see …

Introduce an example

This is best illustrated by an example…
For instance…
Take the case of…
For example…
To understand this…
Let me illustrate this by…

Introduce Research

To make the point…
As illustrated by…
Case in point…
To solidify this point…
As researched by…

Cause and effect

Therefore…
Thus…
Consequently…
As a result…
This is significant because…
Hence…
Resulting in…
For that reason …
The effect is…

Elaboration

Also…
Besides…
What’s more…
In addition/additionally…
Moreover…
Furthermore…

Transition to a Demonstration

Let me show you how this works…
Let me demonstrate this…
Now that we’ve covered the theory, let’s see it in action …
Next, I’d like to let you see this for yourselves…

Introducing Your Visual

As you can see from this chart…
I’d like you to notice that…
The table indicates…

Questions as Transitions

Now that you know the problem, what do you think will solve it?
What do you think will solve this crisis?

Connective: A word or phrase that connects the ideas of a speech and indicates the relationship between them.

Transitions: A word or phrase that indicates when a speaker had finished one thought and it moving on to another.

Internal preview: A statement in the body of the speech that tells the audience what the speaker is going to discuss next.

Internal summary: A statement in the body of the speech that summarizes the speaker’s preceding point or points.

Signpost: A very brief statement that indicates where a speaker is in the speech or that focuses attention on key ideas.

From the Art of Public Speaking by Stephen Lucas

THOUGHTS FROM A FORMER STUDENT

One thing I learned in class that made me a better speechwriter was to pay attention to the transitions. In our outlines, there was space for our main points, but also our transitions between them. At the beginning of the semester, I thought this was a waste of time planning out my transition for a speech and that I would just wing it the day of, but I soon realized how important they were. Transitions are like the finishing touches that make everything fall together in a speech.

You may have some interesting points or facts to give to your audience, but without transitions, you have nothing to connect your points and create a narrative. An audience is much more interested in a talk if there is a continuing idea or theme, and transitions help create this. I found this out by watching the other students in my class as they learned to use transitions as well. I loved the speeches that were clearly organized and had a common idea with transitions.

Zoe Lawless, Honors Public Speaking, University of Arkansas

Movement as Transition

Many people don’t think about movement as a type of transition, but it can be a very powerful way to help your audience transition between ideas.

Setting out a visual or putting it away signals a change in ideas.
Some speakers will imagine a baseball diamond laid out on the floor and move to each base throughout the speech. Their opening comment is at home plate. Point one is delivered on first, point two on second, and point three on third. They stand back on their home plate to deliver the final closing statements.
One speaker that I met said he always has a special place that is his big idea place. He may move around during his speech but when he wants the audience to know it is an important point, he stands in the big idea place.

Silence as a Transition

John Chappelear, speech consultant, suggests that the use of silence can be powerful. It is powerful, but it is not easy. Being able to stand silently in front of a large audience for 15-45 seconds requires practice. Sometimes you can use silence as a way to let the audience catch up and think deeply about what you just said.

Transitioning Between Slides

As the next slide shows…
As you can see…
Next, I will show you…

Transitioning to Visuals

I’d like to direct your attention to…
This diagram compares…
Now, I’d like to illustrate this with…

Signaling the End is Near

In conclusion…
To sum it up…
Lastly…
In a nutshell…
To recap…
I’d like to leave you with…
Finally, I’d like to say…
The takeaway from all of this is…
To summarise…

Moving to the Next Speaker

I told you about the most credible theories about climate change, now John will share with you some examples of what you can do.
I’m going to turn it over to Malachi, who will take you through the next few points.
Next, Angie will come up and talk about…
To help us understand this topic better, we have Beatrice, who will talk us through…
Look to the next speaker and motion towards them as they walk to the podium, Twila will tell you more…

Problems with Transitions

These are some of the most common problems with transitions:

Not planning out transitions and just “winging it.”
Using fancy phrases inconsistent with the rest of the speech.
Saying, “I have five points” and then having only four or miscounting the points.
Overusing the same transitional phrase.
Long pauses before transitions as the speaker tries to figure out what to say next.

Tricks on Smoothly Presenting Transitions

Now you have a list of ideas to use when you write your next speech, let’s talk about how to use transitions effectively. Speakers typically struggle as they end one point and seek to move to the next idea. This usually happens because of poor planning, not enough practice, and poor note management. Let’s talk about these one at a time. First, poor planning happens because a speaker does not put enough time and effort into writing the speech. Second, not enough practice happened because even when a speech is practiced, it is practiced with regards to getting through the main points and not about moving smoothly between points. Finally, poor note management. Let me give you some tricks.

Make your notes large-larger than you think you need.
Give ample space between main ideas so you can look down and see the gap and know another point is coming.
On your notecards, make each main idea a different color.
I usually have a “T” in a circle to remind me that this is a transition statement.
Practice your speech twice by just reading the transition statements and the next sentence.
The night before your speech, visualize how you will manage the transitions.

Key Takeaways

Remember This!

Using transitions will help your speech flow smoothly.
Practice using your transitions.
Plan transitions for impact.

Please share your feedback, suggestions, corrections, and ideas.

I want to hear from you.

Do you have an activity to include? Did you notice a typo that I should correct? Are you planning to use this as a resource and do you want me to know about it? Do you want to tell me something that really helped you?

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Allgood, E., & Ebersole, T. (Eds.). (2017). C OMM 2100 public speaking: A workbook for student success . Fountainhead Press.

Beqiri, G. (2018). Speech transitions: Words and phrases to connect your ideas. https://virtualspeech.com/blog/speech-transitions-words-phrases

Dugan, A. (2013, August 26). Speech transitions: Magical words and phrases. http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-transitions/

Effective speech transitions, how to make your speech flow. https://franticallyspeaking.com/effective-speech-transitions-how-to-make-your-speech-flow/

Jobs, S. (2005). Steve Jobs commencement address to Stanford University. [Video]. YouTube. https://news.stanford.edu/2005/06/14/jobs-061505/ Standard YouTube License.

Lawless, Z. (2020). Honors Public Speaking, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Used with permission.

Lucas, S.E. (2009). The art of public speaking. McGraw Hill.

Pace, P. (n.d). Bridge the gap–Speech transitions. https://westsidetoastmasters.com/article_reference/bridge_the_gap-speech_transitions.html#:~:text=%22I%20think%20body%20movement%20is,carries%20the%20audience%20with%20him.

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Speech Transitions: How to Word Them Effectively (17 Examples)

Do you think your audience notices the transition words you use during the speech? Probably not.

However, when presenting to an audience, you need your words and ideas to flow smoothly to ensure successful delivery. This retains the central idea and helps you hold the audience's attention.

Transition words enable such flow, allowing you to move effortlessly from one idea to the next.

Therefore, it is essential to learn various transition words for speeches and the right way to use them.

You must also understand the connection between body language and speech transitions and what pitfalls to avoid when making a presentation.

What Are Speech Transitions?

Speech transitions are tools to move from one part of a speech to the next. These words, phrases, or complete sentences help a presenter connect different ideas to make the speech coherent and exciting.

Instead of listing those ideas, a presentation needs to flow.

Introducing the next concept and showing that connection helps to deliver your message effectively. The alternative would be to send your audience a list of your ideas and save them a dull and incoherent speech.

Forming connections in a speech is essential since you need your words to link your ideas to form a message.

Therefore, you must show consequences, comparisons, examples, sequences, and conclusions. They allow you to guide the audience to see your argument by making your speech smooth and your expressions clear.

Think of speech transitions as the arrows on signposts , showing hikers which directions to follow to arrive at a predetermined destination.

With these arrows showing the way, your audience can arrive at your speech's core and main message.

What Are the Types of Transitions in Speeches?

Let us look at different types of speech transition words and phrases:

1. Transition Between Similar Ideas

As the name suggests, this transition connects two similar ideas by showing where one ends and the next begins.

This type of speech transition examples includes: likewise, similarly, in a similar way , etc.

2. Transition to Elaborate Upon an Idea

These help you emphasize an idea by providing more information about it. Examples include: in addition, furthermore, moreover, also, in other words , etc.

3. Transition Between Contrasting Ideas

This shows where one idea ends, and an opposing one begins.

Contrasting transition words and phrases set up the next point to support the final idea by showing consequence or urgency.

Examples include: however, on the other hand, conversely, on the contrary, on the other side, in contrast , etc.

4. Transition to a List or Numbered Points

These speech transitions help you deliver a list of items that would otherwise be numbered on paper. A typical example is numbering each point as you go down the list.

For example: first, second, third, firstly, secondly, thirdly , etc.

5. Transition to Emphasize a Cause-Effect Relationship

This transition shows how one idea depends on the next or how its existence determines the fate of the next.

Examples include: therefore, consequently, as a result, for that reason , etc.

6. Transition to Show a Supporting Example

This simple transition is powerful as it introduces an example to support and emphasize a point.

Examples include: for example, for instance, to illustrate this, as an example , etc.

7. Transition to a Supporting Demonstration

Your presentation may include a demonstration to highlight your points further. Therefore, you need to help the audience smoothly transition from listening to you to paying attention to the demonstration.

You could tell the audience, " Now that we've discussed the theory, let's see it in action. "

8. Transition Between the Main Speech Parts

You need to transition from the introduction to the main body to the conclusion . Typically, the introduction includes a brief breakdown of what your speech entails. That is, you'll let the audience know what to expect.

As you move to the main body, you can use speech transitions such as, " Let's begin, " " Let's get started, " etc.

When you reach your conclusion, you can wind down with " In summary, " " In conclusion ," "t o round off, " etc.

9. Transition to Raise an Earlier Point

Your speech may not flow from the beginning to the end in one straight line, and sometimes you may need to recap an earlier point for your address to resume its smooth flow or just to re-emphasize a point you need for your next part.

Examples include " let's return ," " let's revisit, " and " go back to …, etc.

Advanced Speech Transitions

The previous section covered most speech transitions. This section will focus on speech transition examples that apply when standing before an audience.

While you'll need the transitions mentioned above, how you execute them before an audience determines how engaging your speech will be.

Note that giving a speech allows you to elaborate more on transition words and phrases, unlike written communication.

Therefore, you're free to use phrases like " as an example, " " let us look at several examples, " etc.

In written communication, you need to use as few words as possible, such as " for example, " "f or instance, " etc.

Moreover, the use of longer transitions might smoothen your speech. Therefore, use longer phrase examples in your speech, but avoid going overboard with the word count.

1. Transition to Another Speaker

In a group presentation, preparing the audience for a speaker change is vital. Your flow will likely differ, so you need to allow the audience to switch gears.

Examples include, " my colleague will talk about our next topic, " " I now hand over the microphone to… ", etc.

2. Commanding Speech Transitions

Asking your audience to do something specific is powerful and helps you guide their information processing.

Examples include, " Listen to this, " " Guess what? ", " Pay attention to this, " etc. These initially seem subtle and are agreeable, making them practical guiding tools.

3. Empathy Speech Transitions

These appear to give the audience's perspective on your speech while subtly guiding their thought process where you wish.

Examples include, " Now, I know what you're thinking, " " You're probably asking yourself… ", etc.

While you don't necessarily know what the audience thinks, you can read their reaction to your point. It shows you're connected to them, and they, in turn, will feel the same way.

You can rely on logic and intuition to correctly guess what they are thinking based on your speech up to that point. If done correctly, this will further pique their interest and increase their attention.

4. Reveal a Significant Discovery

This speech transition works best when you want to state a significant point in the speech. It embodies the spirit of narration, where you want to reveal the big secret.

Examples include, " The results from the experiment were staggering, " " One witness shared the most chilling detail, " etc.

5. Highlight A Catch

This speech transition is similar to "However" in written communication.

Examples include, " But, there's a catch, " " That would have been a perfect conclusion, except… ", " Unfortunately, the prototype has one glaring flaw, " etc.

This transition jolts the audience's attention and sets them up for the next part.

6. How-To Speech Transition

This works best when you're ready to offer solutions in your presentation. The transition primes your audience to receive the solutions; you may even see some taking notes.

You could tell them, " Let me now teach you how to… ", " Here is how you too can attain similar success, " etc.

7. Curiosity-Inducing Speech Transitions

Sprinkling curiosity-inducing questions at intervals in your speech sustain the audience's attention. It also refocuses them on your main points and subtly reviews previous ones.

For example, you could ask them, " What's really going on here? ", " What's the aggressor's main motivation?" etc.

8. Stay With Me

When you get to complex sections of a technical presentation, you need to ensure your audience understands.

You can simplify the concepts as much as possible, but sometimes you must check in with them and encourage them. This speech transition reassures audience members and highlights where they need to pay the most attention.

Examples include " Stay with me, " " Stick with me, " etc.

You could also point to a presentation slide, use bold text for specific parts of the displayed text, etc.

Speech Transitions and Body Language

Your audience will shift attention between your presentation aids and your body. Presentation aids add to the quality of your speech, but your body language is more significant.

Therefore, you can capitalize on that attention through gestures to emphasize your points. For example, a finger wag could underline a critical issue.

Additionally, pointing to a specific figure on a presentation slide could focus attention and drive your point home.

Body language is powerful, and this stresses the need to prepare well for your speech , noting all crucial turns. At the very least, avoid standing still while talking on stage.

Hand and Arm Movements

Speech transitions pair well with hand and arm movements for emphasis. However, you need to avoid making it seem confrontational.

For example, too much finger wagging may seem like you're pointing at someone in the audience. It also seems aggressive. Instead, use open palms as this is more inviting and approachable.

In addition, use hand and arm movements sparingly, or reserve them for the main points.

You could even count your fingers when listing the main points in your summary to draw the audience's eyes to yourself and allow them to focus better on your points.

Walking on Stage

All Apple Event presentations, whether in person or streamed, are perfect examples of the power of walking on stage.

Every presenter ensures they move about on stage, further emphasizing their point. They sustain the audience's attention and combine hand gestures when making the main points.

These presenters learned from the best; Apple's founding father, Steve Jobs . While his technology continues to dominate today, his speeches contributed significantly to those devices' acceptance and profits.

He would walk forward when making a positive remark and backward when stating a contradictory argument. He would walk left or right when explaining how something about the device works.

The movements were well timed , ending near his presentation slide when he needed to refer to something on the screen.

While seemingly random at first, your subconscious would pick the rhythm of his movements. You were soon engrossed in the speech, grasping every detail he intended.

Suddenly stopping in the middle of the stage and saying, " Pay attention to this, " " Guess what the research revealed, " " What we saw was shocking, " etc., was a powerful way he used to highlight your next point.

Other Body Language Factors

Other body language tools, such as facial expressions or mood changes, are equally powerful alongside speech transitions.

For example, you can smile before sharing some good news or appear serious when sharing some grave news.

You could even do something unexpected, like removing your reading glasses and saying, "Let me be frank with you guys."

Vary your tone as the speech unfolds to capture and guide your audience's attention. If done right, you could even affect their emotions and emotional reactions to your main points.

Transition Pitfalls You Need to Avoid

Poorly executed speech transitions will alter the meaning of your message and put off your audience. Here are the main ones:

Miscount Transition: This entails counting your main points but failing to follow a specific order and style.

For example, first, second, third, four, five, next, etc. Reserve counting for the summary section, where you can line up the points nicely. Additionally, avoid counting when there are subsections to your main points.

Incompatible Transition: An example is when you wish to contradict the previous point but end up stating some examples. The relationship between the first part of your sentence and the rest of it will make no sense to your audience.

Missing Transition: A poor and common way to fail at using transitions is not to use them. Switching from one point to the next with nothing to connect them only frustrates your audience.

Tangential Transition: These transitions excite the audience or help you fit in an incidental yet essential point.

However, they break from your flow and introduce new information while you're still transmitting the last part.

Reserve those for informal gatherings among friends where the more tangents your speech takes, the more interesting it is.

Speech transitions are vital components of any public speaking endeavor. They bring flow and logic to your speech and guide the audience's attention.

When used well, you'll make the audience arrive at specific conclusions and take particular actions afterward.

This article shares some of the best speech transitions to make your speeches memorable and meaningful.

Related: How to write a Speech Outline (with Examples)

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Change will not be effected, say some others, unless individual actions raise the necessary awareness.

While a reader can see the connection between the sentences above, it’s not immediately clear that the second sentence is providing a counterargument to the first. In the example below, key “old information” is repeated in the second sentence to help readers quickly see the connection. This makes the sequence of ideas easier to follow.

