Transition words and phrases can help to clearly structure arguments, making it easier to present claims, counterclaims, and supporting evidence in a logical flow. Here are some useful transition words and phrases for each part of this structure:
Claims
- To introduce a claim:
- Firstly,
- Initially,
- To begin with,
- In support of this,
- One key point is that...
Counterclaims
- To introduce a counterclaim:
- However,
- On the other hand,
- Conversely,
- Nonetheless,
- While it is true that...
Evidence
-
To present evidence for claims:
- For instance,
- For example,
- Specifically,
- According to [source],
- Research shows that...
-
To provide evidence for counterclaims:
- On the contrary,
- In contrast,
- As a counterpoint,
- Conversely,
- However, evidence suggests that...
General Transitions
-
To emphasize a point:
- Indeed,
- Truly,
- Undoubtedly,
- Furthermore,
- Moreover,
-
To add additional information:
- Additionally,
- In addition,
- Also,
- Besides,
- Not to mention,
-
To summarize or conclude:
- In conclusion,
- To summarize,
- Ultimately,
- Overall,
- Thus,
Using these transitions appropriately will help to create a coherent and persuasive argument structure that balances claims and counterclaims while effectively incorporating evidence.