Beginning word for paragraphs

The greatest difference between success and failure is not the lack of ideas, but their implementation. We all think of the next-big-thing over a dozen times a day, but the ability create that ‘big thing’ is what defines us. Same is the case with writers, we have great stories and arguments rummaging through our head, but when it comes to jotting them down, you don’t know where to begin. You are stuck with thoughts like ‘where do I even begin?’, ‘how to start a paragraph?’, ’Do I even have a great idea?’

Paragraph starter words provide assistance in getting that head start with your writing. Following is all the information you require regarding different ways to start a paragraph.

Writing Help With Sentence Starters

Whether you are looking for the right words to start a body paragraph in an essay or the right words to effectively conclude your ideas, there are plenty of effective ways to successfully communicate your ideas. Following are the three main types of words you can use to start your paragraph:

Begin with Adverbs

Too much of anything is nauseating, including adverbs. All those ‘ly’ words in a sentence can get pretty overwhelming pretty fast. But when effectively added to the beginning of a sentence, it can help transition, contradict or even conclude information in an impactful manner. For instance, ‘consequently’ is a great transition word, ‘conversely’ helps include a counter argument and ‘similarly’ enables you to break an idea into two paragraphs. The trick to using adverbs as sentence starters is to limit them to just one or two in a paragraph and to keep switching between them.

Synonyms for ‘However’

If only there was a penny for every time most writers use the word ‘however,’ there’d be a shortage of islands to privately own on this planet; and perhaps on a few more planets too. Anyhow, nobody’s got those pennies to spare! Might as well opt for other, equally effective substitutes! Some good options include:

• Alternatively
• Nonetheless
• Nevertheless
• Despite this

Why You Need to Know about Different Words to Start a Paragraph?

The simplest answer to this question is to mainly improve your writing. The beginning of a paragraph helps set the mood of the paragraph. It helps determine the W’s of writing (When, Why, What, Who, Where) you are trying to address. Following are some ways learning the paragraph starter words can be assistive in writing great essays:

1. Sentence starters help the resist the typical format of using subject-verb structure for sentences.
2. Transition words help you sound more eloquent and professional.
3. They help differentiate your writing from the informal spoken language.
4. They help transition your thoughts more effectively.

List of Suitable Words to Start an Essay

• The central theme
• This essay discusses
• Emphasized are
• Views on

List of Transition Words to Begin a Paragraph that Show Contrast

• Instead
• Comparatively
• However
• Otherwise
• Conversely
• Still
• On the contrary
• On the other hand
• Nevertheless
• Different from
• Besides
• Other than
• Outside of
• Whereas

Body Paragraph Starters to Add Information

• Moreover
• Furthermore
• Additionally
• Again
• Coupled with
• Correspondingly
• Similarly
• Identically
• Whereas
• Likewise
• Not only

Paragraph Starter Words Showing Cause

• Singularly
• Particularly
• Otherwise
• Unquestionably
• Generally speaking
• Consequently
• For the most part
• As a result
• Undoubtedly
• In this situation
• Otherwise
• Hence
• Ordinarily

Words to Start a Sentence for Emphasis

• Admittedly
• Certainly
• Granted
• Above all
• As a rule
• Chiefly

Sentence Starters for Rare Ideas

• Rarely
• Not many
• Uncommonly
• Seldom
• A few

Paragraph Starter Words for Common Ideas

• The majority
• More than
• Many
• Numerous
• Almost all
• Usually
• Mostly
• Several

Inconclusive Topic Sentence Starters

• There is limited evidence
• Maybe
• Perhaps
• Debatably
• For the lack of evidence

How to Start a Sentence that Shows Evidence

• The result
• Therefore
• Predictably
• The connection
• Considerably
• With regard to
• It can be seen
• Subsequently
• As a result
• The relationship
• Hence
• After examining
• The convergence
• Apparently
• Effectively

Paragraph Starters That Focus On the Background

• Customarily
• Originally
• Earlier
• In the past
• Prior to this
• Historically
• Over time
• The traditional interpretation
• Up until now
• Initially
• Conventionally
• Formerly

Words that Present Someone Else’s Evidence or Ideas

• As explained by
• According to
• With regard to
• Based on the ideas of
• As demonstrated by
• As disputed by
• As stated by
• As mentioned by

Words for Conclusive Paragraph Starters

• In conclusion
• Obviously
• Finally
• Overall
• As expressed
• Thus
• Lastly
• Therefore
• As a result
• All in all
• In essence
• By and large
• To sum up
• On balance
• Overall
• In any case
• All things considered
• In other words

Tips for Selecting the Right Words to Start Sentences

Evidently, there are hundreds of starter words to select from. Qualified assignments writers can give you hundreds of them. How do you determine which of these essay starters will be the most impactful? Word selection mainly depends on the type of ideas being shared. Are you about to enter a counter argument or plan to introduce a new idea? Before you can begin hunting for the right words to start a new paragraph, do the following three steps:

1. Determine what the previous paragraph discussed.
2. Decide how the said paragraph will relate to the one before this?
3. Now scan the appropriate list from the list to find a word that is best suited based on the purpose of the paragraph.