Sentence pair #2: Effective Transition

You can use this same technique to create clear transitions between paragraphs. Here’s an example:

Some experts argue that focusing on individual actions to combat climate change takes the focus away from the collective action required to keep carbon levels from rising. Other experts argue that individual actions are key to raising the awareness necessary to effect change. According to Annie Lowery, individual actions are important to making social change because when individuals take action, they can change values, which can lead to more people becoming invested in fighting climate change. She writes, “Researchers believe that these kinds of household-led trends can help avert climate catastrophe, even if government and corporate actions are far more important” (Lowery).

So, what’s an individual household supposed to do?

The repetition of the word “household” in the new paragraph helps readers see the connection between what has come before (a discussion of whether household actions matter) and what is about to come (a proposal for what types of actions households can take to combat climate change).

Sometimes, transitional words can help readers see how ideas are connected. But it’s not enough to just include a “therefore,” “moreover,” “also,” or “in addition.” You should choose these words carefully to show your readers what kind of connection you are making between your ideas.

To decide which transitional word to use, start by identifying the relationship between your ideas. For example, you might be

making a comparison or showing a contrast Transitional words that compare and contrast include also, in the same way, similarly, in contrast, yet, on the one hand, on the other hand. But before you signal comparison, ask these questions: Do your readers need another example of the same thing? Is there a new nuance in this next point that distinguishes it from the previous example? For those relationships between ideas, you might try this type of transition: While x may appear the same, it actually raises a new question in a slightly different way.
expressing agreement or disagreement When you are making an argument, you need to signal to readers where you stand in relation to other scholars and critics. You may agree with another person’s claim, you may want to concede some part of the argument even if you don’t agree with everything, or you may disagree. Transitional words that signal agreement, concession, and disagreement include however, nevertheless, actually, still, despite, admittedly, still, on the contrary, nonetheless .
showing cause and effect Transitional phrases that show cause and effect include therefore, hence, consequently, thus, so. Before you choose one of these words, make sure that what you are about to illustrate is really a causal link. Novice writers tend to add therefore and hence when they aren’t sure how to transition; you should reserve these words for when they accurately signal the progression of your ideas.
explaining or elaborating Transitions can signal to readers that you are going to expand on a point that you have just made or explain something further. Transitional words that signal explanation or elaboration include in other words, for example, for instance, in particular, that is, to illustrate, moreover .
drawing conclusions You can use transitions to signal to readers that you are moving from the body of your argument to your conclusions. Before you use transitional words to signal conclusions, consider whether you can write a stronger conclusion by creating a transition that shows the relationship between your ideas rather than by flagging the paragraph simply as a conclusion. Transitional words that signal a conclusion include in conclusion , as a result, ultimately, overall— but strong conclusions do not necessarily have to include those phrases.

If you’re not sure which transitional words to use—or whether to use one at all—see if you can explain the connection between your paragraphs or sentence either out loud or in the margins of your draft.

For example, if you write a paragraph in which you summarize physician Atul Gawande’s argument about the value of incremental care, and then you move on to a paragraph that challenges those ideas, you might write down something like this next to the first paragraph: “In this paragraph I summarize Gawande’s main claim.” Then, next to the second paragraph, you might write, “In this paragraph I present a challenge to Gawande’s main claim.” Now that you have identified the relationship between those two paragraphs, you can choose the most effective transition between them. Since the second paragraph in this example challenges the ideas in the first, you might begin with something like “but,” or “however,” to signal that shift for your readers.

picture_as_pdf Transitions

Effective Speech Transitions: How to Make Your Speech Flow

Hrideep barot.

Public Speaking , Speech Writing

A speaker at an event making his speech flow with the help of effective transitions

You’re working on your speech and have just finished writing the first draft. However, when you say your speech out loud, you notice that something’s not right.

There is some awkwardness between the points. The speech just isn’t flowing in a smooth manner.

A common reason for this is speech transition. Using transitions in your speech allows you to move from one part of your speech to the next in a smooth manner, making your speech flow appropriately as well make it easier for the audience to follow your speech.

A speech without transitions can seem disorganized and confusing to an audience.

Types of Transitions

Here are the different types of transitions you can use in your speech to ensure it flows smoothly:

Counterpoints

These transitions are used when you are talking about ideas that contradict themselves.

Example : Reading makes you grow in every way. But on the other hand , if you read and don’t act upon what you have learned, it’s just a waste of time.

Transitions:

On the other hand…
Contradictory to my previous statement…
But if we look at the other side…
Conversely…
But what about…
Contrast that with
At the same time…

They help in making a persuasive speech with 2 different arguments flow smoothly.

Related article: The Secret of Writing a Persuasive Speech (On Any Topic) | Ethos, Logos, Pathos is Not Enough

Important ideas

Your speech will have some points, messages or ideas that you want to emphasize upon. Instead of just stating them out, having a transition for them can make them stand out and show the audience that what you are about to say is important.

Example: I still remember when I was 11 years old, my father bent down and whispered to me, (…pause…) “Wait, son. Patience will get you what you deserve.”

Pause : Just pause for a few seconds before/after you say the important statement to add more impact
Slow down : Slower your pace to emphasize on the point you want the audience to take notice of
Question : Pose a question to the audience before stating your main idea
Stage movement : Move to another area of the stage from where you were standing before stating your main idea

When you are talking about a process of something or giving steps on how to achieve something, it’s best to use numerical transitions for them to make it easier for the audience to understand how many steps are included in the process you are stating.

Example: Let’s talk about how can write your first speech: First , have a key idea in mind. Second , write down all the things associated with that idea. Third …

First/firstly/The first one is…
Second/Secondly/The second one is…
Third/Thirdly/The third one is…
Last/Lastly/Finally/The fourth one is…

When you’re talking about an example to support your previous statement, using a transition can help smoothen out your talk.

Example: Small lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on the way you approach your day. For example , if you start waking up an hour earlier than you’re used to, you can use that time to plan your entire day.

For example…
You know how…
Take the case of…
To understand this…
What’s an example of this?…

A change in tone can also help with transitions during an example.

Related article: All You Need to Know about Voice Modulation & Tonality for Public Speaking

Handing the stage to another speaker

If you are presenting something or speaking along with multiple people, don’t finish your part, abruptly stop and let the other person start talking. Use a transition to let the person who you are handing the stage to as well as the audience know that you are going to be passing the mic to someone else.

I’ll now pass on the stage to John who will take you through the next points…
To help us understand this topic better, we have Lee, who will talk us through…
To talk about this, we have Raj…

The next speaker can complete the transition with a simple acknowledgment such as “Thank you”.

Visual aids

speech transitions during ppt presentations

If you’re using a power point presentation or demonstrating your talk with the help of visual aids, use transitions whenever you’re switching from one slide to another or when you are talking about a point yourself and turn to the slide for reference.

Example: The next slide shows us how our sales have increased this month. As you can see here , the sales are spiking mainly during the weekends.

As you can see here…
This graph indicates…
Moving on to the next slide…

Call to action

Most (if not every) speech ends with a Call to Action (CTA) that asks the user to commit to an action which relates to the main idea of the speech. Use transitions for your CTA for better clarity and more emphasis.

Example: I urge you to try this the tonight before going to bed.

So, how do you apply this in your life?…
Try this when you go home today…
How can you help you in this?…
I urge you to…

Previously stated point

Use transitions when speaking about a point you have already spoken about or stated in the previous part of your speech.

Example: Remember when we spoke about trolls? Let’s dive deep into that now.

Remember we spoke about ____?…
Let’s revisit…
We spoke about ___ earlier. Let’s elaborate on that…
Let’s go back to…

Transitions That Don’t Need a Transition

While transitions are important in smoothening out your speech, there are some instances where you don’t really need a transitioning word or phrase like the examples provided above. These instances are:

Similar ideas

When you are talking about similar ideas, instead of saying things like “Similarly”, “Likewise”, etc. you can just say the points without a transition. I’ve seen it work better when I say the ideas out in succession just as they are, without adding transitions.

Moving from the introduction of the speech to the body

In a speech, if you have to state something out like “Let’s begin talking about…” or “Now let’s get started…”, etc. it makes the speech sound amateurish.

A much more effective transition is when your content speaks for itself.

Instead of stating a transitional statement, writing and structuring your speech in a manner that makes a clear distinction between your introduction and your body is much more effective and calls for a smoother transition and a more effective speech.

Moving from the body of the speech to the conclusion

Similar to the previous point, there’s no need for a transitional statement from your body to your conclusion. If your speech is written and structured properly, it won’t require a transition.

The audience will be able to tell when you are talking about your body and when you are concluding your speech.

You can also check out this resource for understanding the importance of sentence transitions. I found it particularly helpful especially for transitioning between paragraphs.

Related article: 5 Ways to End Your Speech With Maximum Impact!

Using Voice and Body Language to Transition

Sometimes, the best way to transition from one point to another is by using your voice or body . Changing the tone of your voice can clearly indicate a transition. Similarly, using the stage as a means to talk about different parts of your speech can be a great way to subconsciously communicate transitions to your audience.

For example, you start off with the intro at the center of the stage, come to the right for the first half your body, move to the left for the second half and conclude your speech back in the center.

Related article: 5 Body Language Tips to Command the Stage

Transition Mistakes

Incorrect transitions.

Using incorrect transitions in your speech can horribly confuse an audience. For instance, if you say the word “however” but continue with an idea which is similar in nature, it will make the audience wonder whether or not they are following your speech correctly.

Inconsistent transitions

This usually happens while explaining processes. For instance, if you start with “first, second…” and then say the word “point number 3”, it causes inconsistency in your speech. This isn’t necessarily a big deal as long as you are putting across your point in a manner that the audience is able to easily understand.

Overusing the same transition

Monotony is the enemy. Using the same transition in your speech over and over again can cause your speech to sound very repetitive even if your actual messaging is different throughout. Use transitions that sound different every now and then to add more variety to your speech.

Using speech transitions help you connect your speech and make it more consumable to an audience. But be aware of not overusing them or using them where they are not required.

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Speech Transitions: Magical Words and Phrases

When listening to a speech, have you ever:

wondered “how does this relate to that ?”
felt the speaker jumped randomly from one point to the next?
gotten totally lost?

If you’ve experienced any of these, there’s a very good chance that the speaker failed to use appropriate speech transitions.

In this article, we define speech transitions and learn why they are so critical. In addition, we provide dozens of speech transition examples that you can incorporate into your speech.

What are speech transitions?

Speech transitions are magical words and phrases that help your argument flow smoothly . They often consist of a single transition word or a short transition phrase, but occasionally form an entire sentence. In a written speech, speech transitions are generally found at the start of paragraphs.

Speech transitions smooth over the boundary between two ideas, and reveal the relationship between the words just spoken and those about to be spoken. In this way, speech transitions help your audience understand your message.

Types of Speech Transitions

There are many types of speech transitions. Each type highlights a different verbal relationship. For example, one type of transition highlights the contrast between two different ideas.

Each of these types is itemized below. For each type, we list a few of the many possible words and phrases. Can you think of others?

1. Transition between Similar Ideas or Points

Likewise …
Similarly …
This is just like …
In a similar way …
We see the same thing if we consider …

“ Speech transitions smooth over the boundary between two ideas, and reveal the relationship between the words just spoken and those about to be spoken. ”

2. Transition between Contrasting Ideas or Points

However …
Conversely …
On the contrary …
On the other side …
On the other hand …
If we flip that around …
Yet, we cannot ignore …
The opposing argument …
If we examine the opposite side, we see …

3. Transition to elaborate upon an idea

Also …
Moreover …
In addition …
Furthermore …
In other words …
Not only that, but …

4. Transition to Numbered Ideas or Points (or Process Steps)

First … (The first step is …)
Second … (The second step is …)
Third … (The third step is …)
Last … (The last step is …)

5. Transition to show Cause-Effect Relationship

Therefore …
As a result …
Consequently …
For that reason …
This is important because …

6. Transition to a Supporting Example

For instance …
For example …
As an example …
To illustrate this …
What’s an example of this? …
But does this happen in real life? Yes …

7. Transition to a Supporting Demonstration

Now that we’ve covered the theory, let’s see it in action …
To reinforce what we’ve learned, let’s see a demonstration …
I’ve prepared a demonstration to show how this works.
Let’s see a demonstration which applies what we’ve learned.

“ When executed well, speech transitions help make a speech understandable. When executed poorly, speech transitions can obscure meaning and frustrate audiences. ”

8. Transition to a Supporting Quotation

X said: …
In 1968, X said: …
This idea was expressed clearly by X who said …

9. Transition from Introduction into Speech Body

Let’s begin …
To get started, let’s examine …
Let’s get started talking about …
Now that we’ve given an overview, let’s start with …

10. Transition from Speech Body into Conclusion

For a short speech, you might conclude with a single statement:

In short …
In summary …
In conclusion …

In a longer presentation, your conclusion might include a review of a the key points:

Let’s summarize the key lessons …
Let’s recap what we’ve covered today …

11. Transition to Another Speaker

In a team presentation, it is necessary to transfer control between speakers.

The abrupt way to do this is to simply have one person stop talking, and then have the other person start talking. It is much smoother, however, to pass the verbal baton to the next speaker (X):

To talk about our next topic, we have X …
I’ll pass the microphone to X who will describe …
To guide us through a demonstration of this, we have X …

12. Transition Back to an Earlier Point

There are many occasions when you need to jump back to an earlier idea to add additional information. e.g. after a break, following an exercise, or returning from an unplanned interruption

Let’s return …
Let’s revisit …
Let’s go back to …
We introduced X earlier; let’s explore that further now.

Avoid Faulty Transitions

When executed well, speech transitions help make a speech understandable.

When executed poorly, speech transitions can obscure meaning and frustrate audiences.

Beware these four types of faulty transitions:

Miscount Transition This faulty transition occurs when a speaker begins counting main points, but does not do so consistently. (e.g. First, Second, Next, Next, Third, Third, …) Faulty counting can also occur when a speaker tries to number both the main points and the sub-points and gets mixed up.
Incompatible Transition This faulty transition occurs when a speaker uses a transition word or phrase which does not match the relationship. (e.g. they start with the word “however”, but they follow it with an example) Imagine the confusion you would cause if you signalled to the left, but then turned your car right. Incompatible transitions cause the same problem; your audience is expecting one thing, but you head off confusingly in a different direction.
Tangential Transition Transitional phrases like “That reminds me…”, “Ironically…”, or “As an aside…” are dangerous because they often lead to an off-topic diversion which blurs the focus of the speech and wastes time for you and your audience. Just. Don’t. Do. It.
Missing Transition This faulty transition is the most common of all. It occurs when a speaker abruptly changes from one point to another without using any transition words or phrases. The audience is left confused and lost because points get mashed together and critical relationships are obscured.

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13 comments.

Wonderful summary of transitions! Thank you so much for the article.

Hi Andrew, how useful! I always see transitions like signposts point the audience in the direction that I want to go next, but some of these will be really useful at other times during a speech, thanks these will be a great resource. Recently, when speaking on a sensitive subject where I had pointed out a number of problems which the audience identified with i transitioned to the solution section by saying, “isn’t it good to know we are not the first people to have suffered with these issues and questions,” people were then expecting a move towards a solution phase and it worked well. I will keep these as a reference for the future, thanks!

Indeed. Transitional words and phrases are minor signposts. I have a broader definition of signposts, however, which I plan to expand upon in a future article.

Excellent post, Andrew. I’ve definitely witnessed too many presentation with disjointed ideas and seemingly no connection to the subject matter, leaving me with that “What’s he talking about?” feeling.

One additional thought about (#11) “Transitioning to Another Speaker” – which I often do in my workshops. Rather than announcing that you’re about to pass the mic to Speaker X, you can actually set them up for success using one of the other transition types. For instance: (#7)- “We’ve now discussed a method for delivering effective feedback, let’s see it in action”… pass the mic. (#9)- “We know we want our employees to be motivated, let’s explore some practical ways we can inspire our team to achieve greater levels of success”… pass the mic. In each example, we’re handing the ball off (or throwing an Alley-oop pass) to Speaker X for a smoother (and less abrupt transition). It can be incredibly effective. Good stuff!

Yes, the other transition examples can absolutely be used to transition to another speaker.

It is so important to be consistent with the way one enumerates their points. For example, we don’t say first, then, finally but first, second, and third. That way the audience is not confused about when the speaker is near to completing his/her well organized speech. Excellent article!

Great guide Mr Dlugan. This is going to be very helpful for my comibg presentations this semester. Thank you.

