Adding Transitions - Narrative & Descriptive Phrases - Down and Dirty Tips: Narrative and Descriptive Essays

Narrative Essay

Helpful Transitional Expressions

Transitional expressions can help tie ideas together and show relationships. They also reveal organization patterns to help your reader follow along. Try out a few in your paper. Be sure that any transition you use makes logical sense.

Time Transitions & Phrases

before
meanwhile
afterward
at the same time
to begin with
subsequently
previously
at last
at present
briefly
currently
at that time
in the meantime
Eventually
finally gradually
immediately
in the future
then
now
later
suddenly
earlier
formerly
shortly
until now
in the past

Descriptive Essay

Helpful Transitional Expressions

Spatial Transitions & Phrases

here
above
beside
below
beyond
further
there
inside
outside
nearby
next to
on the far side
adjacent to
opposite to
to the east
to the west
to the north
to the south
behind
in the background
in the middle ground
in the foreground
to the right
to the left
on top
in the middle
in the bottom