Keep the following tips in mind to make your paragraph starter words impactful and relevant:

1. Always put a comma after every transition word in the beginning of a sentence.
2. Add the subject of the sentence immediately after the comma.
3. Avoid using the same transition word again and again. Opt for selecting different but suitable transition words.
4. Don’t fret too much about using sentence starters during the first draft. It will be easier to add appropriate words during proofreading. Needless to say, always proofread your work to help make it flow better.

When looking for the right sentence starters for essays, make sure you are clear about the objective of every paragraph. What are you trying to tell? Is it an introductory paragraph or the body discussing ideas or contradictory information? The beginning of a paragraph should immediately reflect the ideas discussed within that paragraph. It might take some time, but with a little conscious effort and a lot of practice, using transition words would soon become second nature.

FAQ

What is a good word to start a paragraph?

The word you use to start a paragraph depends on the information you want to communicate. However, the right word to use should offer a smooth transition from the previous paragraph so readers can easily transition into the new section.

How do you start a paragraph example?

When writing essays that require evidence to support your claim, start your paragraph with the words like; For instance, For example, Specifically, To illustrate, Consider this, We can see this in, or This is evidence. That helps the reader to explain the ideas in the real world.

How to introduce a paragraph?

The best way to introduce a paragraph is by using a topic sentence that will briefly explain what you intend to discuss in the paragraph. Remember that the introduction of a paragraph is a topic sentence or the thesis of the entire essay.

How to start a second body paragraph transition words?

An essay shows the flow from the introduction to the last paragraph. Use transition words when writing a second body paragraph. By doing this, you show that the ideas in each section relate to each other.

What are some good words to start a conclusion paragraph?

Examples of words you can use are briefly, by and large, finally, after all, in any case, as a result, etc. After writing an engaging essay, ensure the conclusion paragraph is just as interesting by carefully selecting the types of words you will use.

What words to start a new paragraph?

You can begin with adverbs like Similarly, Consequently, or Conversely. Other words to start a new paragraph are: Nevertheless, That said, Alternately, At the same time, etc. Capture your readers’ attention by choosing the right words to use when starting a new paragraph.

The way you start a paragraph will determine the quality of your essay. Therefore, you need to be careful when choosing words to start a paragraph. The use of transition words to start a paragraph will make your text more engaging. These transition phrases will tell the reader that you know what you are doing.

Using the right keywords and phrases to start a new paragraph will link it to what you had said in the previous ones. We refer to these link phrases and words to as signposts. The reason is that they inform the reader when one point comes to an end and the beginning of the next one. The words or phrases also indicate the relationship between different points.

When you carefully use transition words to start a paragraph correctly, they will guide the tutors or examiners through your essay. Besides, these statements bolster the impression of a flowing, coherent, and logical piece of work. Here are some tips that will help you learn how to start an essay.

• Transition Words to Start a Paragraph

  Transition words prompt the reader to establish relationships that exist between your ideas, especially when changing ideas. It is recommended to vary the transition words that you use in your text. Take time and think about the best transition words that will assist you in moving through the ideas you wish to put across. The most important thing is to help your readers get to understand the point that you are putting across. It is meaningless for students to produce academic papers that don’t flow well. For instance, you need different transition words to start a conclusion paragraph than what you use in body paragraphs and the introduction. Take time and make sure that all your points are flowing well within the text of the academic essay.
• Topic Sentences

  You need to start with a topic sentence at ideas the beginning of ever paragraph. It gives you an exclusive opportunity to introduce what you will be discussing in the paragraph. The words that you use in the essay topic sentences should tell the reader of the ideas that you will be sharing in that paragraph. Remember each paragraph should carry a specific theme and this should be reflected in the topic sentences. You can use a transition phrase or word to elevate your topic sentence. It will tell the reader that you are now switching to a new idea.

• Organization

  The way you organize your paper can also assist in boosting the transition of paragraphs. As you plan on the supporting ideas that you will include in your body paragraphs, you need to determine the orders that you will use to present them. Think about the best ways in which the ideas in each paragraph will build one another. You need to know whether there is a logical order that you need to follow. Try to re-arrange your ideas until you come up with the right order to present them. The transition words to start a body paragraph are very different from the introduction and conclusion.

• Relationships

  In addition to how you write your academic essay, you can also enhance how you transition your paragraphs by discussing the relationships that exist between your ideas. For instance, as you end the first supporting paragraph, you can discuss how the idea will lead to the next body paragraphs. Assist the person reading your essay to understand the why you ordered your ideas the way you have done. What is the relationship between the first and second body paragraphs? Do not allow your readers to guess what you are thinking about or trying to communicate. The readers should also know how your ideas relate from the proper use of words to start a paragraph (see the picture below).

Examples of Transition Phrases and Words to Start a Paragraph

Transitions show how the paragraphs of your academic essay build of one another and work together. When you don’t use these transition words or phrases in your essay, it may end up having a choppy feeling. The readers may begin to struggle while trying to follow your thought train.

Due to this, you need to use paragraph transitions in all your essays. You have to make sure that you are choosing the right words to start a paragraph. In this section, we are going to look as some examples of sentence starters. You will discover that you choose the right transition words to start a body paragraph depending on what you are communicating. You may need transition words to show contrast, add to idea, show cause, or even add emphasis. Moreover, if you’re stuck with your paper and cannot find a motivation to write on, the sound use of words to start a paragraph may be your solution! So, here is a list of transition words that can help you in each category. You can use them as tips to get the right words to start a sentence and bring great expressions to the readers.