Excelent !!!

Dear Andrew,

Thank you for this very useful succinct guide.

Regarding tangential transitions, digressional matter –even if only contextually and even if vaguely related– can be inserted in the form of a diverticulum in the flow of text or speech, with the purposely intention of weaseling in something tangentially related, but of paramount importance to the writer or speaker.

A “By the way,…” introduction to the diverticulum does smooth fairly well any abruptness in the transition. as it makes it illusively look or sound as appropriately parenthetical matter.

And, when done with the digression, flow can be reinstated with a frank and explicit “Back on track,…” return-call transition.

I have obtained miracles with the “By the way,…” and “Back on track,…” pair, even if talking about “oranges” and introducing an “apples” diverticulum…when what I actually had for sale was “apples “, not “oranges “. I know, it is a brazen “blow below the belt”, but in some particular instances, it is a pressing necessity which has to be, ineludibly, addressed.

This helped me a lot with all of my transitions through my whole speech

Thank you for this it really helped me.

Oh my goodness, Thank you so much! I really needed this for my speech!

Thanks so much for the most amazing experience i had missed it for a long time i am now able to make an exciting presentation. Thanks

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Oratory Club

Public Speaking Helpline

Speech Transitions: Words And Phrases to Connect Your Ideas

Speech transitions are important as they connect ideas and maintain a smooth flow. These transitions help guide the audience through the speech effectively.

Effective communication is crucial in delivering a compelling speech. To engage and captivate an audience, it is essential to connect ideas seamlessly. Speech transitions serve as connectors between different thoughts and ensure a logical progression of ideas. By employing suitable words and phrases, a speaker can enhance the flow of their speech and maintain the audience’s attention.

We will explore various words and phrases that can be used to connect ideas in a speech. These transitions play a vital role in conveying the message effectively and leaving a lasting impact on the listeners.

Credit: www.spanish.academy

Table of Contents

Why Are Speech Transitions Important In Public Speaking?

Speech transitions play a crucial role in public speaking by connecting ideas seamlessly. These words and phrases help maintain the flow of the speech and captivate the audience, ensuring a clear and coherent delivery.

Speech transitions play a significant role in public speaking. They serve as vital connectors that link together various ideas and concepts in a seamless manner. By using appropriate words and phrases to transition between different points, speakers can maintain the flow and coherence of their speech.

Here’s why speech transitions are important:

Benefits Of Using Speech Transitions:

Enhance clarity: Transitions help speakers to clearly communicate their ideas and thoughts to the audience. By using transition words and phrases, they can guide the listeners through the different sections of their speech, making it easier to follow.
Improve understanding: Effective transitions ensure that the audience can easily grasp the connections between ideas and concepts. This helps to prevent any confusion or misinterpretation of the speaker’s message.
Increase engagement: Speech transitions prevent a monotonous or disjointed delivery, making the speech more engaging for the audience. By smoothly moving from one idea to another, the speaker captures the listeners’ attention and keeps them actively involved throughout the presentation.
Highlight key points: Transitions can be used strategically to emphasize important information or key points. By signaling the significance of certain ideas, speakers can ensure that these points are understood and remembered by the audience.

Impact On Audience Engagement:

Retention of information: With the help of effective speech transitions, speakers can enhance the audience’s ability to retain and recall the information presented. Logical connections created through transitions make it easier for listeners to process and remember the content.
Focused attention: Well-placed transitions help to maintain the audience’s focus and prevent their minds from wandering. By smoothly transitioning between ideas, speakers keep the listeners engaged and attentive.
Active participation: Speech transitions encourage the audience to actively participate in the speech. Clear connections between ideas enable listeners to anticipate the direction of the speech, allowing them to make connections and draw conclusions alongside the speaker.
Emotionally connect: Transitions can also have an emotional impact on the audience. By using appropriate words and phrases, speakers can evoke specific feelings, making the speech more memorable and impactful.

Creating a smooth and coherent flow:

Logical progression: Transitions facilitate a logical progression of ideas, enabling the speaker to present their thoughts in a structured manner. This ensures that the audience can easily follow the speaker’s intended flow of information.
Seamless connection: Speech transitions act as bridges between different ideas or sections, creating a seamless connection between them. This helps to establish a sense of continuity in the speech, preventing any abrupt shifts in topic or subject matter.
Professional delivery: The use of speech transitions demonstrates a speaker’s professionalism and command over their subject. It showcases their ability to present complex ideas in a clear and organized manner.

By recognizing the importance of speech transitions and incorporating them into public speaking, speakers can enhance the effectiveness of their presentations, captivate their audience, and ensure that their message is delivered with impact.

Types Of Speech Transitions

Discover various types of speech transitions that effectively connect ideas and thoughts in your speech. These words and phrases seamlessly guide the flow of your presentation, keeping your audience engaged and interested. Improve your public speaking skills with these powerful speech transition techniques.

Transition words and phrases play a crucial role in connecting your ideas and making your speech or presentation flow smoothly. By using these linguistic tools, you can create a cohesive and engaging narrative that keeps your listeners hooked. In this section, we will explore the different types of speech transitions, including transition words and phrases, verbal transitions, and nonverbal transitions.

Transition Words And Phrases:

First and foremost, transition words and phrases serve as the glue that holds your speech together. They facilitate the logical progression of your ideas and help your audience follow along effortlessly.
Additionally, transition words and phrases add clarity and coherence to your speech, ensuring that your message is easily understood.
Moreover, they signal shifts in topic, introduce examples, emphasize crucial points, and establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Furthermore, transition words and phrases enable you to create smooth transitions between different sections of your speech, which is essential for maintaining audience engagement.

Verbal Transitions:

Verbal transitions involve the use of spoken words or phrases to guide your audience from one idea to another seamlessly.
For instance, you can use phrases like “now, let’s move on to…”, “in relation to…”, or “on the other hand…” to smoothly transition between topics.
Likewise, starting a sentence with phrases such as “in the same vein…”, “to illustrate my point…”, or “another key aspect is…” can effectively connect your ideas and make your speech more coherent.
Furthermore, verbally signaling your intention to transition, using phrases like “now, let’s shift gears and discuss…”, “next up, we’ll explore…”, or “in light of this information…” can help your audience anticipate and comprehend your transitions better.

Nonverbal Transitions:

Nonverbal transitions involve actions, gestures, or visuals that complement your verbal transitions, reinforcing the connections between your ideas.
Use physical cues, such as changing your stance, moving to a different part of the stage, or making eye contact with a specific audience member, to signify a transition.
Similarly, employing visual aids like slides, charts, or props can also assist in smoothly guiding your audience from one idea to the next.
Additionally, adjusting your tone of voice, pausing strategically, or utilizing facial expressions can effectively emphasize the shift in ideas and engage your listeners.

Incorporating a variety of transition words and phrases, implementing verbal transitions, and utilizing nonverbal cues can greatly enhance the flow and impact of your speech. Integrating these techniques will help you maintain your audience’s attention and ensure that your ideas are communicated effectively.

So, let’s dive in and explore the world of speech transitions further!

Using Transition Words And Phrases

Discover the power of using speech transitions to seamlessly connect your ideas. By employing a variety of transition words and phrases, you can create a cohesive flow in your speech while keeping your audience engaged and interested. Swap repetitive terms for different expressions to ensure your content remains fresh and captivating.

Importance Of Strategic Placement:

Transition words and phrases are essential in speech writing as they help to connect and smoothly organize ideas and thoughts.
Strategic placement of transition words and phrases allows for a coherent flow of information, making it easier for the audience to follow the speaker’s train of thought.
Proper use of transition words and phrases can enhance the overall impact of a speech by creating a logical progression of ideas and reinforcing key points.
By strategically incorporating transition words and phrases, speakers can maintain the audience’s attention and prevent confusion or disengagement.

Commonly Used Transition Words:

“furthermore”: Used to add another supporting point or to provide additional information.
Example: Furthermore, research has shown that regular exercise improves overall mental health.
“however”: Introduces a contrasting idea or viewpoint.
Example: The study found that the new drug is effective; however, more research is needed to determine long-term effects.
“meanwhile”: Shows a simultaneous action or event occurring.
Example: The company was experiencing financial difficulties; meanwhile, their competitors were thriving.
“moreover”: Indicates the addition of more information or evidence.
Example: The data collected from the survey revealed alarming statistics; moreover, it highlighted the need for immediate action.

Connecting Ideas Within A Sentence:

“similarly”: Demonstrates a likeness or similarity between two ideas.
Example: The baby elephant walked with a wobble, similarly to a toddler taking their first steps.
“in addition”: Introduces an additional piece of information or evidence.
Example: The market research indicated a growing demand for organic products; in addition, consumer preferences were shifting towards sustainable packaging.
“likewise”: Expresses similarity or agreement with a previous statement.
Example: The new policy aims to increase employee satisfaction; likewise, it strives to improve overall productivity.
“on the other hand”: Indicates a contrasting viewpoint or perspective.
Example: The group was divided on the issue; on the other hand, some argued for immediate action while others preferred a more cautious approach.

Transition Phrases For Introducing New Points:

“first and foremost”: Emphasizes the primary or most important point to be made.
Example: First and foremost, it is crucial for individuals to prioritize their mental health.
“another key point”: Introduces an additional significant idea or argument.
Example: Another key point to consider is the impact of social media on mental well-being.
“lastly”: Signals the final point or argument in a series or sequence.
Example: Lastly, it is essential to provide accessible and affordable mental health services for all individuals.

Transition Words For Emphasizing Or Contrasting Ideas:

“indeed”: Emphasizes and reinforces a previous point or statement.
Example: The results of the study indeed highlight the need for further investigation.
“contrarily”: Shows a contrasting or opposite perspective.
Example: While some argue for stricter regulations, contrarily, others believe in the importance of personal freedoms.
“in summary”: Provides a concise overview or recap of the main points discussed.
Example: The research demonstrates the significant impact of early childhood education on future academic success.

Remember, incorporating these transition words and phrases into your speech can greatly enhance its overall effectiveness, making it more engaging and easy to follow. Use them strategically to guide your listeners through your ideas and ensure they stay connected and engaged with your message.

Incorporating Verbal Transitions

Discover the power of incorporating verbal transitions in your speech to effortlessly connect your ideas. Enhance your communication skills with carefully chosen phrases and words that keep your audience engaged and interested. Unlock the potential of seamless transitions for impactful speeches.

Establishing A Connection Between Ideas

Incorporating verbal transitions is essential in speech delivery as it helps maintain a smooth flow of ideas. These transitions act as bridges between different thoughts, guiding the audience through your speech. By using the right words and phrases, you can establish clear connections between ideas, leaving a lasting impact on your listeners. Let’s explore some effective techniques for incorporating verbal transitions.

Using Clear Language And Cues

Clear language and cues allow your audience to follow along effortlessly, ensuring that your ideas are effectively communicated. Consider the following strategies to enhance clarity in your speech:
Signposting: The use of signposting phrases, such as “firstly,” “next,” or “” helps guide your audience through the structure of your speech, making it easier for them to follow your thought process.
Repetition: Repeating key phrases or concepts throughout your speech can reinforce your ideas, making them more memorable for your audience.
Pronouns: Utilize pronouns like “they,” “we,” or “you” to create a sense of inclusivity and engagement. This fosters a connection between you and your audience, encouraging active participation.

Examples Of Verbal Transition Techniques

Here are some effective examples of verbal transition techniques to incorporate in your speech:
Cause and effect: Use phrases like “as a result,” “consequently,” or “therefore” to highlight the cause and effect relationship between different ideas.
Comparison and contrast: Employ phrases such as “similarly,” “on the other hand,” or “in contrast” to draw comparisons or highlight differences between ideas, helping your audience understand distinct concepts better.
Time sequence: Signal the passage of time or progression of ideas with phrases like “before,” “afterward,” or “meanwhile.” This helps your audience follow the chronological order of events or thoughts.

Practice And Delivery Tips

To improve your use of verbal transitions, consider these practice and delivery tips:
Rehearse your speech: Practice delivering your speech multiple times, focusing on incorporating verbal transitions smoothly. This will help you become more comfortable and confident in your delivery.
Record and review: Record yourself delivering the speech and take note of areas where verbal transitions can be improved. Analyzing your performance will enable you to refine your delivery and strengthen your speech.
Seek feedback: Request constructive feedback or have a trusted person observe your speech. They can provide valuable insights on how to enhance your verbal transitions and overall impact.

Remember, incorporating verbal transitions in your speech not only enhances its coherence but also ensures that your ideas are effectively communicated and understood by your audience. By practicing and mastering these techniques, you’ll become a more engaging and persuasive speaker.

Keep honing your skills, and watch your speech captivate and inspire your listeners.

Leveraging Nonverbal Transitions

Discover the power of nonverbal transitions in connecting your ideas during speeches. Utilize effective words and phrases that enhance the flow of your presentation and engage your audience. Say goodbye to common speech transition pitfalls and captivate your listeners with seamless transitions.

In the realm of public speaking, effective speech transitions are crucial for connecting ideas and maintaining the attention of your audience. While verbal transitions are commonly employed, nonverbal cues can be just as powerful in conveying a seamless flow of thoughts.

This section will explore the various ways to leverage nonverbal transitions, including visual cues, body language, gestures and facial expressions, the importance of eye contact, and how to convey confidence and professionalism.

Visual Cues And Body Language:

Visual cues play a vital role in indicating transitions and maintaining engagement during a speech.
Use confident and purposeful body language to signify a change in topic or shift in ideas.
Positioning yourself differently on stage or adjusting your stance can visually communicate a transition to your audience.
Maintain an open and relaxed posture, which indicates a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Gestures And Facial Expressions:

Utilize gestures and facial expressions to enhance the impact of your nonverbal transitions.
Gesture with your hands to emphasize key points or signal a transition to a new idea.
Employ facial expressions to convey enthusiasm, surprise, or seriousness, making your transitions more engaging and memorable.

Importance Of Eye Contact:

Eye contact is a powerful nonverbal tool that establishes a connection with your audience and aids in smooth transitions.
Engage with individuals in different parts of the room, ensuring that your eye contact is inclusive and not only focused on a single person or section.
During transitions, maintain eye contact to signal that you are moving on to a new topic or idea.
The use of eye contact can also help you gauge the audience’s reaction and adjust your delivery accordingly.

Conveying Confidence And Professionalism:

Nonverbal transitions are instrumental in conveying confidence and professionalism throughout your speech.
Maintain a calm and composed demeanor, which instills confidence in your audience.
Avoid fidgeting or excessive movements that may distract from your message.
By utilizing nonverbal cues effectively, you can create a sense of professionalism and competence, enhancing your overall speaker presence.

Incorporating nonverbal transitions into your speech can significantly improve its flow, captivate your audience, and reinforce your message. Visual cues, body language, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and conveying confidence and professionalism are all essential elements in creating a seamless and engaging speaking experience.

Practice and master these nonverbal techniques to elevate your speech to new heights.

Transitioning Between Different Sections Of A Speech

Transitioning between different sections of a speech is crucial for maintaining a coherent flow and engaging the audience. By utilizing effective speech transitions, you can seamlessly connect your ideas, avoiding clichés and repetitive terms, to ensure a captivating and impactful delivery.

Transitioning between different sections of a speech is crucial to maintain the flow and coherence of your ideas. To ensure a smooth transition, consider using the following techniques:

Introducing A New Topic Or Main Idea

Pose a question: Start a new section by asking a thought-provoking question that introduces your audience to the upcoming topic. For example, “have you ever wondered how technology has revolutionized the way we communicate?”
Provide a brief anecdote or story: Capture your audience’s attention by sharing a relevant story or anecdote that sets the stage for the new topic. This personal touch will engage your listeners from the start.
Use a powerful quote: Begin your section with an impactful quote that relates to the subject matter. This will immediately draw your audience’s attention and create curiosity about the upcoming discussion.

Summarizing Key Points

Highlight the main ideas: Summarize the key points you have discussed so far in a concise and clear manner. This allows your audience to understand the progress of your speech and reinforces the central ideas you want them to remember.
Use transition words: Employ transition words and phrases such as “” “to summarize,” or “in conclusion” to signal that you are summarizing the main points. This helps the audience mentally prepare for the upcoming summary.

