Effective Transitions and Segues 

What Are Transitions?

Transitions are words, phrases, or sentences that:

• Link one idea to the next

• Show contrast or comparison

• Indicate cause and effect

• Clarify time or sequence

• Signal a conclusion or summary

They are like road signs for your speech—helping your audience stay on track.

🧵 What Are Segues?

Segues are slightly broader. They often involve a sentence or short idea that smoothly shifts the audience’s attention from one section of your speech to the next. A good segue feels natural and connected—it doesn’t come out of nowhere.

🛠️ Types of Transitions and Examples

                    Purpose                                                                               Example Phrases

Add or continue                                    “In addition to that…”

Another important point is…”

Show contrast“                      On the other hand…”

“However, it’s important to consider…”

Show cause/effect “As a result…”

“Because of this…”

Give examples “For instance…”

“Let me illustrate this with…”

Sequence or time “First… then… finally…”

“Let’s now move to…”

Summarize or conclude (avoid "in conclusion) “Let me leave you with this final thought…”

“All of this brings us to one key takeaway…”

“So, what does this all mean?”

“All of this leads to…”

🎯 Tips for Effective Transitions and Segues

1. Use a transitional phrase + a brief recap + preview of next point
   “Now that we’ve looked at the causes of climate change, let’s explore some possible solutions.”
   
   

2. Connect the end of one point to the beginning of the next
   “So, we know that poor time management can lead to stress. But what can we do about it? Let’s look at three simple strategies.”
   
   

3. Use rhetorical questions as segues
   “But what does this mean for us? Let’s dig into the implications.”
   
   

4. Maintain flow and tone – Avoid robotic or overly formal shifts. Keep it conversational when appropriate.