Transition Words and Phrases That Show Contrast

• Otherwise
• Instead
• Rather
• Comparatively
• Whereas
• However
• Conversely
• Still
• Nevertheless
• Yet
• On the other hand
• In comparison
• On the contrary
• Although
• In contrast
• Even though
• Different from
• Whereas
• Even though
• Other than
• Comparatively
• Besides
• Outside of

Transition Words and Phrases to Add to Idea

• Additionally
• For example
• Again
• Also
• Moreover
• In addition
• Coupled with
• Furthermore
• Similarly
• As well as
• In deed
• One other thing
• Correspondingly
• In fact
• Whereas
• Another reason
• Identically
• Along with
• Like wise

Transition Words and Phrases That Show Cause

• Accordingly
• Particularly
• Hence
• Singularly
• As a result
• Otherwise
• Usually
• Because
• Generally speaking
• Consequently
• Unquestionably
• For the most part
• Due to
• In this situation
• For this reason
• Undoubtedly or no doubt
• For this purpose
• Obviously
• Hence
• Of course
• Otherwise
• Ordinarily

Transition Words and Phrases That Add Emphasis

• As usual
• As a rule
• Above all admittedly
• Granted
• Especially
• Chiefly
• Certainly
• Assuredly

Remember you don’t need to use the above transition words to start a new paragraph all the time. You may discover that each new paragraph is becoming repetitive and distract you from the key component in the critical analysis of your academic work.
Succinctly identify the key sections or paragraphs of your essay in the introduction paragraph. You also need to restate them in your conclusion paragraph. Students who have this knowledge will not struggle with starting or how to end an essay. You can also be sure that you will please those who read your work. The most important thing is to choose good transition words for your essay. These tips will help you to choose the best words to start a paragraph in your essay.

When you begin writing, you have many ideas in your head. You know exactly what you have to pen down, but you don’t know what the best way to do so is. The way you begin writing your ideas down is important. It says a lot about your creativity. Most students lack in this domain. So if you are thinking, ‘what words can I use to start a new paragraph’ or ‘what are some good transition words to start a new paragraph’, you can get in touch with us. We have experts in this field who know exactly how they can put your ideas into words in the best way.

If you are stuck thinking about words to start paragraphs, then this article has been written especially for you. Have a good read, my friend 😉

What Words Can I Use to Start a New Paragraph?

If you are looking for ideas to start a new paragraph, here are a few tips that can help:

Begin with Adverbs

It’s always a great idea to start a new paragraph with adverbs. But remember that overuse of these is bad too, and can affect readability. A few adverbs that you can use to begin a sentence include:

• Clearly
• Naturally
• Ultimately
• Predictably
• Wisely

Synonyms for ‘However’

Beginning paragraph words use ‘however’ quite often. Here are a few other words that you can use besides this to make your writing more diverse, and ultimately much more interesting too:

• Despite this
• Nonetheless
• Nevertheless
• Still
• Yet
• Anyhow

For example, you can write a sentence this way:

‘Despite this, he chose to continue with his rehabilitation process.’

Good First Paragraph Transitions

Transitions words, when used wisely as paragraph starters can greatly affect the readability element of your essay. If the words to start a new paragraph are intriguing enough, that is when people get excited to continue to read further. Beginning paragraph words need to strike the right balance. They can be overly complex, nor can they be too simple. They have to be just right. Here are a few transition words ideas that you can use to make your writing flow well:

• Otherwise
• Besides
• Furthermore
• Moreover
• Conversely
• On the contrary
• Other than
• Still

Emphasis Words

When you use body paragraph starters, and you want to put emphasis on something, then you can use words that can help you with that. Here are a few of them that you can use:

• Hence
• Primarily
• Above all
• To sum it up
• Consequently

For example, this sentence shows emphasis:

‘Primarily, the reason for his stress is his physical problem.’

Conclusive Words

To write beginning paragraph words to sum up your ideas, here are a few words that you can use:

• Finally
• In conclusion
• Lastly
• As a result
• Thus
• To sum it up

For example, the first line of a concluding paragraph can be:

‘In conclusion, there are mainly six main ways of how you can deal with stress.’

Words Showing Cause

So, now you will see some other transition words.

No matter what is the word count of your essay, here are a few words that show cause and are great to use as paragraph starter words, to add more depth and meaning to what is being said:

• Otherwise
• Hence
• Consequently
• Primarily
• As a result

For example, when writing a paragraph about something that happened due to an event that happened before that, you can write,

‘Hence, I chose not to accompany her to work that day.’

Words that Show Someone Else’s Ideas

These words show someone else’s ideas:

• As seen by
• As mentioned by
• According to
• Based on the ideas of

These words when used at the beginning of a paragraph can accredit other people’s work. You can use these words from numerous real-life situations, but make sure they are following the main context.An example as can be seen here is:

‘As mentioned by person X, this is something that we need to incorporate in our daily lives.’

These examples can help you understand exactly how you can use these words when beginning paragraphs.

If you still need help in getting your work done, then we have experts in our team who can help you with this. Here are a few reasons why you should trust us with your work:

Why Choose Us?