Shifting Focus Or Transitioning To A Conclusion

Preview the provide a glimpse of what your conclusion will entail without delving into the details. This primes your audience for the upcoming ending, creating anticipation and signaling the shift in focus.
Ask for the audience’s attention: Use phrases like “now, let’s turn to the final part of our discussion” to redirect the attention back to the conclusion. This helps maintain engagement and refocuses the audience’s thoughts on the closing remarks.
Reinforce the central theme: Remind your listeners of the central theme or main message of your speech. This will ensure that the concluding remarks connect back to the core ideas you have been discussing.

Remember, effective transitions are like signposts that guide your audience through your speech. By utilizing these techniques, you can navigate between different sections smoothly and keep your audience fully engaged.

Tips For Effective Transitioning

Discover practical tips for effective transitioning in your speech through the use of appropriate words and phrases. Enhance the flow of your ideas by avoiding overused terms and incorporating a variety of expressions at the beginning of paragraphs. Keep your sentences concise and engaging to maintain the reader’s interest.

Preparing And Rehearsing Transitions:

Craft a list of transitional words and phrases: To ensure smooth and seamless transitions between your ideas, compile a list of words and phrases that can serve as connectors. Examples include “however,” “in addition,” and “on the other hand.”
Identify logical connections: Assess the flow of your speech and identify the logical connections between each point. This will help you determine the appropriate transitional words or phrases to use.
Practice aloud: Once you have selected your transition words and phrases, practice incorporating them into your speech. Rehearse it several times to ensure that the transitions feel natural and help maintain the overall coherence of your ideas.

Using A Variety Of Transition Methods:

Implement signposts: Signposts are words or phrases that indicate where you are in your speech and where you are going next. Examples include “firstly,” “next,” and “finally.” By using these signposts, you guide your audience through your speech, making it easier for them to follow along.
Utilize parallel structure: Parallel structure involves using the same grammatical structure for each point in your speech. This creates a rhythm and consistency that facilitates smooth transitions. For example, instead of saying “i like hiking and to swim,” you would say “i like hiking and swimming.”
Incorporate rhetorical questions: Asking a rhetorical question can help transition from one idea to the next seamlessly. It engages your audience and prompts them to reflect on the previous point before moving on to the next one.
Use visual aids: Visual aids such as slides or props can serve as effective transition tools. By visually emphasizing the connection between ideas, you can make the transition more apparent to your audience.
Provide summaries: Summarizing the main points of each section can be a powerful transition technique. It allows you to recap what has been discussed and prepare your audience for the upcoming topic.

Maintaining A Natural And Conversational Tone:

Avoid using jargon: To keep your speech accessible and engaging, avoid using technical jargon or overly complicated language. Opt for words and phrases that your audience can easily understand.
Vary sentence lengths: Using a mix of short and long sentences adds rhythm and variety to your speech. This prevents monotony and keeps your audience engaged.
Practice active voice: Choosing active voice sentences instead of passive voice helps maintain a conversational tone. Active voice is more direct and engaging, making it easier for your audience to follow along.
Engage with the audience: Encourage audience participation throughout your speech by asking for their thoughts or experiences related to your topic. This creates a more conversational and interactive atmosphere.
Adjust your pace: Pay attention to your speaking pace and adjust it accordingly. Speaking too fast can make it difficult for your audience to process the information, while speaking too slowly can lead to disengagement. Aim for a rhythmic and natural pace.

Remember, effective transitioning is crucial for the cohesiveness and clarity of your speech. By preparing and rehearsing your transitions, utilizing a variety of transition methods, and maintaining a natural and conversational tone, you can ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are speech transitions.

Speech transitions are words and phrases used to connect ideas and help the audience follow your presentation more smoothly. They create a logical flow and make it easier for listeners to understand and remember your key points.

Why Are Speech Transitions Important?

Speech transitions are important because they enhance the coherence and clarity of your speech. They help your audience navigate through your ideas and maintain their attention. Transitions also make your speech more engaging and polished, leaving a lasting impact on your listeners.

What Are Some Common Speech Transition Words And Phrases?

There are various speech transition words and phrases you can use, such as “in addition,” “however,” “on the other hand,” “moreover,” “as a result,” “to summarize,” and “finally. ” These transition words and phrases can help you transition between different ideas, compare and contrast points, and summarize information.

How Can Speech Transitions Improve My Public Speaking Skills?

Using speech transitions in your presentations enhances your public speaking skills by making your speech more organized, coherent, and impactful. With effective transitions, you can smoothly guide your audience through your ideas, keeping them engaged and helping them understand and remember your message.

To sum up, utilizing effective speech transitions is essential for seamless and coherent delivery. By incorporating appropriate words and phrases, you can effectively connect your ideas and guide your audience through your speech. Whether you are emphasizing a point, introducing a new topic, or providing examples, utilizing transitional words and phrases enhances the overall flow of your speech.

Moreover, these transitions help to maintain your audience’s engagement and comprehension. From using simple transitional words like “firstly” and “next,” to employing complex connectors such as “in contrast” and “similarly,” the right speech transitions can transform your speaking style. By following these guidelines and practicing your delivery, you can become a confident and compelling speaker.

Remember, speech transitions are powerful tools that can transform your speech from disjointed to cohesive, ensuring that your ideas are conveyed clearly and effectively. So, the next time you give a speech, make sure to incorporate these essential speech transitions and watch your message resonate with your audience.

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Transitions

What this handout is about.

In this crazy, mixed-up world of ours, transitions glue our ideas and our essays together. This handout will introduce you to some useful transitional expressions and help you employ them effectively.

The function and importance of transitions

In both academic writing and professional writing, your goal is to convey information clearly and concisely, if not to convert the reader to your way of thinking. Transitions help you to achieve these goals by establishing logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your papers. In other words, transitions tell readers what to do with the information you present to them. Whether single words, quick phrases, or full sentences, they function as signs that tell readers how to think about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they read through what you have written.

Transitions signal relationships between ideas—relationships such as: “Another example coming up—stay alert!” or “Here’s an exception to my previous statement” or “Although this idea appears to be true, here’s the real story.” Basically, transitions provide the reader with directions for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument. Transitions are not just verbal decorations that embellish your paper by making it sound or read better. They are words with particular meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your ideas. In providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the logic of how your ideas fit together.

Signs that you might need to work on your transitions

How can you tell whether you need to work on your transitions? Here are some possible clues:

Your instructor has written comments like “choppy,” “jumpy,” “abrupt,” “flow,” “need signposts,” or “how is this related?” on your papers.
Your readers (instructors, friends, or classmates) tell you that they had trouble following your organization or train of thought.
You tend to write the way you think—and your brain often jumps from one idea to another pretty quickly.
You wrote your paper in several discrete “chunks” and then pasted them together.
You are working on a group paper; the draft you are working on was created by pasting pieces of several people’s writing together.

Organization

Since the clarity and effectiveness of your transitions will depend greatly on how well you have organized your paper, you may want to evaluate your paper’s organization before you work on transitions. In the margins of your draft, summarize in a word or short phrase what each paragraph is about or how it fits into your analysis as a whole. This exercise should help you to see the order of and connection between your ideas more clearly.

If after doing this exercise you find that you still have difficulty linking your ideas together in a coherent fashion, your problem may not be with transitions but with organization. For help in this area (and a more thorough explanation of the “reverse outlining” technique described in the previous paragraph), please see the Writing Center’s handout on organization .

How transitions work

The organization of your written work includes two elements: (1) the order in which you have chosen to present the different parts of your discussion or argument, and (2) the relationships you construct between these parts. Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization clearer and easier to follow. Take a look at the following example:

El Pais , a Latin American country, has a new democratic government after having been a dictatorship for many years. Assume that you want to argue that El Pais is not as democratic as the conventional view would have us believe.

One way to effectively organize your argument would be to present the conventional view and then to provide the reader with your critical response to this view. So, in Paragraph A you would enumerate all the reasons that someone might consider El Pais highly democratic, while in Paragraph B you would refute these points. The transition that would establish the logical connection between these two key elements of your argument would indicate to the reader that the information in paragraph B contradicts the information in paragraph A. As a result, you might organize your argument, including the transition that links paragraph A with paragraph B, in the following manner:

Paragraph A: points that support the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.

Transition: Despite the previous arguments, there are many reasons to think that El Pais’s new government is not as democratic as typically believed.

Paragraph B: points that contradict the view that El Pais’s new government is very democratic.

In this case, the transition words “Despite the previous arguments,” suggest that the reader should not believe paragraph A and instead should consider the writer’s reasons for viewing El Pais’s democracy as suspect.

As the example suggests, transitions can help reinforce the underlying logic of your paper’s organization by providing the reader with essential information regarding the relationship between your ideas. In this way, transitions act as the glue that binds the components of your argument or discussion into a unified, coherent, and persuasive whole.

Types of transitions

Now that you have a general idea of how to go about developing effective transitions in your writing, let us briefly discuss the types of transitions your writing will use.

The types of transitions available to you are as diverse as the circumstances in which you need to use them. A transition can be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire paragraph. In each case, it functions the same way: First, the transition either directly summarizes the content of a preceding sentence, paragraph, or section or implies such a summary (by reminding the reader of what has come before). Then, it helps the reader anticipate or comprehend the new information that you wish to present.

Transitions between sections: Particularly in longer works, it may be necessary to include transitional paragraphs that summarize for the reader the information just covered and specify the relevance of this information to the discussion in the following section.
Transitions between paragraphs: If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places.
Transitions within paragraphs: As with transitions between sections and paragraphs, transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases.

Transitional expressions

Effectively constructing each transition often depends upon your ability to identify words or phrases that will indicate for the reader the kind of logical relationships you want to convey. The table below should make it easier for you to find these words or phrases. Whenever you have trouble finding a word, phrase, or sentence to serve as an effective transition, refer to the information in the table for assistance. Look in the left column of the table for the kind of logical relationship you are trying to express. Then look in the right column of the table for examples of words or phrases that express this logical relationship.

Keep in mind that each of these words or phrases may have a slightly different meaning. Consult a dictionary or writer’s handbook if you are unsure of the exact meaning of a word or phrase.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Public Speaking

How to Conclude a Speech

Last Updated: May 15, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Gale McCreary . Gale McCreary is the Founder and Chief Coordinator of SpeechStory, a nonprofit organization focused on improving communication skills in youth. She was previously a Silicon Valley CEO and President of a Toastmasters International chapter. She has been recognized as Santa Barbara Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year and received Congressional recognition for providing a Family-Friendly work environment. She has a BS in Biology from Stanford University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 115,423 times.

The last moments are where a good speech can be made. If you want to leave your audience stunned, you can learn the basics needs of a good conclusion, as well as some tactics for ending creatively. You can also learn what techniques to avoid.

Things You Should Know

Summarize the main points of your speech to remind listeners what they've learned.
Recall something from the introduction so your speech comes full circle.
Thank your audience for attending and listening.

Concluding Your Speech

Step 1 Summarize the main points you made throughout the speech.

Use the chance to repeat your thesis a final time, if necessary. What's the one thing you hope someone remembers from your speech? What's the one thing that needs to be learned?
In informal speeches, repeating the main points won't be necessary. If you're giving a toast at a wedding, you don't need to run back through a list of the great things about the groom.

If you started the speech by drawing a sad portrait of a recently returned veteran who couldn't get work, or health insurance, and ended up in dire straits, that can be a heart-breaking intro. Pick back up with the story in conclusion to let you know where that vet is now.
Any kind of reference can work. If you started a speech with a quote by Thomas Paine, end with more about Thomas Paine. The bookend technique is an excellent way of signaling the end for the audience.

Put a face on things. Case studies and personal examples are extremely effective in helping an audience connect with a complicated issue or topic.
Some people like to use this technique for the introduction, but it can be unexpected and even more effective to wait and use it at the conclusion, especially for speeches that are a little bit shorter.

Step 4 Use a signal phrase from your title.

"We can turn back the oceans and stop the warming of our planet. It's not too late, as the title of my speech promises. It's not too late for any of us."

Step 5 Don't be afraid of using the phrase "in conclusion."

It's also appropriate to use a "thank you" as the very last thing that you say: "We must continue fighting the good fight on climate change, for our children, for our economy, and for ourselves. Thank you." Cue applause.
Sometimes, it's also appropriate to ask for questions if the occasion calls for it. People should be sure your speech is over, but if people seem hesitant, it's ok to say, "I'd be happy to take questions, if anyone has them."

Nailing the Ending

Step 1 Slow down the speed of your speech at the end.

"The fight for climate change (pause ) is a fight (pause) that we must (pause) win. Our children (pause). Our children's children (pause). Demand it."

Return to the story of the veteran struggling to find work. With the sorts of infrastructure you're calling for in your speech, maybe he could be working a specific job, and getting into his own house, and even starting to plant a garden in the yard, something he always wanted to do. Dream a little, and let your audience do the same.

"We must do this for our children, we must do this for our neighbors, we must do this for America, we must do this for the world, we must do this for the oceans, we must do this for the forests..."
"Politicians can't legislate this. Architects can't build this. Artists can't dream this. Developers can't innovate this. Only you can do this."

Address the audience specifically. Start using "you" toward the end of the speech, or address an individual in the audience to help bring it home.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

"Well, that's pretty much it."
"That's it."
"I'm done."

When the speech is over, don't keep talking. Even if you just remembered a point you forgot to make a few minutes ago, don't launch back into the speech when people are clapping, or once they're finished. When the speech is over, let it be over. If there's a chance for Q & A, then get to it then.

Step 3 Don't apologize, even self-deprecatingly.

Some speeches can be leavened with a bit of humor in the ending. If you've just given a particularly touching toast at a wedding, it might be good to release a bit of the tension with a well-placed gag. Probably not so much for a professional presentation.

Community Q&A

Don't overwrite it. After your first few drafts, sit back and let it rest a few days. Then come back to your ending with new perspective. Pretend that you are listening to someone else say it for the first time. Read it like you will at the event. Then go back to editing. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
Catch your audience's attention. Use a shocking fact, or statistic that will leave the listeners thinking and will urge them to action. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/introductions-and-conclusions
↑ https://westsidetoastmasters.com/article_reference/12_ways_to_end_your_speech.html
↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-conclude-a-presentation
↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-communications/chapter/conclusion/
↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/best-call-action-speech-examples-mitch-carson?trk=public_profile_article_view
↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/avoid-these-common-speech-mistakes-1

About This Article

To conclude a speech, try summarizing the main points you made throughout it so you can remind the listener what you want them to learn or take away. In some cases, you can use the conclusion to recall the introduction, showing how the speech comes full circle. Or, if you have a catchy title, work it into the conclusion to grab your audience's attention. You can also signal the ending by thanking the audience for listening or simply stating “In conclusion” to let your listeners know it’s time to wrap up. To put extra emphasis on your ending, slow your speech to get people to perk up and really hear your final points. To learn how to use your conclusion as a call to action, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Chapter 11: Introductions, Conclusions, and Transitions

Ada agreed to listen to the presentation her roommate is preparing for an Ancient History class. The topic is on the history of storytelling. Ada likes all kinds of books and stories. She enjoys reading novels and watching movies, and she knows her roommate spent a lot of time researching and writing this presentation, so she is happy to listen. Her roommate begins by providing a list of ten particularly ancient stories and telling how old each of them is and where it was written. Near the end of the list, when her roommate mentions how old The Odyssey is, Ada is reminded that she has a book report due in her own history class. As her roommate mentions that we still like stories today, Ada remembers that one of her favorite books is being released as a movie this weekend. She is hoping to go see it in the theater with a couple of friends who also liked the book. She should probably message them to figure out a good time. Right then, she feels her phone buzz in her bag. She does not want to be rude to her roommate, so she ignores it. But it keeps buzzing, and she finds herself wondering if that is one of the friends she is hoping will go to the movie with her. She starts mentally writing the message she will send once she is done listening to her roommate. And then Ada notices the silence; her roommate had reached the end of her presentation. “So,” her roommate asks, “do you think it is good?”

Have you ever tried to focus on something, only to realize that your attention had drifted? Take a moment to consider how many demands you have on your attention at any moment. You might be thinking about an upcoming exam, preparing for a challenging conversation at work, figuring out plans for tonight. Perhaps you are feeling hungry or tired. And you likely have a phone in reach that allows you to be constantly communicating with friends and family or getting updates on a topic that interests you. Even when you are trying to focus, it may be buzzing in your pocket or bag to let you know that there is something else that demands your attention. All of this is true for most of the people around you, as well. We live in a world with an immense number of distractions, and our attention is a limited resource.

