Writing at Work
Many companies hire copyeditors and proofreaders to help them produce the cleanest possible final drafts of large writing projects. Copyeditors are responsible for suggesting revisions and style changes; proofreaders check documents for any errors in capitalization, spelling, and punctuation that have crept in. Many times, these tasks are done on a freelance basis, with one freelancer working for a variety of clients.
Creating Coherence
Careful writers use transitions to clarify how the ideas in their sentences and paragraphs are related. These words and phrases help the writing flow smoothly. Adding transitions is not the only way to improve coherence, but they are often useful and give a mature feel to your essays. Table 8.3 "Common Transitional Words and Phrases" groups many common transitions according to their purpose.
Table 8.3 Common Transitional Words and Phrases
Transitions That Show Sequence or Time | ||
after | before | later |
afterward | before long | meanwhile |
as soon as | finally | next |
at first | first, second, third | soon |
at last | in the first place | then |
Transitions That Show Position | ||
above | across | at the bottom |
at the top | behind | below |
beside | beyond | inside |
near | next to | opposite |
to the left, to the right, to the side | under | where |
Transitions That Show a Conclusion | ||
indeed | hence | in conclusion |
in the final analysis | therefore | thus |
Transitions That Continue a Line of Thought | ||
consequently | furthermore | additionally |
because | besides the fact | following this idea further |
in addition | in the same way | moreover |
looking further | considering…, it is clear that | |
Transitions That Change a Line of Thought | ||
but | yet | however |
nevertheless | on the contrary | on the other hand |
Transitions That Show Importance | ||
above all | best | especially |
in fact | more important | most important |
most | worst | |
Transitions That Introduce the Final Thoughts in a Paragraph or Essay | ||
finally | last | in conclusion |
most of all | least of all | last of all |
All-Purpose Transitions to Open Paragraphs or to Connect Ideas Inside Paragraphs | ||
admittedly | at this point | certainly |
granted | it is true | generally speaking |
in general | in this situation | no doubt |
no one denies | obviously | of course |
to be sure | undoubtedly | unquestionably |
Transitions that Introduce Examples | ||
for instance | for example | |
Transitions That Clarify the Order of Events or Steps | ||
first, second, third | generally, furthermore, finally | in the first place, also, last |
in the first place, furthermore, finally | in the first place, likewise, lastly |