Great Experience

We have been in the business for quite a long time and know exactly how to frame words in the best way possible. If you are wondering how to start a new paragraph, then get in touch with us. We have years of experience in this field and know exactly how to write for you.

Expertise

Our writers are highly educated, and they know exactly how to frame words in an articulate manner. There are several ways to start a paragraph. Based on the context of what is being written, our writers frame the passage in just the way that is needed. Beginning with adverbs is a great idea since that helps add depth to what you are saying. Our writers know exactly how they need to work since they have ample experience in the field.

Budget-Friendly

We are aware of how students are always on a tight budget. We have many different packages for you and you can choose the one that suits you best. Just get in touch with us and we will make sure to give you the best deal that we have. If you are stuck with body paragraph starters, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Revisions

If you have something that you need to get revised, then we can do that for you as well, absolutely free of charge. Just get in touch with us and we will get back to you with a revised draft in no time.

Final Words

Being in this business for a long time, we are aware of how intimidating writing can be. Not everyone has the expertise to write, and so we are here to help you. Just get in touch with us, and we will have the best writers on our team to work for you. So if you cannot think of words to start a paragraph, or are looking for body paragraph starters, then you can get in touch with us on our website, and we will be there at your service.

Good transition words for starting a paragraph include addition phrases like ‘furthermore’, cause and effect words like ‘consequently’, and contradiction words like ‘however’. Scroll down for a full table of transition words.

Using transition words in your writing can help you improve the readability and flow of your paragraph to the next.

These words help your text flow seamlessly into the next idea, which shows your readers the relationship between paragraphs and phrases.

What are Transition Words?

Transition words for beginning paragraphs help writers to introduce a shift, opposition, contrast, agreement, emphasis, purpose, result, or conclusion from what was previously written. They are essential in argumentative essays.

Transition words are like bridges between the different paragraphs in your pieces. They serve as the cues that help your reader understand your ideas. They carry your ideas from one sentence to the next and one paragraph to the next.

Transitional words and phrases link an idea from a sentence to the following paragraph, so your work is read smoothly without abrupt jumps or sudden breaks between concepts.

Get a Pdf of this article for class

Enjoy subscriber-only access to this article’s pdf

Types of Transition Words for Starting a Paragraph

Transition words can fall into more than one category based on what type of transition in your paragraph you’re planning to make.

For example, you’d want a different transition word if your second paragraph contradicts your first than if it supports it. Take the following examples:

Purpose	Transition Word
Second body paragraph supports statement in the first body paragraph	Furthermore, What’s more, Similarly, Supporting evidence finds, Likewise.
Second body paragraph contradicts statement in the first body paragraph	However, Nevertheless, Contradictory evidence finds, Despite the above points.

Here is a list of transition words and what category they fall under.

• Addition – A transition that combines two or more ideas and shows their relationship. Examples include, what’s more, equally important, again, also, and, furthermore, moreover, besides.
• Cause and Effect – When one idea triggers another. This lets the reader know that they are directly connected. Examples include, consequently, hence, therefore, thus, next, as a result.
• Clarification – This is to rephrase what was said to clarify a statement and provide emphasis. Examples include, in other words, that is to say, to clarify.
• Compare and Contrast – This shows a relationship between two ideas that are compared based on differences or similarities. Examples are, after all, although this may be true, in contrast, likewise, on the contrary, similarly, whereas, yet.
• Emphasis (Boosting) – This shows certainty. Examples include, emphatically, in fact, surprisingly, undeniably, in any case, indeed, never, without a doubt.
• Exception or Contradiction – This happens when an action with a pre-conceived notion ends with a different action. Examples are, however, nevertheless, in spite of, of course, once in a while, despite.
• Summarize or Conclude – This signals the reader that they are at the end of the paragraph. Examples are, as this essay has shown, as a result, In conclusion, therefore, thus, hence, in short, in brief.
• Sequential– This expresses a numerical sequence, conclusion, continuation, resumption, or summation. Examples are to change the topic, to conclude with, afterward, incidentally, by the way, initially.

List of Transition Words for New Paragraphs

Type of Transition Word	Transition Word for Paragraphs Examples
Emphasis Boosting	Emphatically, In fact, Surprisingly, Undeniably, Without a doubt, Indeed, Of course, Surely, Undoubtedly, Without a doubt.
Addition	Furthermore, Moreover, Supporting the above points, Similar research has found, In fact (See more transition words for addition here).
Providing Evidence	To demonstrate, Evidence of this fact can be seen in, Proof of this point is found in, For instance, Compelling evidence shows, For a case in point, In fact, Notably, One study found, Supporting evidence shows. (See more transition words for evidence here).
Cause and Effect	Consequently, Hence, Therefore, Thus, As a result, accordingly, The consequence is.
Clarification	In other words, That is to say, To clarify, For example, More evidence can be found, Furthermore.
Compare and Contrast	However, However, Conversely, Despite this, In spite of the above statements, Nonetheless, Nevertheless, A contradictory argument, Regardless.
Summarize or Conclude	As this essay has shown, In conclusion, To summarize, The balance of evidence finds, The research compellingly indicates
Sequence and Order	Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Subsequently, Next, Afterwards, Later, Consequently.