This is important to remember when crafting a presentation, and it is why the introduction of any presentation is the most important part: A good opening captures the attention of listeners and makes them want to listen to the rest. It connects them to the topic and helps your audience understand why the topic matters to them. No matter how insightful, persuasive, or well-crafted the body of a presentation is, it cannot accomplish its purpose if the intended audience has already tuned it out and shifted their attention elsewhere. Think about the opening example. This is what happens when a speech begins with a poor introduction. Even a committed audience member who is interested in your topic might have a lot of other things competing for their attention. Would opening with a long list cut through those distractions? Unlikely. Would a generic connection to the topic, such as “everyone likes stories,” hold their interest? Probably not. And, if you start with a weak introduction that loses your audience’s attention at the start, it is very difficult to get it back.

Beyond gaining your audience’s attention, a well-designed introduction also provides an opportunity to set your audience’s expectations. If you have ever listened to a presentation that you thought would teach you about a topic that you were really interested in, only to have that topic never come up, you know the importance of setting audience expectations. You probably left that presentation disappointed. Even if the content of the presentation was well-researched and well-delivered, if you had been led to expect something else, you likely felt let-down because it failed to align with your expectations. Overall, the goal of an introduction is to create a desire in your audience to hear what you have to say. You can then end your speech with a conclusion that helps your audience see how you have met those expectations and remember what is most important from your presentation.

This chapter will teach you how to write good introductions and conclusions.

Introductions

So what makes for a good introduction? A good introduction should typically accomplish each of the following tasks: 1) Capture an audience’s attention, 2) Demonstrate the relevance of the presentation to the specific audience, 3) Establish the credibility of the speaker, 4) Clearly articulate the thesis of the presentation, 5) Provide a preview of the main points of the presentation. There are a variety of ways to accomplish each of these tasks, and the following section provides guidance on how to effectively accomplish each.

Attention Getter

The role of an attention getter is just what it sounds like—getting the audience to pay attention to what you are saying and interested in hearing more. There are many ways to accomplish this. You might ask a question. You might start with a statistic. You might tell a very brief story to get your audience invested. You might open with a famous quotation that connects to your speech in some important way. Whatever you choose to do, the first sentence of your presentation is incredibly important. Consider the following two attention getters:

Option 1: Sixty-three percent of college students report feeling stress about the transition to college. Option 2: People consistently rank public speaking ahead of death in terms of what they most fear.

Both of these technically meet the expectations described above, but the second is much stronger. Why? Because you probably already knew that transitioning to college is stressful. But learning that people are more afraid of public speaking than death surprises most people. In the context of a class that is going to ask everyone in the room to engage in public speaking, this surprising fact makes a good attention getter.

Relevance Statement

A Relevance Statement answers the question: Why should I care about this topic? If an Attention Getter is aimed at getting an audience member to briefly stop thinking about other things and momentarily give you their attention, a relevance statement is aimed at convincing audience members to listen to the rest of the presentation. A relevance statement should tell audience members why the topic of your presentation is important to them. A good relevance statement will make the connection between the topic and the audience as specific and personal as possible. Consider the following two relevance statements:

Option 1: Everyone experiences stress, and meditation can help reduce it. Option 2: We are all in a class that requires public speaking, which means each one of us will experience the stress of standing in front of a crowd and speaking. Meditation offers an effective way to manage that stress, on a budget any college student can afford.

What makes Option 2 the stronger relevance statement? It offers specific connections to the experience of the audience. In contrast to Option 1, which makes a more general connection to stress being a human experience, Option 2 connects the presentation to the specific activity—public speaking— that everyone in the class is engaging in. It also notes the financial limitations facing many college students, which makes low-cost solutions like meditation particularly relevant.

Credibility Statement

A Credibility Statement answers the question: Why should I listen to this person? The internet gives us access to lots of people venting their thoughts on virtually every topic imaginable; why should audience members trust you? A credibility statement is a chance to explain to your audience why your knowledge of and connection to a topic makes you a reliable source of information. In professional settings, you will likely be called upon to speak about topics on which you are professionally knowledgeable. You may be able to point to years of professional experience to establish your expertise. This is not always the case in college. You may be giving a speech on a topic that you just started researching within a few weeks of the presentation. In situations where you lack formal expertise, training, or experience on a topic, establishing a personal connection to the topic can help establish your credibility. Compare the following two relevance statements:

Option 1: I have been researching meditation for two weeks. Option 2: As someone who personally experiences anxiety when giving speeches, I have been researching meditation for this assignment, and I have already started using what I’ve learned to help me feel more comfortable and confident when speaking.

Option 2 is clearly stronger here. Why? The speaker has just started learning about the topic and has very little expertise. Both of these credibility statements clearly acknowledge this limitation. But Option 2 demonstrates the speaker has a real connection to the topic. They become more credible because they likely share a challenging experience with the audience (anxiety when giving speeches), and have learned enough about meditation to have a solution that is effective in addressing that problem.

Thesis Statement

A Thesis Statement answers the question: What is the central point of this presentation? A thesis statement condenses the main point/argument of your presentation into a single sentence. The rest of the presentation is aimed at supporting or accomplishing your thesis statement. For an informative presentation, a thesis statement will provide a specific articulation of what the audience will learn. For a persuasive presentation, a thesis will provide a specific articulation of what should be done in response to the presentation. Compare the following two thesis statements:

Option 1: My presentation will teach you about meditation. Option 2: Meditation offers an effective tool to manage stress and increase happiness that you can start using today.

What makes Option 2 better? Both are accurate, but Option 2 is much more specific. Because of this, it provides the listener a clearer understanding of what will be covered in the presentation.

Preview Statement

A Preview Statement answers the question: What are the main parts of this presentation? By telling audience members what the main parts of the presentation will be, it offers a roadmap of sorts. If the thesis tells audience members where the presentation is going, a preview statement tells them how it is going to get there. As we will cover later in this chapter, most presentations for a class will have 2-4 main points. A preview statement simply tells the audience what those points are and in what order they will be discussed. This helps audience members understand how your ideas fit together. Although it is possible to be creative with how you word a preview statement, it is usually best to be simple and clear. Consider the following preview statement:

My presentation today will describe what meditation is, how it affects the brain, and some simple meditation practices that anyone can use to improve their lives in a variety of ways.

Now, let’s combine the previous examples to see the introductions created by each. Our option 1 examples lead to the following introduction:

Sixty-three percent of college students report feeling stress about the transition to college. Everyone experiences stress, and meditation can help reduce it. I have been researching meditation for two weeks. My presentation will teach you about meditation. My presentation today will describe what meditation is, how it affects the brain, and some simple meditation practices that anyone can use to improve their lives in a variety of ways.

This introduction has all of the essential elements. But because it is too general and lacks any specific connection to the audience or speaker, it is unlikely to draw and hold the attention of audience members. Compare that to the introduction created from our option 2 examples:

People consistently rank public speaking ahead of death in terms of what they most fear. We are all in a class that requires public speaking, which means each one of us will experience the stress of standing in front of a crowd and speaking. Meditation offers an effective way to manage that stress, on a budget any student can afford. As someone who personally experiences anxiety when giving speeches, I have been researching meditation for this assignment, and I have already started using what I’ve learned to help me feel more comfortable and confident when speaking. Meditation offers an effective tool to manage stress and increase happiness that you can start using today. My presentation today will describe what meditation is, how it affects the brain, and some simple meditation practices that anyone can use to improve their lives in a variety of ways.

This introduction is far stronger It is constructed of the same parts as the previous introduction. However, because those parts are much better– the opening statistic is striking, there is a direct connection to the experiences of the specific audience, and it provides a clear articulation of what the audience will learn from the speech—they make for a much more engaging introduction. You will find that an introduction that does each of these five parts well is effective in almost any speaking situation.

Conclusions

Just as you should have a thoughtful and well-constructed introduction to start any presentation, you should also carefully construct the conclusion of your presentation. You have probably heard speeches in past classes or other settings in which the speaker ends abruptly by saying something like “that’s all” or “thank you.” You may have even experienced the awkward silence if a speaker simply stopped talking as they reach the end of their material, but the audience was unsure if the speaker was finished. An effective conclusion prepares an audience for the end of the presentation and takes advantage of the recency effect by ensuring the final moments of the speech review key information.

In many ways, effective conclusions mirror effective introductions. A conclusion should have the following parts: a review statement, a restatement of relevance, a restatement of the thesis, and a strong close. The first three can be taken, with minor modifications, from the introduction.

Review Statement

A Review Statement quickly reminds the audience of the main points covered in the speech. This serves two purposes: first, it gives the audience one more overview to see how the main ideas connect. Second, it provides a clear transition into the conclusion. When your audience hears you transition from the final point of your presentation to reviewing your main points, it cues them that the presentation is nearing its end. Based on the introduction we just created, you might modify the preview statement to create a review statement such as:

Today I discussed what meditation is, how it affects the brain, and some simple practices that anyone can use to reduce their own stress.

Restate Relevance

Your conclusion should restate relevance to provide a final reminder of the connection between this topic and your specific audience members. Hopefully your audience will already be convinced of the importance of your topic by the time you reach your conclusion. However, given that we are constantly competing for audience attention and interest, it is worth providing a final reminder of why your topic matters to your audience. For the speech we just created, you might say:

As we all deal with the stresses of having to give speeches, and of being college students, meditation is one way to reduce stress that we can all afford.

Restate Credibility (optional)

Hopefully, by the time you reach the end of your speech, your credibility on the topic will be clear. You can decide if you wish to take the time to remind the audience of your credibility based on how important them remembering that is to the goal of the speech. If your goal is to establish the importance of some problem so that your audience will hire you to solve it (imagine an entrepreneur pitching their service to a potential client), reminding them why they can trust you is a good idea. If your own expertise in the topic is not a key takeaway for your audience (such as you informing your class about the benefits of meditation), you do not need to include it in your conclusion.

Restate Thesis

Once you have reviewed your points and the relevance of your topic, it is time to restate your thesis and close the speech. A well-written thesis statement typically requires little revision from the introduction to the conclusion. In this case, the same exact sentence works nicely:

Meditation offers an effective tool to manage stress and increase happiness that you can start using today.

Strong Close

A Strong Close is a last sentence or sentences that alert your audience that the presentation is over and conclude it in a powerful way. As we mentioned, you have probably seen presentations with abrupt endings that leave the audience unsure if the presentation is over. This is easy to avoid if you carefully plan your final sentences. As with attention getters, there are many ways to craft a strong close to your presentation. In fact, linking your attention getter and conclusion is often an excellent way to craft a strong close. If you opened with a quotation or statistic, you might make a reference back to it. If you opened with a story, briefly return to that story in a way that ties your presentation together.

Sometimes a return to the attention getter may not work well or feel natural in a speech. In such situations, there are other ways to conclude. If you are advocating for your audience to act in a certain way, you might close with a call to action. For example, in a TEDx presentation challenging societal beauty norms, Melissa Butler (2017) closes with “So I challenge each of you: when you go home today, look at yourself in the mirror. See all of you. Look at all of your greatness that you embody. Accept it and love it. And finally, when you leave the house tomorrow, try to extend that same love and acceptance to someone who doesn’t look like you.” This strong close emphasizes the central ideas of the presentation and provides the audience with one final, memorable, call to action.

If your presentation does not lend itself to a powerful call to action, you might simply close with a provocative question that leaves your audience with something to think about. For example, in a fascinating Ted Talk about the power of language in shaping our thoughts, Cognitive Scientist Lera Boroditsky (2017) concludes, “I want to leave you with this final thought. I’ve told you about how speakers of different languages think differently, but of course that’s not about how people elsewhere think. It’s about how you think. It’s how the language that you speak shapes how you think. And that gives you the opportunity to ask yourself: Why do I think the way that I do? How could I think differently? And, also, what thoughts do I wish to create?” This strong close reconnects the topic and the audience. It reminds them that the presentation was not just scientific data on language, but rather an invitation for each listener to reflect more fully on their own words and thoughts.

Because our speech on meditation opened with particularly striking fact, it would make sense to return to it when closing the speech:

While the majority of people fear public speaking more than death, you don’t have to. You will be able to calmly and confidently speak in any situation now that you know what to do: meditate.

Combined, these elements lead to a strong conclusion to the speech:

Today I discussed what meditation is, how it affects the brain, and some simple practices that anyone can use to reduce their own stress. As we all deal with the stresses of having to give speeches, and of being college students, meditation is one way to reduce stress that we can all afford. Meditation offers an effective tool to manage stress and increase happiness that you can start using today. While the majority of people fear public speaking more than death, you don’t have to. You will be able to calmly and confidently speak in any situation now that you know what to do: meditate.

This chapter provides you the information you need to write effective introductions and conclusions. These parts of introductions and conclusions are applicable in most speaking situations, ranging from your in-class speeches to most professional presentations you may be asked to give. They also work for many types of writing. If you can get your audience’s attention, convince them of why the topic is important to them and why they should listen to you, and provide a clear thesis and preview your speech, you will have gone a long way toward getting your audience to listen. By briefly revisiting those elements in the conclusion, you help your audience remember the key ideas of your speech. The start and end of your speech are the parts your audience will remember most; make them count!

Works Cited

Boroditsky, L. (2017). How language shapes the way we think. TedWomen Conference https://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think

Butler, M. (2017). Why you think you’re ugly [Video]. TEDxDetroit Conference. https://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_butler_why_you_think_you_re_ugly

Communication for College, Career, and Civic Life Copyright © by Ryan McGeough; C. Kyle Rudick; Danielle Dick McGeough; and Kathryn B. Golsan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

50 Transitional Phrases for Conclusions(+ Examples You Can Use)

When writing a conclusion, you want to ensure that your final thoughts are clear and concise. Using transitional phrases can help you achieve this by linking your ideas together and making your writing flow smoothly.

Transitional phrases are words or phrases that connect one idea to another, whether it be within a sentence, paragraph, or the entire text. They signal to the reader that you are moving on to a new point or summarizing the previous one.

There are various types of transitional phrases that can be used in a conclusion. Some examples include:

Conclusion phrases: These phrases signal that you are wrapping up your thoughts and ending your discussion. Examples include “in conclusion,” “to sum up,” and “finally.”
Summary phrases: These phrases are used to summarize the main points discussed in the text. Examples include “in summary,” “to summarize,” and “overall.”
Transition words: These are words that connect two ideas together. Examples include “however,” “therefore,” and “moreover.”

It is important to use transitional phrases appropriately and sparingly. Overusing them can make your writing appear choppy and disjointed. Additionally, not all conclusions require the use of transitional phrases. If your ideas flow naturally from one to the next, you may not need to use them at all.

Transitional Phrases for Conclusions

When writing an essay or a speech, it is important to use transitional phrases to signal that you are reaching the end of your argument or presentation. These phrases help to summarize your main points and prepare your audience for the conclusion.

Here are some transitional phrases that you can use for conclusions:

In conclusion
To conclude
As a result
Consequently

These phrases can be used to signal that you are about to wrap up your argument or presentation. They help to guide your audience to your final thoughts and summarize the main points you have made throughout your work.

It’s important to note that these phrases should be used sparingly and appropriately. Overusing them can make your writing or speech sound repetitive and amateurish. Use them only when necessary to signal that you are reaching the end of your argument or presentation.

In addition to these phrases, you can also use other techniques to signal the end of your work. For example, you can use a rhetorical question to provoke thought or a call to action to encourage your audience to take action based on your argument.

