Whether writing an essay, a blog post, a discussion post, or a case study, a writer must ensure their readers can easily follow the progression of points and paragraphs. Thus, most writing uses transitional topic sentences. According to Purdue University Global (n.d.), a transition works in a paragraph like a thesis in a paper: it prepares readers for what comes next. The source also explained that transitions demonstrate relationships between paragraphs, leading to a more unified whole. The more unified readers feel a paper is, the more likely they will understand the content. This creation of unity makes transitions one of the most common writing tools. However, just because transitions are common does not mean they are simple.

The easiest method may seem the best with something as common as a transition. For example, writers can use “first,” “next,” and “finally” to begin each paragraph. However, if all writers use this structure, writing becomes formulaic, which can make readers lose interest. According to Deveci (2019), students use transitional words and phrases to begin sentences much more frequently than the authors of texts read in class. Although this study examined the beginnings of all sentences, not just topic sentences, the results indicate transitional words are not as frequently used in professional contexts. So, how can a writer spice up transitions without these words? They can think about the hook method.

The hook method is a way to attach, or “hook,” one paragraph to another using repeated words, phrases, and ideas. According to the Harvard College Writing Center (n.d.), information repeated between sentences makes clear, quick links between them. The principle of linking through repetition would apply to paragraphs as well. Linked paragraphs will likely create a smoother reading experience. The easier a paper is for the reader to follow, the more time they can spend engaged in the content.

The next question regards how the hook technique works in academic writing: what information should be repeated to make content more engaging? Kramer (2023) explained that because transitional sentences between paragraphs introduce information, not every transition method will suffice. She used the words “therefore” and “similarly” as examples: since those words need a direct connection to previous ideas, they do not give room to introduce new content. So, if the focus should not solely be on previous information, what should it be on? One likely candidate is the thesis statement.

The thesis statement holds a piece of writing together. It provides the author’s main point and reasons that support that point. One of the most effective ways to identify relationships between paragraphs is to decide what each one is trying to achieve (The Harvard College Writing Center, n.d.). If writers foreshadow their paragraph topics in the thesis statement, that step is complete. Then, the connections between those topics provide an automatic “hook” that can be used in transitions.

For example, consider hook transitions for a paper arguing more Americans should watch soccer. The thesis might be, “More Americans should watch soccer because it provides a link to sports culture worldwide, it is beautiful in its simplicity, and it inspires passion in players, coaches, fans, and commentators alike.” With this thesis, the body paragraphs would focus on global sports culture, simplicity, and passion, respectively. Below is shown an effective pair of transition sentences using the hook method, a less effective example, and an ineffective example.

Effective:  

Understanding global sports culture creates space for intercultural conversation; luckily, the simplicity of soccer rules facilitates the discussion further.

If one were to rank sports in terms of their simplicity, soccer would be high on the list, which creates a low entry barrier for new or casual fans.

• This transition creates multiple bonds between the two paragraphs. The end of the previous paragraph introduces simple rules, which means readers are already prepared to encounter that idea in the next paragraph. The introduction sentence repeats those ideas and reiterates the argument that more Americans should watch soccer by referencing the “low entry barrier.”

Less Effective:

This simplicity means that Americans should not be afraid of watching soccer due to a lack of knowledge of the rules.

Next, the passion inspired by soccer is a reason more Americans should watch the sport.

• This transition refers to the main ideas of the thesis, which ties the paper together. It also brings up the idea of new fans watching soccer in both sentences. However, the use of the word “next” to start a paragraph makes it feel disconnected because it signals a completely new point rather than a related one.

Ineffective:

Understanding global sports culture creates space for intercultural conversation, which helps create bonds between people of different backgrounds.

If one were to rank sports in terms of their simplicity, soccer would be high on the list, which creates a low barrier of entry for new or casual fans.

• Although this transition introduces the topic of the new paragraph, it does not connect the two paragraphs. This makes it more difficult for readers to follow the paper because they need to refocus from one topic to another.

When writers think about smoother transitions between paragraphs, the hook method could be the answer. By creating a more unique essay structure, writers ensure the audience’s interest will remain in the content. Hooking one paragraph to another will also help writers see the connections between their points, which could spark new ideas. These skills will transfer to any writing context, whether academic or professional. So, when writing could use a more organic flow, why not try the hook method?

References

Deveci, T. (2019). Sentence openers in academic writing: A comparison between seminar texts and students’ reflective writing papers. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 247–261. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=eric&AN=EJ1212073&authtype=shib&site=ehost-live 

Harvard College Writing Center (n.d.). Transitions. https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/transitions 

Kramer, L. (April 19, 2023). How to use transition sentences for smoother writing. Grammarly. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/transition-sentences/ 

Purdue University Global (n.d.). Topic sentence and paragraph organization. Purdue Global Campus. https://campus.purdueglobal.edu/article/topic-sentence-and-paragraph-organization