Transition Words to Avoid

I recommend avoiding the following transition words:

Transition Word	Reasoning
As mentioned before	Your teacher may write: “If you mentioned this before, why are you saying it again?”
In conclusion,	This is a cliché transition word for beginning conclusion paragraphs. Instead, try using the callback method discussed in my 5 C Conclusion Formula.
In a nutshell, With that said	Too colloquial. Try using more formal language such as: “The weight of evidence finds…”
In my opinion, I feel like, In my experience	Many teachers don’t like first person language in essays. Use third person language and back claims up with academic research rather than personal opinion (except if it’s a reflective piece).
Generally, In general, As a general rule, By and large	Teachers like to pick at you if you talk in generalizations. Instead, hedge your statements by saying “Sometimes”, “Often”, or “The majority of” and back this up with references.

Examples in Sentences

The best way to understand transition words is to provide examples. Let’s look at this sentence:

“Amy did not study for her test. Therefore, she did not get a good result.”

When you see the word ‘therefore,’ the reader knows that this is a cause and effect. What happened in the first sentence caused a resulting action.

The transition word provided a seamless flow into the next sentence that describes this effect.

Using the transitional word, ‘therefore,’ shows that the two sentences are part of one idea/process. Even with skimming, the reader can guess what’s the resulting action. This is how transition words hold your ideas together. Without them, it’s like your piece is just a jumble of coherent words.

Transition words don’t have to be placed at the start of a sentence. Let’s look at this sentence:

“Many people came to the event. Cristine, Emily, and David, for instance.”

In this sentence, ‘for instance’ is at the end of the sentence. However, it still gives the reader the necessary information to see how the two sentences are linked.

Why use Transition Words

Proper communication of your ideas through paragraphs is important in writing. In order for your reader to read your piece with a thorough understanding of each idea and point conveyed in the piece, you have to use transition words and phrases.

With the examples provided, you would see that transitions string together your ideas by establishing a clear connection between the sentences and paragraphs.

Without transition words, your work may seem daunting and stressful to read, and the reader will not understand the idea you’re trying to convey.

Transitional phrases are especially important when writing an essay or thesis statement, as each paragraph has to connect ideas effortlessly.

Therefore, when a paragraph ends, the next idea must have some link to the previous one, which is why transition words play an important role.

Where Else to use Transition Words in an Essay

Transition words are important English devices for essays and papers. They enhance the transitions and connections between the sentences and paragraphs, giving your essay a flowing structure and logical thought.

Transition terms may seem easy to remember; however, placing them in the incorrect manner can cause your essay to fall flat.

Here are some places where essays transition words may fit:

• To show a connection between evidence and the ending
• To flow into the next paragraph, use your closing statement at the conclusion of each one
• At the start of the first body paragraph
• At the start of the second body paragraph
• In some of the starting sections of your summary or introductory paragraphs
• In an overview of your opinions/solutions in the conclusion

When adding your transition words and phrases in your essay, make sure not to accidentally form an incomplete or fragmented sentence. This is common with transitions, such as, if, although, and since.

Conclusion

While transition words are important in any writing piece, you have to make sure that the word or phrase you choose matches the logic of the paragraph or point you’re making. Use these words and phrases in moderation, as too much of them can also heavily bring the quality of your work down.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education.

Starting a new paragraph isn’t my favorite thing. I mean, I literally just finished a paragraph, and now I have to start a new one? Aren’t there unions to protect against this kind of thing? Like it or not, writers have to launch into new paragraphs a billion times every day. To make each new section unique and readable, I try to use a variety of sentence intros. When you can come up with engaging words to start a paragraph, the next few sentences are much easier to write. You can actually become a better writer just by focusing on how you start each sentence.

Types of Words To Start Your Paragraph

Consider the three main ways you can start a new paragraph and add interest to your content.

1. Starting With Adverbs

Too many adverbs in a sentence leads to hyperbole problems. “I am perfectly equipped to write this tremendously informative article about elegantly starting sentences.” Gross gross gross stop stop stop.

That said, an “ly” word at the beginning of a new paragraph can create an excellent link from the last idea to the next. “Consequently” leads to a result stemming from information in the previous paragraph; “similarly” allows you to break one idea into two sections; and “conversely” provides a simple step toward a counterpoint.

Quick-hitting adverbs are especially important when you’re diving into a meaty sentence. Instead of opening with a long linking phrase, start succinctly and then get to your point.

2. Using Words That Aren’t ‘However’

‘However’ is a very useful word. Some might even say it’s too useful. I would go so far as to say it’s way overused. Fortunately, you have alternatives! Here are a few substitutes:

• Nevertheless
• Nonetheless
• Alternatively
• Conversely
• That said
• Despite this
• At the same time

Not all of these pack the same punch as ‘however,’ but these words can serve as admirable replacements for how to start a paragraph and save you from sounding painfully redundant.

3. Relying On Dependent Clauses

As you start running out of specific words to start a paragraph, dependent clauses can shake things up nicely. Hey, look, I just gave an example of a new paragraph starting with a dependent clause! Solid work, me.

There are plenty of words used to start these clauses, including:

• While
• As
• As far as
• Insomuch
• When
• Because

If you notice yourself consistently starting sentences with the subject and a state of being verb, try getting dependent: “Though I very much love writing, I have been trying to come up with this example sentence for a stupid amount of time.” After a series of sentences starting with “the,” “this” or “these,” readers will welcome a change of pace.