50 Transition Phrases for Conclusions(+Examples)

In short, the program has been a huge success.
In short, we face challenges, but we’re equipped to overcome them.
In brief, the study covers several key points about environmental impacts.
In brief, the team has made remarkable progress this quarter.
To summarize, our findings suggest new approaches are necessary.
To summarize, the market trends indicate a shift towards sustainability.
So, we must take immediate action to address these concerns.
So, this evidence clearly points to the need for reform.
In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the theory of climate change.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates the need for more research in this area.
To sum up, both arguments have their merits, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
To sum up, our team’s success was due to hard work and dedication.
In summary, the findings suggest a significant correlation between diet and health.
In summary, this project has shown promising results for future development.
All in all, the festival was a fantastic experience, despite the minor setbacks.
All in all, the company’s performance this quarter has been remarkable.
Ultimately, the decision rests on what is best for the community.
Ultimately, our goal is to achieve a sustainable future.
Therefore, it is essential to adopt new policies to address these issues.
Therefore, we recommend implementing these strategies immediately.
Hence, the study concludes that more targeted interventions are necessary.
Hence, the team decided to change its approach.
Consequently, the species’ population has shown a significant increase.
Consequently, there has been a noticeable improvement in air quality.
Thus, the experiment successfully proves our hypothesis.
Thus, it’s evident that early intervention is key to success.
This essay’s final analysis is that social factors significantly impact learning.
This essay’s final analysis is that technological advancements have both pros and cons.
On the whole, the new policy has been beneficial to the majority.
On the whole, the conference provided valuable insights into the industry.
To conclude, further research in this field is absolutely crucial.
To conclude, our findings support the need for more comprehensive regulations.
To recap, the main points discussed highlight the need for change.
To recap, we have covered the historical background and current trends.
In essence, the theory simplifies a complex set of phenomena.
In essence, our mission is to empower the community.
In retrospect, the decision made was the best under those circumstances.
In retrospect, the project taught us valuable lessons about teamwork.
Overall, the campaign was a resounding success.
Overall, the results exceeded our initial expectations.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project.
Finally, after much deliberation, the committee reached a consensus.
Accordingly, the plan was adjusted to better meet our goals.
Accordingly, resources will be reallocated to prioritize this initiative.
As a result, there has been a significant decrease in reported issues.
As a result, customer satisfaction has improved dramatically.
Clearly, the data shows a trend that cannot be ignored.
Clearly, our efforts have had a positive impact on the community.
After all, the most important thing is the wellbeing of our staff.
After all, our hard work has led to these remarkable results.
As mentioned earlier, the strategy needs to align with our objectives.
As mentioned earlier, these issues have been persistent for some time.
As has been noted, there are several limitations to this study.
As has been noted, the company has made significant strides in innovation.
As has been shown, the new approach yielded positive outcomes.
As has been shown, community engagement is crucial for success.
As we have seen, the historical context is essential for understanding this issue.
As we have seen, technological advancements are rapidly changing the industry.
Given the above points, it’s clear that a new strategy is needed.
Given the above points, the benefits of the proposed plan are evident.
By and large, the feedback on the project has been overwhelmingly positive.
By and large, trends indicate a growing interest in sustainable practices.
For the most part, the team’s efforts have been successful.
For the most part, the data supports our initial hypothesis.
As has been demonstrated, effective communication is key to success.
As has been demonstrated, the model accurately predicts market trends.
With this in mind, we must carefully plan our next steps.
With this in mind, the focus will be on increasing efficiency.
Taking everything into account, the decision was not an easy one.
Taking everything into account, we are confident in our future direction.
Considering all of these points, the committee decided to revise its approach.
Considering all of these points, it is evident that our strategy is working.
Reflecting on these facts, it’s clear that our efforts are having an impact.
Reflecting on these facts, we see that continuous improvement is necessary.
Given this evidence, we must reconsider our current policies.
Given this evidence, it’s apparent that the program is effective.
Bearing this in mind, our focus should shift towards customer satisfaction.
Bearing this in mind, we need to adjust our expectations accordingly.
Considering this, it’s imperative that we act quickly to implement changes.
Considering this, our plan must be flexible enough to accommodate new data.
With regard to these points, the data suggests a need for a new approach.
With regard to these points, our team’s strategy has been largely successful.
Upon reflecting, it’s evident that teamwork played a crucial role in our success.
Upon reflecting, the challenges faced were significant but surmountable.
Taking this into consideration, our next steps should be carefully planned.
Taking this into consideration, the project’s scope may need to be expanded.
Drawing from these conclusions, it’s clear that more research is needed.
Drawing from these conclusions, our approach has proven effective.
From this perspective, the long-term benefits of the project are clear.
From this perspective, we can see the importance of continuous innovation.
Looking back on this, the progress we’ve made is substantial.
Looking back on this, lessons learned will inform our future strategies.
Upon examination, the results support the need for more targeted efforts.
Upon examination, our strategies have been effective in several key areas.
In light of these facts, a revision of our strategy is advisable.
In light of these facts, the success of the initiative is undeniable.
After considering all these factors, the decision was unanimous.
After considering all these factors, our path forward is clear.
Having discussed all these points, it’s time to make a decision.
Having discussed all these points, the direction for the future is set.

Transitional Phrases for Adding Information

When writing a conclusion, it is important to add information that supports your thesis statement. Transitional phrases can help you do this by linking your ideas together and making your writing more coherent. Here are some transitional phrases that you can use to add information to your conclusion:

First: Use this phrase to introduce the first point that supports your thesis statement. For example, “First, it is important to consider the impact of climate change on our planet.”
Second: Use this phrase to introduce the second point that supports your thesis statement. For example, “Second, we need to take action to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Third: Use this phrase to introduce the third point that supports your thesis statement. For example, “Third, we must work together to create a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Addition: Use this phrase to add more information to support your previous point. For example, “In addition, recent studies have shown that global temperatures are rising at an alarming rate.”
In addition: Use this phrase to add more information to your previous point. For example, “In addition, we need to invest in renewable energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”
Moreover: Use this phrase to add more information that strengthens your argument. For example, “Moreover, the use of electric cars can help reduce air pollution in our cities.”
Furthermore: Use this phrase to add more information that supports your argument. For example, “Furthermore, investing in public transportation can help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.”
Also: Use this phrase to add more information that supports your argument. For example, “Also, we need to educate people about the importance of recycling and reducing waste.”
Too: Use this phrase to add more information that supports your argument. For example, “We need to reduce our carbon footprint, and we can do so by using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, too.”
Another: Use this phrase to add another point that supports your thesis statement. For example, “Another way to reduce our carbon footprint is by planting more trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”
For example: Use this phrase to provide an example that supports your argument. For example, “For example, the city of Copenhagen has set a goal to become carbon-neutral by 2025.”
For instance: Use this phrase to provide an example that supports your argument. For example, “For instance, the use of solar panels can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”
Especially: Use this phrase to emphasize a point that supports your argument. For example, “Especially in urban areas, we need to invest in green spaces to improve air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect.”
Particularly: Use this phrase to emphasize a point that supports your argument. For example, “Particularly in developing countries, we need to promote sustainable agriculture practices to reduce deforestation and soil degradation.”
Indeed: Use this phrase to emphasize a point that supports your argument. For example, “Indeed, the evidence shows that climate change is a real and urgent threat to our planet.”
In fact: Use this phrase to provide a fact that supports your argument. For example, “In fact, the burning of fossil fuels is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.”

Transitional Phrases for Comparing and Contrasting

When writing an essay or article, it is important to compare and contrast different ideas or concepts. Transitional phrases can help you do this effectively by guiding the reader through your thought process. Here are some transitional phrases that you can use to compare and contrast different ideas:

Contrast: If you want to highlight the differences between two ideas, you can use transitional phrases such as “on the other hand” or “however”. For example, “The new product is cheaper than the old one. However, it is not as durable.”
Like/Likewise/Similarly: If you want to show that two ideas are similar, you can use transitional phrases such as “like”, “likewise”, or “similarly”. For example, “Both products are made from organic materials. Likewise, they are both environmentally friendly.”
On the contrary: If you want to show that two ideas are opposite, you can use transitional phrases such as “on the contrary”. For example, “Some people believe that technology will save the world. On the contrary, others believe that technology is destroying the planet.”
Despite/Nevertheless: If you want to show that two ideas are contradictory, you can use transitional phrases such as “despite” or “nevertheless”. For example, “Despite the fact that the new product is more expensive, it is still selling well.”
While/Equally: If you want to show that two ideas are of equal importance, you can use transitional phrases such as “while” or “equally”. For example, “While the new product is more expensive, it is also more durable.”

Using transitional phrases can help you compare and contrast different ideas in a clear and concise manner. By using these phrases, you can guide the reader through your thought process and make your writing more engaging and informative.

Transitional Phrases for Cause and Effect

When writing an article or essay, it is important to use transitional phrases to link ideas and concepts. One of the most commonly used types of transitional phrases is the cause-and-effect transitional phrase. These phrases help to connect two events or actions and describe how one event or action led to another.

Some of the most commonly used transitional phrases for cause and effect include “cause,” “result,” “because,” “as a result,” “consequently,” “hence,” “thus,” and “cause and effect.” These phrases can be used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate the cause of an event or action, or at the end of a sentence to indicate the effect of an event or action.

For example, you can use the transitional phrase “because” to indicate the cause of an event or action. For instance, “Because of the heavy rain, the streets were flooded.” Here, the cause of the flooded streets is heavy rain.

Another commonly used transitional phrase for cause and effect is “as a result.” For example, “The company experienced a loss of profits this quarter. As a result, they are considering cutting back on expenses.” Here, the effect of the loss of profits is the company’s decision to cut back on expenses.

In addition to “cause” and “result,” other transitional phrases that can be used to indicate cause and effect include “consequently,” “hence,” and “thus.” These transitional phrases are useful for indicating the relationship between two events or actions.

Transitional Phrases for Time and Sequence

When you are writing about a sequence of events, transitional words and phrases can help you order things chronologically. Without these time order words, it can be difficult for your reader to logically follow what you are saying. Here are some transitional phrases for time and sequence that you can use in your writing:

Subsequently

Using these transitional phrases for time and sequence can help you structure your writing in a clear and organized way. For example, if you are writing a process essay, you can use these phrases to describe each step of the process in a logical order.

In addition to using transitional phrases, it’s important to make sure that your writing is clear and concise. Avoid using overly complex sentences or jargon that might confuse your reader. Instead, use simple language that is easy to understand.

Transitional Phrases for Concluding Thoughts

When writing an essay or a speech, it is essential to conclude your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Transitional phrases can help you achieve this by linking your ideas together and providing a smooth transition to your conclusion. Here are some transitional phrases that you can use for concluding thoughts:

To conclude: This phrase is a straightforward way to signal that you are about to summarize your main points and reach a conclusion. It is a great transitional phrase to use when you want to wrap up your thoughts.
To summarize: Similar to “to conclude,” this phrase is an excellent way to signal that you are about to summarize your main points. It is a slightly more formal way to conclude your thoughts.
In summary: This phrase is a concise way to summarize the main points of your essay or speech. It is a great transitional phrase to use when you want to wrap up your thoughts quickly.
To sum up: This phrase is another concise way to summarize your main points. It is a great transitional phrase to use when you want to emphasize the most important points of your essay or speech.
Overall: This phrase is a great way to signal that you are about to provide a general overview of your essay or speech. It is a great transitional phrase to use when you want to emphasize the most important points of your thoughts.
Finally: This phrase is a great way to signal that you are about to reach a conclusion. It is a great transitional phrase to use when you want to emphasize the finality of your thoughts.
Hence, thus, therefore: These phrases are all great ways to signal a cause-and-effect relationship between your ideas. They are great transitional phrases to use when you want to emphasize the logical progression of your thoughts. .

Practical Examples of Transitional Phrases

When it comes to writing conclusions, transitional phrases can help you effectively summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on your reader. Here are some practical examples of transitional phrases that you can use to make your writing more cohesive and engaging:

In conclusion: This is a classic transitional phrase that signals the end of your discussion. It helps to summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on your reader. For example, “In conclusion, it is clear that climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action from policymakers and individuals alike.”
To sum up: This transitional phrase is similar to “in conclusion” and can be used to restate your main points. For example, “To sum up, the evidence suggests that regular exercise can have a positive impact on mental health.”
In summary: This phrase is useful for providing a brief overview of your main points. For example, “In summary, the research indicates that social media use can have both positive and negative effects on mental health.”
To illustrate: Use this phrase to provide examples that support your main points. For example, “To illustrate, studies have shown that meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety.”
In other words: This phrase is useful for restating your ideas in a different way. For example, “In other words, the study suggests that there is a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and poor academic performance.”
As a result: This phrase is useful for discussing the consequences of your main points. For example, “As a result, it is important for individuals to make a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint.”

By incorporating these transitional phrases into your writing, you can effectively summarize your main points and leave a lasting impression on your reader. Whether you are writing an essay, paper, or discussion post, these practical examples can help you elevate your writing and make it more cohesive and engaging.

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Conclusion transition words: Phrases for summarizing and ending

Transition words help us structure our thoughts and guide the reader or listener through what we are saying. When it’s time to summarize your message or end a paragraph, conclusion transition words let you signal this closing.

It’s good to know some synonyms for ‘in conclusion’ and ‘to conclude’, because although these are good examples of concluding words, they can get repetitive.

Our comprehensive list of transition words for conclusion and summary should give you all the inspiration you need, whether you are writing an essay or speech, or just want to become more confident forming an argument. These signal words can also be helpful for restating ideas, drawing attention to key points as you conclude.

We have included plenty of examples of how you can use these transition words for concluding paragraphs or sentences, so by the end of this article, you should be clear on how to use them properly.

Conclusion transition words with examples

We have grouped these summarizing and concluding transition words according to how and where they can be used. For example, some should only be used when forming a final conclusion, whereas others can be used to summarize sections mid-way through your speech or writing.

First, let’s be clear about the difference between a summary and a conclusion .

Summary vs conclusion

A conclusion comes at the end of a speech, chapter, or piece of text, and it brings together all of the points mentioned. A summary, however, can be placed anywhere (even at the beginning). A summary gives a brief outline of the main points but is not as in-depth as a conclusion.

If you are giving a presentation or writing a blog, you may wish to summarize the main points in your introduction so that people know what you are going to cover. You could also summarize a section part-way through before moving on to another angle or topic.

In contrast, the conclusion always comes at the end, and you should only use specific conclusion transition words as you are drawing to a close.

Transition words for conclusion paragraphs

Let’s begin with some discourse markers that signal you are moving to the concluding paragraph in your presentation, speech, essay, or paper. These can all be used to start a conclusion paragraph.

In conclusion
To conclude
We can conclude that
Given these points
In the final analysis
As can be seen
In the long run
When all is said and done
I’ll end by
As we draw to a close

The last three on this list, the ‘closing’ transition words, would generally only be used in spoken discourse.

Some transition words for order and sequencing should also help with structuring what you want to say, including the ending.

Example conclusion sentences

The following sentences show how to use conclusion words correctly:

In conclusion , we can say that plan A will be of greater benefit to the company.
When all is said and done , it’s clear that we should steer clear of this investment strategy.
Given these points , I believe the trial was a great success.
I’ll end by reminding you all that this experiment was just the beginning of a much larger project.
To wrap up , let’s look at how this learning can be applied.
In the long run , we will make more profit by investing heavily in new machinery.
Having analyzed seven of our competitors in detail, we can conclude that our content marketing strategy should be updated.

Transition words for summary

The following summary transition words may be used as part of a conclusion paragraph, but they are especially helpful for concisely drawing together several points.

To summarize
On the whole
Generally speaking
All things considered
In a nutshell (informal)
In any case

Note that although you can insert summary transition words anywhere, the specific phrases ‘In summary’, ‘To summarize’ and ‘To sum up’ are generally only used at the end, similar to conclusion phrases.

Example summary sentences

In brief , this presentation is going to cover the pros and cons of the device and how we can apply this to our own product development.
This new technology is, in a word , revolutionary.
All things considered , we found that Berlin was a great city for a weekend break.
To summarize , we can say that Shakespeare’s writing continues to have a global influence.
We can say that the combustion engine was, on the whole , a good invention.
In any case , we should put the necessary precautions in place.
Generally speaking , girls are more thoughtful than boys.

Transition words to end a paragraph

You may wish to add ending transition words in the final sentence of a paragraph to conclude the ideas in that section of text, before moving on to another point.

Here are some transition words to conclude a paragraph:

This means that
With this in mind
By and large
For the most part

Note that some of these could equally be used to begin a new paragraph, so long as that paragraph is summarizing the points previously mentioned.

Cause and effect transition words could also be helpful in this context.

Examples of transition words for the end of a paragraph

Jamie is a vegan and Sheryl has a lot of allergies. This means that we should be careful which restaurant we choose.
The weather forecast said it would rain this afternoon. With this in mind , should we postpone our hike?
Each of the students has their own opinion about where to go for the field trip. Ultimately , though, it’s the teacher who will decide.

Restating points as you conclude

Conclusion transition words can also signal that you are restating a point you mentioned earlier. This is common practice in both writing and speaking as it draws the reader or listener’s attention back to something you want them to keep in mind. These are, therefore, also examples of transition words for emphasizing a point .

Here are some helpful transition words for concluding or summarizing by restating points:

As mentioned previously
As stated earlier
As has been noted
As shown above
As I have said
As I have mentioned
As we have seen
As has been demonstrated

You may switch most of these between the passive and active voice, depending on which is most appropriate. For example, ‘As has been demonstrated’ could become ‘As I have demonstrated’ and ‘As shown above’ could become ‘As I have shown’.