Lots of words cannot be avoided in your writing. Articles, prepositions and pronouns are guaranteed to have their 15 minutes of fame. By switching up your phrasing and opening paragraphs with dependent clauses, you can vary your word choice and skip a lot of redundancy.

Conclusion: How To Start a Paragraph

Finding the right words to start a paragraph can present a serious writing roadblock. Sometimes the best thing to do is pick a word or phrase and see how you can make it work. As long as you’re putting thought into it, your sentences and paragraphs will become stronger. Did I miss any stellar starting words for a paragraph? Jot them down in the comments!

Before you begin writing your essay, you must first choose the sort of essay you are required to write. Narrative, argumentative, persuasive, comparative, literary, and other kinds of papers are only a few examples. And, we all know that each essay gets comprised of multiple paragraphs. Students must also consider how they begin the paragraph to engage the reader. Yes, you must choose the quality words to start a paragraph if you want your reader to go through your essay till the end. Your writing quality will be determined by how you begin each paragraph.

Are you willing to improvise your way of starting the paragraph in your write-up? Don’t worry. This blog will guide you in every aspect to learn the words you can use while starting the paragraph. But, First, let’s get a brief idea of why people must choose the right words to start a paragraph in the below passage. Meanwhile, click here to know where to get help with online class.

What Is the Significance of Choosing Words To Start a Paragraph?

A paragraph begins with the words or phrases that initiate the rest of the above sentences. The following few terms will be easier to write if you use transition words to start a body paragraph. In addition, the first words of a paragraph should continue the flow of the preceding paragraph so that readers get enticed to read on. Simply focusing on how you begin each paragraph can help you become a better writer. Meanwhile, you can learn here more about the primary and secondary sources.

How To Start A Paragraph With Good Words?

Paragraph starts are vital for organizing the entire work in lengthy academic writing papers. By smoothing out abrupt transitions and preparing the reader for the following topic, paragraph openers enhance the reader’s experience. Any academic essay must have all of the following aspects applicable to the paper’s topic: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How. 

Thus, the paragraph must start with words in such a way that follow all such aspects while sharing perspective or information with readers. Using words is an art that writers must learn to connect the paragraph and follow the continuity to engage the readers. Moreover, follow the article here if you want to know the distinction between ‘ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ON NATURE VS NURTURE.‘

Here Are Some Factors You Can Follow To Start A Paragraph:

Begin a para with Adverbs

A word preceded by the letter ‘ly’ at the start of a new paragraph might serve as a great connector from one notion to the next. For example, “Consequently” leads to a result based on the previous paragraph’s information. Furthermore, the term “similarly” can divide one notion into two halves. So, try to begin a paragraph with Adverb. Some Adverb words that you can use to start a paragraph are as follows—

Thankfully
Ironically
Fortunately
Hopefully

Use Dependent Clauses

Dependent clauses might help you change things when you run out of precise phrases to start a paragraph. To begin the para with such clauses, a variety of words are applied, including:
While
Although
Because
As

Use Transition Words

A transition phrase or word is an excellent method to begin a paper’s body paragraph. Transition words help the readers connect your thoughts, which is highly relevant when switching concepts. Consider the most effective transition phrases to help you move through the topics you want to convey.

While writing, remember that the most crucial thing is to assist your readers in comprehending the point you are conveying. It’s pointless for students to write academic papers that aren’t well-written. So, you can follow the following passage to learn more about transition words to start a para. Do you want to know ‘THE IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR PUNCTUATION IN POETRY?‘ Click here.

Stuck On Your Course?

Click Here For Your Solution

Stuck On Your Course?

Click Here For Your Solution

You can start a paragraph with the mentioned terms above, depending on the context. To maintain consistency, you must be sure that you select the appropriate words to begin a paragraph.

24.09.21

I’m sure you will agree with me when I say this: starting a paragraph is hard. Although starting a paragraph should be easy — I mean, it’s only using sentences to begin your paragraph, after all, it’s much harder than meeting the eyes. In this article, I’m going to show you how to choose engaging words to start your paragraph and improve your writing. If you want to know more, all you have to do is to read on.

The way you begin a sentence or a paragraph can determine the effect that paragraph will have on the reader. 

It also goes a long way to determine how you can pass the intended message across. You should start the paragraph carefully so that you can keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Starting your paragraph with good paragraph starters can encourage the reader to keep on reading. 

This write-up will enlighten you about the right words to start paragraphs so that you can always keep your readers engaged and make them take the desired action that will fulfill the purpose of your content.

But first, let’s define a paragraph.

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph can be defined as a unit of content comprising several sentences. Usually, a paragraph includes between 3 and 8 sentences with each sentence relating to one another; all the sentences in a section also refer to the same idea or theme. 

Paragraphs are of different types; some narrate fictional stories, while some others make argumentative claims. It would help if you always considered your audience when composing a paragraph. You should also choose carefully when looking for words to start a sentence since the terms can make or mar your article, content, or essay. 

How to start a paragraph?

Since we are clear on the definition of a paragraph, let proceed with ways in which you can start one.