Example sentences to restate a point in conclusion or summary

As I stated earlier , the only way we can get meaningful results from this survey is by including at least a thousand people.
As has been demonstrated throughout this conference, there are exciting things happening in the world of neuroscience.
As shown by this study, the trials have been promising.

If you were researching these transition words for concluding an essay, you might find it helpful to read this guide to strong essay conclusions . Of course, there are many ways to use summary transition words beyond essays. They may be a little formal for casual conversation, but they certainly can be used in speech as part of a presentation, debate, or argument.

Can you think of any other concluding words or phrases that should be on this list? Leave a comment below to share them!

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10 Good Ways to Transition Into a Conclusion Seamlessly

Table of Contents

Improper transitioning into a conclusion paragraph can be a problem for many students. And though there are several good ways to transition into a conclusion, most of them are methodical and monotonous.

A natural transition makes your writing more powerful and evocative, serving a better final impression. In this article, we’ll go over highly creative and exciting approaches to transitioning into a conclusion.

Why Do We Have Conclusions?

A conclusion is the concluding part of something, evidencing an important or final point of an argument or premise .

The conclusion is your last attempt to convince a skeptical reader. Different essays require different conclusions, but they all serve the same primary purpose of highlighting a content’s most essential points.

A conclusion restates the thesis differently and rehashes the points made in the body of the paper.

The most crucial part of a concluding paragraph is to refrain from introducing any new ideas or concepts to the reader. New material does not belong in the conclusion because it may detract from the thesis.

Why Are Transitions Necessary to a Conclusion?

Transitions refer to how you can connect the ideas you want to share in your writing. Most individuals unconsciously use transitional words without thinking about them whenever they write or speak.

The use of transitional phrases like “then,” “after that,” and “anyway” in everyday discourse is one such example. Without transitions, the flow of your words is broken, making it difficult for the reader or listener to understand what you’re trying to communicate.

Since transitions are more natural in conversation, writers should keep this in mind while they organize their essays. The reader might be confused as to why you jumped from one thought to another without a transitional word or phrase.

One way to look at transitions is as the mortar that binds your essay’s many sections together.

Top Ten Good Ways to Transition Into a Conclusion

Wrapping up an essay or speech is tough when you don’t know how to do it well. This section will teach you the right way to transition into a conclusion nicely. These top ten transitions will provide you with alternatives to “In conclusion” that you can adopt instead:

By and large
Generally speaking
Given these points
All things considered

Wrapping Up

If you need clarification on a conclusion, the conclusion is the final part of your speech . These considerations above are good ways to transition into a conclusion seamlessly without any form of awkwardness.

10 Good Ways to Transition Into a Conclusion Seamlessly

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Using Effective Conclusion Transitions (With Examples)

If you are a student who wants to improve his GPA, you are probably wondering how you can make your essays more interesting. Or how you can get your professor to give you higher grades on your papers. This is why you are probably reading this post about conclusion transitions and maybe looking for some professional homework writing help . The truth is that you teacher is tired of seeing “in conclusion” after “in conclusion” throughout essays. It sounds repetitive and shows that you don’t have a rich vocabulary. Of course, none of these issues will help you get a better grade. This is why you need to learn everything about conclusion paragraph transitions; and you need to learn it right now. Start using some good conclusion transitions in your upcoming essays and see your grades go up!

What are conclusion transitions, why the conclusion is important (conclusion paragraph transitions mistakes), examples of words considered to be good conclusion transitions, conclusion transitions examples: full sentences, conclusion tips and tricks for students.

Conclusion transitions are exactly what their name suggests: one of more words that make the transition from the body of your essay to its conclusion. Simple! However, things are not as simple as you think. Otherwise why would students search for effective conclusion paragraph transitions? The reality is that you may come up with some transitions on your own if you do some brainstorming. In addition, you can find several other transitions by reading papers written by established writers. However, finding good conclusion transitions this way requires a lot of time and effort. And let’s face it; students don’t really have much free time on their hands. You need a solution and you need it now.

The conclusion is just as important as the introduction when it comes to an essay (research paper, informative essay , descriptive essay, etc.). No matter what type of academic paper you need to write (yes, especially a thesis or a dissertation), you must end it with a strong conclusion. And this conclusion contains conclusion sentence transitions. Your conclusion summarizes everything: your research, your analysis, your findings, and your opinions. It can be a couple hundred words long. Imagine how it would look if you wouldn’t use any transitions for conclusion. Some people may not even notice that what they are reading is the conclusion of your essay. And don’t ever think that using “in conclusion” all over the place will help either. It will just make your writing repetitive and boring. To provide assistance to students, we decided to put together some of the most effective conclusion paragraph transitions. We will show you the best words for transitions and will then help you with some sentence examples using these words.

Now that you understand why you absolutely need conclusion transitions, it’s time to show you some of the words you can effectively use in your conclusion. In fact, you can use these words anywhere you want to summarize something, including in the body paragraphs of your academic paper. These words (with which we will make full sentences later on in this blog) will make your writing more interesting, more engaging, and a lot less boring. Of course, using some good conclusion transitions will also get your point across that you have a rich and diverse vocabulary. So, without further ado, here are the conclusion transition words you should be using straight away in your academic essays:

in the final analysis
in conclusion
to conclude
on the whole
all things considered
to summarize

Of course, these are just some of the words you can use in your conclusion. What you should not do, obviously, is to use the same transitions for a conclusion in each sentence. Vary the words you use throughout the paper. In addition, note that some of these transition words are more powerful (to sum up, for example) than others (altogether, for example). Also, we want to make sure that you understand that you can use these transitions anywhere in your essay, not just in the conclusion paragraph. Even though they are called conclusion transitions, they can transition from a couple of interesting ideas in a paragraph to a sentence that ends the paragraph and summarizes the most important ideas or aspects that have been discussed so far. It can be used as a way to remind your readers about the most important points of discussion.

Simply knowing which words to use in your transitions is usually not enough. This is why we decided to show you some examples of conclusion sentence transitions using some of the most effective words from the list above:

In sum, each one of the experiments listed above (experiment 1, experiment 2, and experiment 3) clearly indicates that autonomous driving vehicles are increasingly more efficient and secure than regular vehicles.
All in all, we can safely conclude that the actions of the Vietcong led to the inevitable entry of the United States into the conflict on the Indochinese Peninsula.
In essence, what our findings reveal is that the human race is still at least 30 years from a successful colonization of the planet Mars.
Ultimately, it is my belief that what led to the Second World War was Germany’s rapid military expansion and its clear policy of expansionism.
To sum up everything, the real cause of the melting of the Polar ice cap is global warming (caused by heavy industry, fossil fuel burning, and intensive farming).
In a word, we conclude that the sinking of the Bismarck was a “lucky” hit from a torpedo in the rudder area of the German battleship.
All things considered, it looks like the policy of the Trump administration to keep out aliens at all cost is proving to be ineffective and costly.
In essence, what my findings suggest is that the Savannah cat is a rare breed of cat that has over 50% genetic material from a Serval feline.
To summarize everything, studies suggest that repeated concussions of the head that occur during contact sports are responsible for the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Altogether, the evidence my research has uncovered clearly points to the conclusion that the Grizzly bear should be included on the endangered species list.
In short, repeated exposure to radiation emanating from high-SAR mobile phones can lead to severe forms of cancer and other health problems.
Finally, taking into consideration statements from the three congressmen and realistic data from other relevant studies, we can conclude that the United States war policy is deeply flawed.

Now that you know all of the most effective conclusion transition words and also know how to use them to form transition sentences, it’s time for some tips and tricks for students. Because the conclusion transitions examples above will not manage to improve your grades substantially on their worn. Our professional academic writers suggest you to try to also improve your vocabulary outside the conclusion section. The way you write influences the grade you receive on that essay. Also, you should be careful not to use conclusion words where there is no conclusion to draw. Using transitions for the sake of using transitions will get your paper penalized. Another important tip is to get online assistance when you think your essay does not live to the standards of your professor. Instead of getting a low grade, you can get a top grade simply by getting some help online. Remember that there are hundreds of academic writers who are more than happy to help you polish your writing. They can turn your essay into a masterpiece. And of course, you get the chance to learn from the best writers on the Internet at the same time!

Your Senses Shut Down in a Certain Order When You're About to Die

T he passage from life to death is a profound transition, marked by the gradual cessation of bodily functions and senses. As science illuminates this enigmatic journey, we unravel the sequence in which our senses bid farewell-offering insight into the intricacies of the human experience. James Hallenbeck, an esteemed expert in palliative care at Stanford University, has dedicated his career to understanding the intricacies of end-of-life experiences. Drawing from his wealth of expertise and compassion, Hallenbeck has meticulously documented the sequence in which dying patients lose their senses-a roadmap through the final stages of life's journey.

Hallenbeck's seminal work offers invaluable insights into the profound transformations that accompany the transition from life to death

With precision and empathy, he unravels the mysteries of sensory decline. Shedding light on the nuanced interplay between physiology, psychology , and spirituality. As a beacon of wisdom in the field of palliative care, Hallenbeck's research not only deepens our understanding of mortality but also enriches our capacity for empathy and compassionate care.

Through his pioneering efforts, Hallenbeck continues to inspire a new generation of healthcare professionals, guiding them on a path of profound healing and solace for those nearing life's end. His legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of compassion and the transformative impact of understanding in the face of life's most profound mysteries. In his book Palliative Care Perspectives, he wrote: " First hunger and then thirst are lost. Speech is lost next, followed by vision. The last senses to go are usually hearing and touch."

Read More: Doctor Convinced Without a Doubt That There's Life After Death

Hunger and Thirst: The Fading Appetite

The decline in appetite and thirst at the threshold of death not only reflects physiological changes but also underscores the profound shift in the body's priorities. Beyond mere cessation of hunger pangs and the desire for hydration, this stage signifies a deeper relinquishment. A letting go of earthly needs in preparation for the final journey. Understanding the metabolic nuances of this phase sheds light on the body's remarkable adaptability in confronting mortality.

Speech: The Waning Voice

Speech, often regarded as a quintessential expression of human connection, undergoes a poignant transformation as death approaches. The slowing cadence of conversation and the eventual silence mirror the gradual withdrawal from the external world. Yet, within this silence lies a profound form of communication-a silent dialogue between the departing soul and the cosmos, transcending linguistic barriers and temporal constraints. Exploring the psychosocial dimensions of this stage unveils the complexities of human consciousness in its twilight hour.

Read More: 5 Most Common Deathbed Regrets, According to Palliative Care Nurse

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Vision: the dimming light.

The fading of vision heralds a transition from the tangible to the ethereal-a journey into the realm of shadows and whispers. As the visual landscape recedes, the mind's eye opens to vistas unseen, traversing the threshold between perception and imagination. Hallucinations, far from mere aberrations, offer glimpses into the psyche's innermost recesses, weaving a tapestry of memory and emotion. Through the lens of visual decline, we embark on a voyage through the corridors of consciousness, where reality and illusion intertwine in a dance of fading light.

Touch: The Lingering Connection

In the moments before passing, tactile sensations linger as traces of earthly existence. Bridging the divide between the finite and the infinite. Though brief, the touch of a loved one's hand carries the weight of a lifetime's worth of shared experiences-a testament to the lasting power of human connection. As consciousness wanes, touch becomes a conduit for transcendence, exceeding the physical body's limitations to touch the very essence of being. Exploring the healing potential of tactile stimulation in end-of-life care unveils the profound impact of human touch on the journey toward acceptance and peace.

Hearing: The Last Echoes

In the final moments, amidst the silence of the senses, hearing emerges as a keeper of awareness. Echoing the whispers of eternity. The groundbreaking research inspiring the diligence of acoustic perception in the face of upcoming demise offers a glimpse into the strength of the human spirit-a testament to the lasting legacy of sound. Through the sounding of final echoes, we confront the paradox of mortality, finding solace in the timeless resonance of the human voice.

In Conclusion:

In the symphony of life's sunset, the sequence of sensory shutdown unveils the complexities of our mortal journey. From the fading hunger to the lingering echoes of sound, each sense offers a poignant narrative of departure. As we consider the enigma of death, we find solace in the lasting legacy of sensation. Transcending the brief confines of existence. In the embrace of eternity, our senses pave the way for a timeless song of being-a testament to the enduring beauty of the human experience.

Read More: The Body Knows When Death is Near, and It Begins in Your Nose

" You will lose your senses in specific order when you're about to die, expert reveals " Metro . Sophiemay-williams. April 13, 2024.
" A DOCTOR has revealed the first senses people lose just before they die " The Sun . Harry Goodwin. April 2023.
" What It Feels Like to Die " The Atlantic . Jennie Dear. September 9, 2015.

The post Your Senses Shut Down in a Certain Order When You're About to Die appeared first on The Hearty Soul .

7 Symptoms of Diverticulitis (And Natural Remedies To Help Fix It)

UNC Chapel Hill

The structure of participants’ turn-transition practices in aided conversations that use speech-output technologies.

May 21, 2024

By Skip Ryan

Savolainen, I., Klippi, A., Tykkyläinen, T., Higginbotham, J., & Launonen, K. (2020). The structure of participants’ turn-transition practices in aided conversations that use speech-output technologies. Augmentative and Alternative Communication , 36 (1), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2019.1698654

This study examined turn-transition structures used during aided turn initiations between four male students aged 7 to 18 years with complex communication needs and their mothers. Three students were diagnosed with cerebral palsy and reported to have a gap between their development and verbal age from 0 to 5 years, and one student was diagnosed with Aicardi goutieres syndrome with a gap in his development and verbal age of 12 years. A mutual orientation to progressivity was observed in the following three-part turn-transition comprising aided turn initiations: 1) the pre-beginning, when the aided communicator shifted his gaze to the device during a partner’s turn or a transition-relevant place; 2) the middle of aided turn construction, during which communication partners either continued a sequence, produced a first pair part, or remained silent, and; 3) the end, when the aided communicator activated the speech generating device following a gap, latch, or overlap. During the pre-beginning, mothers most frequently engaged in talking by continuing a previous sequence, suggesting that the aided communicator’s actions were viewed as anticipatory signs rather than overlapping turns. During the middle of turn-transitions, the mothers’ talking actions were treated by both partners as an allowable parallel activity that didn’t disrupt the progress because these contributions rarely required a reply and were most often completed before the activation of the aided communicator’s SGD. If aided communicators did respond to overlapping talk, it was most often with an unaided response to display agreement or confirmation through relatively short embodied or vocal resources. Thus, the third part of the turn-transition was most often preceded by a silent gap because the mothers stopped talking, suggesting that mothers worked to preserve an interactional slot.

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When should Harvard speak out?

Institutional Voice Working Group provides a roadmap in new report

Jessica McCann

Harvard Correspondent

In April, interim President Alan M. Garber and interim Provost John F. Manning announced two University-wide initiati v es to explore how best to cultivate and reinforce open inquiry, constructive dialogue, and academic freedom on campus. The first, the Open Inquiry and Constructive Dialogue Working Group, is examining how to nurture and support engagement across differing viewpoints in Harvard’s teaching, learning, and dialogue. The second, the Institutional Voice Working Group, has taken up the more specific question of whether and when Harvard as a University should speak on matters of social and political significance and who should be authorized to speak for the institution as a whole. On Tuesday, Garber, Manning, and the deans of Harvard’s Schools announced that they had accepted the working group’s proposed statement of principles.

The Institutional Voice Working Group began its work by conducting a broad review of the types of public statements that Harvard and peer institutions have made in recent years. It also invited community feedback. The group has engaged in extensive outreach to members of the Harvard community, conducting a survey, soliciting input via email, and hosting more than 30 virtual and in-person listening sessions. Discussions covered the criteria by which the University and its various units should make official statements about public matters, the rationale behind these criteria, and the consequences that might arise for Harvard and its community when they do so.

The Gazette spoke with co-chairs Noah Feldman and Alison Simmons about the working group’s report . Feldman is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and chair of Harvard’s Society of Fellows. Simmons is the Samuel H. Wolcott Professor of Philosophy and faculty co-director, Embedded EthiCS, in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Can you summarize the report and what it seeks to do?

Simmons: Our charge was to answer the question: When, if at all, should the University make official statements about global events, and why/why not? We leaned into the why/why not. When the University speaks on an event or issue, why? What makes speaking about that event appropriate? Recognizing that not speaking about an event or issue is itself a speech act that will be “heard,” a compelling reason needs to be given for that too. We aimed to produce a guiding document that sets out the principles underlying the decision whether or not to issue a formal statement.