1. Start with a topic sentence

A topic sentence helps to explain the purpose of the paragraph to your reader and explains why that paragraph is part of the write-up. The topic sentence may not be more than 2 or 3 sentences; there are times it can be a single sentence.

To put it in clear terms, the topic sentence is the most important of all the sentences in the paragraph since it tells the reader your intentions. It should be in agreement with other sentences in the section. Also, it makes the paragraph more natural to read and understand. 

Examples of topics sentences include:

• A high poverty rate may be prevented by improved education.

“High poverty rate may be prevented” is the topic while “improved education” is the controlling idea.

• Having a college degree is important because of long-term financial gain, job stability, and career satisfaction.

“Having a college degree is important” is the topic and “long-term financial gain, job stability, career satisfaction” is the controlling idea.

• Writing an essay requires lots of research and analytical writing skills.

The topic is “writing an essay” while the controlling idea is “lots of research and analytical writing skills.

These examples are to show you that starting your paragraph with a topic sentence helps you stay focused; while the “topic” and “controlling idea” help the reader understand your paragraph clearly.

2. Start your paragraph with transition words

Transition words are essential words to consider when starting a paragraph. They help the writer resist the use of a subject-verb sentence structure so that the entire section can pass across the intended meaning to the reader. 

It drives the point home better and can lock the message in the memory of the reader for longer. Passive voice makes the sentence look less dynamic and active voice does the opposite. 

For example:

Let me give you a minute to pick which one of these two sentences is more engaging and easier to read.

Answer: sentence A which is in an active voice sounds more engaging, and concise than sentence B which is in the passive voice. 

4. Passive voice has its place

There are instances where passive voices are better ways to start a paragraph than active voices. This is usually the case when writing a novel or a mystery story. At such times, you may place more emphasis on, for example, the person that was killed than the killer. 

In most instances, crime reporters are written in passive voice rather than active voice; this is so because the reporter may not have all the facts ready at the time of filing the report. Consequently, words to begin a paragraph can depend on the type of writing.

Passive voice is equally the preferred tone of writing when writing reports about scientific findings since it helps to exclude the opinions of the writer from the paper. 

5. Dependent clauses also work

Words to start a paragraph can include dependent clauses. They work wonders all the time. They help to shake things up and remove dependence on state-of-being verbs as words to start a body paragraph. They help to switch up your opening and phrasing in the paragraph, which makes for better writing. 

Conclusion

This blog post is the guide you need on how to begin your paragraph and cease to be a dull writer. Make your content more exciting and make your readers stay engaged more than ever before. 

If you have learned something, kindly use the social media button to share with your friends and if you have a method that we haven’t mentioned, kindly share it with us in the comment section below. 

Comments

Tired of stumbling through clunky, disjointed paragraphs? Want to elevate your writing game and captivate your readers? 

Here’s your solution! 

Today we’re diving into the magic of transition words, the secret weapon of great essay writing. These power-packed words seamlessly connect your ideas and keep your readers engaged from beginning to end. 

So, grab your pen and paper, and get ready to take your writing to the next level!

What are Good Transition Words for Essays?

Transition words are used to show your readers the relationship between words, phrases, sentences, or even paragraphs.

The transition will make it easier for you to convey your ideas and thoughts in an understandable way. The additional purpose of a transitional word or phrase is to prepare the reader for what is coming.

It is important to pay attention to these words if you are writing an essay that can easily convey your ideas.

In addition to that, transition words are also important when it comes to switching from one idea to another. Without transition words, your readers can easily lose direction.

Another important thing here is moderation. Lacking or even overusing transition words and phrases can lead to a clunky and confusing piece of paper.

List of Good Transition Words for Essays

Transition words are extremely important. They not only connect thoughts and ideas but also highlights a shift, opposition or contrast, agreement or emphasis, purpose, result, etc, in the line of argument.

So, transition words are used to achieve various purposes. Other than connecting ideas better, you will be able to put your sentences together smoothly.

Therefore, below you can find some good transition words for essays in different categories.

This transition words for essays list will make it easier for you to understand what words to use in what situation.

Transition Words for Argumentative Essays

• To begin with
• To show
• By contrast
• One alternative is
• Chiefly
• Mainly
• To put more simply
• At the same time
• On the contrary
• Afterall
• With this in mind
• All things considered
• As a result
• To clarify
• Generally speaking
• That is to say
• Yet another

Conclusion Transition Words for Essays

• Overall
• Altogether
• In short
• In fact
• After all
• Ultimately
• All in all
• In any event
• As mentioned
• In general
• In other words
• In summary
• As you can see

Transition Words for Persuasive Essays

• Consequently
• In addition
• Then
• furthermore
• Clearly
• Additionally
• Moreover
• Because
• Besides that
• In the same way
• Pursuing this further

List of Common Transition Words 

To help you further, here are some common transition words for essays that can be used in almost any situation. 

For Addition

• As Well As
• Besides That 
• Equally Important 
• Furthermore
• In Addition
• In The Second Place

For Comparison

• Similarly
• In Comparison
• In The Same Way
• Just Like
• Likewise
• At The Same Time
• But At The Same Time 
• Conversely 
• Even So/Though 
• On The Contrary 

For Time

• Now That 
• Soon   
• Immediately
• Afterward   

For Emphasizing

• Primarily 
• In Essence 
• Indeed 
• To Put It Another Way             
• More Accurately                     
• Namely  

For Repetition

• In Other Words 
• To Repeat
• Again
• To Put It Another Way
• Also  

Sequence Transition Words

• Firstly  
• Subsequently 
• Lastly
• In The First Place 
• To Begin With 
• Then

For Showing Exception

• At The Same Time 
• Nevertheless  
• On The Other Hand 
• But At The Same Time 
• Conversely 

For Proving

• For This Reason 
• Certainly 
• To Demonstrate
• In Fact 
• Clearly 
• As A Result

Paragraph Transition Words for Essays

• Generally speaking
• Earlier
• To put it differently
• Once and for all
• In the meantime
• As you can see
• Furthermore
• To begin with
• In time
• In the meantime
• Thereby
• By the way

Transition Words for Essay’s First Body Paragraph 

• At first
• To start with
• In the first place
• First and foremost
• In the beginning
• Initially

Transition Words for Essay’s Second Body Paragraphs

• Simultaneously
• Meanwhile
• After that
• Subsequently
• Moreover
• In addition to this 
• Likewise
• Furthermore 

Transition Words for Essay’s Last Body Paragraphs

• In conclusion
• Finally 
• Last but not least 
• To sum up 
• Altogether 
• All in all

Transition Words for Compare and Contrast Essays

• Similarly
• Also
• In the same way
• Likewise
• Although
• At the same time
• But
• Conversely
• Even so
• However
• In contrast
• Nevertheless
• Nonetheless
• Notwithstanding
• On the contrary
• Otherwise
• Still
• Yet

Transition Words for Informative Essays

• After all
• As can be expected
• Clearly
• Generally
• Namely
• Naturally
• Obviously
• Of course
• Specifically
• Usually
• Surely

Transition Words for Expository Essays

• To begin
• Firstly
• For one thing
• In addition
• Equally important
• Another reason
• Likewise
• After that
• Afterward
• Not long after that
• Looking back

Transition Words for Cause and Effect Essays

• When
• If…then
• Because
• In order to
• Since
• Whenever
• Due to
• Provided that
• With this in mind
• Thus
• As a result
• Therefore
• Consequently
• Accordingly
• And so
• Hence
• Because of this

Transition Words for Synthesis Essays

• As noted earlier
• Hence
• Consequently
• Whereas
• This leads to
• Another factor
• This lead to
• Likewise
• Besides
• The underlying concept
• In this respect

Transition Words for Analysis Essays

• (once) again
• Primarily
• Due to
• Accordingly
• That is to say
• Subsequently
• Thus
• With this in mind
• To demonstrate
• However

Transition Words for Quotes in Essays

• Says
• Notes
• Declares
• Observes
• Expresses
• Shows
• Confirms
• Mentions
• Acknowledges
• Response
• Confirms
• Shows
• States
• Comments

Beginning Transition Words for Essays

These are some introduction transition words for essays to start writing:

• In the first place
• First of all
• To begin with
• Generally
• For the most part
• On one hand
• Similarly
• By the way
• Accordingly
• As a rule

Transition Words for Essays College

Here are some college level transition words for essay:

• Additionally
• Again
• Further
• Finally
• Pursuing this
• Similarly
• What’s more
• Moreover
• Also
• As much as
• In a like manner
• In the same fashion

Transition Words for Essays Middle School

• After
• Next
• Above all
• As a result
• Now
• Therefore
• In conclusion
• For instance
• Since
• Though
• Additionally
• All in all

Transition Words for Essays High School

• Then
• Now
• Today
• At last
• Finally
• In addition
• Nevertheless
• To summarize
• To sum up
• On the other hand
• Likewise
• As well as
• Although

Transition Words for College Essays

• Such as
• To summarize
• To begin with
• That is
• The next step
• There is no doubt
• Therefore
• Thereupon
• Thus
• Usually
• Wherefore
• While
• Whereas
• Especially
• Corresponding to
• At first glance
• Certainly
• In the long run

Do’s and Don’ts of Using Transition Words

So, now you have some strong transition words for essays at hand. But how do you use these transition words?

Here are the basic do and don’ts of using transition words for essays.

Do:

• Understand that these terms are an important part of any type of essay or paper, adding to its overall flow and readability.
• Use these words when you are presenting a new idea. For example, start a new paragraph with these phrases, followed by a comma.

Don’t:

• Do not overuse transition words. It is one of the most common essay writing problems that students end up with. It is important to only use those words required to convey your message clearly. It is good to sound smart by using these words but don’t overdo it.
• Avoid using these words at the start and in the middle. Always try to use transition words only a few times where it is necessary to make it easy for the readers to follow the ideas.

So, now you have an extensive list of transition words. These are some of the best transition words for essays that you can add to your essays.

If your essay seems redundant because you used similar transition words, you can always have a look at this list to find some good replacements. 

So, whenever you’re writing an essay, refer back to this list and let your words flow!

If you still feel that your essay is not properly conveying your ideas, turn to our expert essay writers at MyPerfectWords.com.

If you have some write-up, our essay writing service will make it flow without changing the entire content. Or, if you wish to have an essay from scratch, we will write a paper for you!

Simply contact us and place your order now. Our writers will take care of everything to help you ace your assignment. 

Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.