Feldman: The main point of the report is that the University’s leadership can and should speak out on anything relevant to the core function of the University, which is creating an environment suitable for free, open inquiry, teaching, and research. That environment is threatened these days, and we need to defend it. At the same time, the University as an institution should not make official statements on issues outside its core function. Harvard isn’t a government. It shouldn’t have a foreign policy or a domestic policy.

In the end, we believe this approach is actually more inclusive to the whole community. We heard loud and clear from many stakeholders that if we speak out some of the time on some global or national issues, then many people feel we are ignoring other issues. And on some issues, our community is divided or the world is divided in such a way that we are going to drive controversy no matter what we say.

“Given the broad consensus we heard, we hope these principles will serve the University’s diverse community well for many years to come.” Alison Simmons

The report describes the University’s purpose as “the pursuit of truth.” Why is this the core principle that should inform the use of Harvard’s institutional voice?

Feldman: Here at Harvard, we hold firmly to our ideal of Veritas. Our charge was to think about how institutional statements affect the carrying out of this purpose. As members of a university, we pursue truth through inquiry, debate, research, and a range of other methods. Our expertise lies in our scholarship. As an institution, Harvard doesn’t add to the truth by announcing a single official position on what is true in science or politics or whatever. In fact, it undermines our mission if the University makes official declarations about matters outside its core function.

Simmons: Pursuing truth looks different in different fields of study. Some of us think we are after understanding (a text, an artwork, a religious tradition). Some of us think of ourselves as producing knowledge (scientific, social, medical, legal). Some of us think we are preserving (cultural forms, objects, ideas). And methodologies vary widely across academic disciplines and Harvard’s Schools. So, by “truth” we mean to cast a wide net.

If what we do in the University is to pursue truth — and to pursue it by reasoned argument and debate, controlled experiment, and so on — then the job of the University as an institution is to create an environment in which we can have a healthy, productive, and free exchange of ideas and argument among diverse points of view on issues of science, society, values, culture, etc. We make progress by encountering friction with the things we take to be obviously true now, so long as the friction comes from a desire to get it right and not to shut down argument. We all have to be open to being challenged and to changing our minds in the face of new evidence. And we all have to engage people who think differently from us with curiosity and openness.

Feldman: One comment from a focus group with students that stands out in my mind is, “Everyone gets the emails and then everyone feels bad.” We’ve come to understand just how unsatisfactory statements truly are and how far they stray from our core function as an institution of higher learning. Leadership cares deeply for the community and they want to respond to the community’s desire for solutions to difficult social and political events playing out all over the world — but statements can’t provide this. Even expressions of empathy, when sent to such a broad community, can fall flat. What we recommend in our report is a return to what a university does best — teaching, research, learning, and service as an answer to these events.

In this report, who is the “we” when you say “institutional voice”?

Feldman: Our report applies to anyone authorized to speak on behalf of the University officially (the president, provost, deans, and other administrative leaders). Individual faculty and students have academic freedom. But they don’t speak on behalf of the whole University. That needs to be understood by the whole world.

Simmons: It is the individual community members who have academic freedom to pursue the questions they find important and interesting, to develop expertise in their chosen field, to teach the material they think is important, and to speak out on issues they find compelling. The University does not tell us what to say or think. And when we speak, we do not speak for the University. The University (i.e., its leadership) must use its voice to protect and promote the ability of all its community members to do precisely those things.

What did you hear in the listening sessions and from those who submitted thoughts and ideas through the survey or via email? How did it inform the report?

Simmons: One thing I learned is just how much people care about this institution. They really want Harvard to be the best place it can be. In that respect, I felt we were all trying to figure out how to answer this question together. We also heard a lot from people who feel pressure to “speak for Harvard” when they do not want to (because they recognize they cannot speak for everyone).

Feldman: We also heard a lot about how institutional statements and statements by individuals are taken up by the media, including social media. In an age of social media, it is easy for the public to think that anyone who posts wearing a crimson sweatshirt speaks “for” Harvard. They don’t! And we need to make that clear.

Given that Harvard is often the subject of intense public interest , some community members have called for the University to adopt a policy of institutional neutrality . This would be si milar to the University of Chicago’s policy, as outlined in a document known as the Kalven Report , which calls for the neutrality of the university “out of respect for free inquiry and the obligation to cherish a diversity of viewpoints.” Does your report call for institutional neutrality?

Feldman: Our report has some meaningful overlap with the Kalven Report. A key difference between the Kalven Report and ours is that we’re saying that, as an institution with values, we have a responsibility to promote our core function as an educational institution and defend ourselves against forces that seek to undermine our academic values. In that sense, we aren’t neutral, and we can’t be. Another big difference is our reason for restraint, which is based on speaking where we are experts and not speaking where the University as an institution isn’t expert.

Is the report a response to the many challenges Harvard and other higher ed institutions have faced since Oct. 7?

Simmons: The University has been making statements about all sorts of things for a long time. Conversations about whether it should be making so many statements have also been taking place for a long time. But the reality in which the University operates has changed over the past 10 years or so in ways that make it pressing to form a policy on the “to speak or not to speak” question.

First, news travels rapidly and widely through social media. When the University issues a statement, it reaches the entire world (intact or in distorted pieces) in seconds. (By contrast, when Derek Bok was president from 1971 to 1991, he wrote up quite long statements that were physically slid under the doors of faculty and students!) What’s more, anyone with a social media account can appear to the public to speak for Harvard. And that makes it hard for people outside the University to know what is and what is not an “official” Harvard statement. There’s just a lot less control over University communications.

Second, we now live in a world of extreme political polarization. And that means both that people tend to react to University statements (again, intact or distorted) in a polarized way, and also put pressure on the University to speak or not speak in polarized ways.

These two changes were certainly on display in the wake of Oct. 7. But they have been in place for quite some time. And the combination of these two new realities has made it important to form a policy.

How will this work dovetail with the work of the Open Inquiry and Constructive Dialogue Working Group?

Feldman: We were fortunate that we were asked for a clear deliverable — a set of principles for when the University should and should not issue official statements. The Open Inquiry Working Group has been asked to address a broader and more complex set of issues about how we can maintain and improve the work we do as a University. The two are connected, though. Both are concerned with how we achieve the core purpose we share.

Simmons: I think that our report might help to provide a framework and some core principles that can support the important work of the Open Inquiry and Constructive Dialogue Working Group. They are already thinking hard about how to promote constructive dialogue in the classroom, in the dining hall, and in the Houses — i.e., on the ground. I think they will help us learn how best to encourage our students to learn from each other through constructive disagreement, genuine curiosity, intellectual give and take, and a desire to grow.

We think our proposal can support that and we take it as a reminder to all of us that the University must commit itself to the value of creating an environment that facilitates open inquiry, and to acknowledge that the University itself must positively promote it and take great care not to jeopardize it, even if only inadvertently.

What’s next? How does the University translate these principles into action?

Simmons : For one, the community will need some time to get used to the idea that the University will not be speaking on a great number of things.

Feldman: Absolutely. With the University’s decision to take up these principles, there will need to be a significant culture shift as people realize, inside Harvard and outside, that the University has genuinely adopted a “say less” policy.

Simmons: We have come to expect those emails from the president’s office (and then the deans’ offices and then other School-based offices) when something urgent happens in the world. It will be startling, and possibly unsettling for a while, not to get them. University leadership will have to remind us all why it is not making as many statements as it used to. Another thing University leadership will have to do is figure out how to translate our recommendation into concrete policy and how to operationalize it.

Our working group set out to provide principles for a strong foundation for the University and any other university that might find these principles valuable. We received thoughtful input from more than 1,000 people across the University. Given the broad consensus we heard, we hope these principles will serve the University’s diverse community well for many years to come.

Feldman: Our goal is for the individual, expert voices of the University to be heard loud and clear. When the University focuses its institutional voice on its core function — and only on its core function — that will highlight the extraordinary work the members of the University do. When the University flourishes, we all can make more valuable contributions to knowledge and to the world.

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Conclusion Transition Words: Definition and Useful Examples
100+ Important Transition Words and Phrases with Examples
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71 Speech Transitions: The Ultimate Guide (+341 Examples & 11 ...
Transition words are transition phrases that are single words. Transition words are snappier, shorter, and quicker than transition phrases. They heighten the pace and intensity of a sentence in a ...
PDF Creating Effective Transition Statements
Transition from Introduction into Speech Body: • Let's begin … • To get started, let's examine … • Let's get started by talking about … into Conclusion: For a short speech, you might conclude with a single statement: • In short … • In summary … In conclusion … In a longer presentation, your conclusion might include a ...
Smooth Transition in a Speech
Speech transition help connect the previous idea to the next, keeping the audience engaged. In conversations and presentations, it is critical to maintain a flow and make sense, that one or two words or phrases are paramount to achieve that. Speech transitions help relate and connect your ideas and help your audience to follow and understand ...
Speech transitions: words and phrases to connect your ideas
Speech transitions are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified. This makes it easier for the audience to understand your argument and without transitions the audience may be confused as to how one point relates to another and they may think you're ...
13 Transitions: Bridging Ideas for a Seamless Presentation
A word or phrase that connects the ideas of a speech and indicates the relationship between them. Transitions: A word or phrase that indicates when a speaker had finished one thought and it moving on to another. Internal preview: A statement in the body of the speech that tells the audience what the speaker is going to discuss next.
Speech Transitions: How to Word Them Effectively (17 Examples)
Let us look at different types of speech transition words and phrases: 1. Transition Between Similar Ideas. As the name suggests, this transition connects two similar ideas by showing where one ends and the next begins. This type of speech transition examples includes: likewise, similarly, in a similar way, etc. 2.
Transitions
Transitions. Transitions help your readers move between ideas within a paragraph, between paragraphs, or between sections of your argument. When you are deciding how to transition from one idea to the next, your goal should be to help readers see how your ideas are connected—and how those ideas connect to the big picture.
Effective Speech Transitions: How to Make Your Speech Flow
Transitions: Pause: Just pause for a few seconds before/after you say the important statement to add more impact. Slow down: Slower your pace to emphasize on the point you want the audience to take notice of. Question: Pose a question to the audience before stating your main idea.
Speech Transitions: Definition and Example Words and Phrases
Speech transitions are magical words and phrases that help your argument flow smoothly. They often consist of a single transition word or a short transition phrase, but occasionally form an entire sentence. In a written speech, speech transitions are generally found at the start of paragraphs. Speech transitions smooth over the boundary between ...
Speech Transitions
Here are some guidelines for creating great transitions: It is generally best to write clear and concise complete sentences for your transitions. Your presentation organization should be crystal clear to the audience. In writing, the transition sentence could be the last sentence of a paragraph, the first sentence of the next one, or both.
Speech Transitions: Words And Phrases to Connect Your Ideas
Craft a list of transitional words and phrases: To ensure smooth and seamless transitions between your ideas, compile a list of words and phrases that can serve as connectors. Examples include "however," "in addition," and "on the other hand.". Identify logical connections: Assess the flow of your speech and identify the logical ...
Transition Words & Phrases
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.
Transitions
A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places. Transitions within paragraphs: As with transitions between sections and paragraphs, transitions within paragraphs act ...
Transition Sentences
Transition sentence This paragraph… Further evidence in support of this hypothesis is provided by Smith (2019). …complements the previous one, providing more support for the same idea. However, Patel's arguments are not the final word on the matter. …contradicts the previous one by presenting new evidence related to the previous discussion. Having established the relationship between ...
3 Ways to Conclude a Speech
Dream a little, and let your audience do the same. 3. Try repetition. Repeating a phrase or a couple of lines can be a great way to hammer home a couple of points and let your speech end with a bang. You can repeat whole phrases, or use parallel sentence structure to end your speech with repetition.
Chapter 11: Introductions, Conclusions, and Transitions
This serves two purposes: first, it gives the audience one more overview to see how the main ideas connect. Second, it provides a clear transition into the conclusion. When your audience hears you transition from the final point of your presentation to reviewing your main points, it cues them that the presentation is nearing its end.
50 Transitional Phrases for Conclusions(+ Examples You Can Use)
Examples include "in conclusion," "to sum up," and "finally.". Summary phrases: These phrases are used to summarize the main points discussed in the text. Examples include "in summary," "to summarize," and "overall.". Transition words: These are words that connect two ideas together. Examples include "however ...
42 Summary & conclusion transition words (with examples)
In short. In essence. On balance. Overall. In any case. In effect. Note that although you can insert summary transition words anywhere, the specific phrases 'In summary', 'To summarize' and 'To sum up' are generally only used at the end, similar to conclusion phrases.
10 Good Transitions for a Conclusion Paragraph
The most important aspect of a conclusion paragraph is to not introduce new topics to the reader. Mention of a new idea at the end of a paper reveals that it should have received its own paragraph earlier on. This also may distract from the thesis, ultimately meaning that new information does not belong in the conclusion.
10 Good Ways to Transition Into a Conclusion Seamlessly
One way to look at transitions is as the mortar that binds your essay's many sections together. Top Ten Good Ways to Transition Into a Conclusion. Wrapping up an essay or speech is tough when you don't know how to do it well. This section will teach you the right way to transition into a conclusion nicely. These top ten transitions will ...
Using Effective Conclusion Transitions (With Examples)
to summarize. thus. in the end. ultimately. Of course, these are just some of the words you can use in your conclusion. What you should not do, obviously, is to use the same transitions for a conclusion in each sentence. Vary the words you use throughout the paper.
Your Senses Shut Down in a Certain Order When You're About to Die
The fading of vision heralds a transition from the tangible to the ethereal-a journey into the realm of shadows and whispers. As the visual landscape recedes, the mind's eye opens to vistas unseen ...
The structure of participants' turn-transition practices in aided
A mutual orientation to progressivity was observed in the following three-part turn-transition comprising aided turn initiations: 1) the pre-beginning, when the aided communicator shifted his gaze to the device during a partner's turn or a transition-relevant place; 2) the middle of aided turn construction, during which communication partners ...
When should Harvard speak out?
Recognizing that not speaking about an event or issue is itself a speech act that will be "heard," a compelling reason needs to be given for that too. We aimed to produce a guiding document that sets out the principles underlying the decision whether or not to issue a formal statement. ... Another thing University leadership will have to do ...

Smooth Transition in a Speech – 69 Transition Statements

Why are transitions important in a speech?

How to make your speech flow more naturally and avoid boring your audience?

Transition in a Speech: Types of Speech Transitions

Speech Transitions to Highlight the first point

Speech Transitions to use between similar ideas

Speech Transitions to use between conflicting points

Speech Transitions used to elaborate ideas

Transition phrases to illustrate Numbered Points

Transitions phrases to show cause

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Transition Phrases to give an example

Transition Statements to demonstration

Transition phrases to mention quotes

Transition to a side note

Transition to another speaker

Transition to an earlier point

Transition to a visual aid

Transition at the end of a point

The transition from Speech to Conclusion

Communications Coach Expert Alex Lyon shares an interesting video on Youtube with tips on how to effectively use Transition Statements for Public Speaking. Check it out below:

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Speech transitions: words and phrases to connect your ideas

What are speech transitions?

Types of transitions

Introduction

Presentation outline

Move from the introduction to the first point

Shift between similar points

Shift between disagreeing points

Transition to a significant issue

Referring to previous points

Introducing an aside note

Physical movement

Emphasising importance

Internal summaries

Cause and effect

Elaboration

Point-by-point or steps of a process

Introduce an example

Transition to a demonstration

Introducing a quotation

Transition to another speaker

Using questions

Transition to a visual aid

Using a visual aid to transition

And then conclude:

Call to action

Common mistakes

13 Transitions: Bridging Ideas for a Seamless Presentation

Transitions

The Order of Things

Between Similar Points

Between Disagreeing Points

Introduce Research

Cause and effect

Elaboration

Transition to a Demonstration

Introducing Your Visual

Questions as Transitions

Movement as Transition

Silence as a Transition

Transitioning Between Slides

Transitioning to Visuals

Signaling the End is Near

Moving to the Next Speaker

Tricks on Smoothly Presenting Transitions

Key Takeaways

Media Attributions

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Speech Transitions: How to Word Them Effectively (17 Examples)

What Are Speech Transitions?

15 Demonstration Speech Ideas and Key Techniques for Your Next Speech