众所周知，要写出清晰流畅的文章，需要把段落中各部分巧妙地连接在一起。这样可使文章自然而别致，并能层层展开主题句，完整地表达中心思想。
起连贯作用的过渡词语可以用来连接段落中的各个句子，也可以用来连接文章中的各个段落。下面是在段落中连接句子的例子（段中黑体字为过渡词）
To many foreigners, the American word family is confusing. Foreigners often hear an American say "My family is coming to visit." In this sentence, family means grandparents and perhaps other relatives. However, at other times, the same American might say, "I'm going to stay home with my family this weekend." In this case, he is talking about his wife and children. This is a much narrower meaning than the first one. Using family in this way makes a foreigner wonder which term really describes an American family. The answer, of course, is that there are two meanings for the word family in the United States -- a narrow one and a broad one. And there is another term ---- immediate family ----- to describe something in between.
这一段中出现的过渡手法有两种：一种是过渡词或词组，如however, in this case, of course； 另一种是起过渡作用的代词，如this, one.
段与段之间也可以用过渡词连接，比如but可以连接两个为转折关系的段落．
2. 过渡词语的分类 常用的过渡词根据意思和作用的不同，可以分为以下十一类：
1) 用以解释的过渡词，比如：now, in addition, for, in this case, furthermore, in fact
1. The problem, in this case, is hard to solve.
2. Furthermore, several people telephoned the same night.
2) 表示强调的过渡词，如：certainly, indeed, above all, surely, most important
1. Indeed, a dessert is always enjoyable.
2. Above all, do not build an open fire in a forest.
3) 表示限制的过渡词but, however, although, though, yet, except for
1. Yet there was still a chance that he would win.
2. Except for one girl, all the hikers returned.
4) 用以举例的过渡词for example, for instance, thus, such, next
1. For instance, a telegram often costs more than a telephone call.
2. Thus the trip finally began.
5) 表示递进或补充的过渡词in addition，furthermore，also，moreover，yet
1. In addition, the tour stops in Vancouver.
2. Furthermore, the time for registration has been extended.
6) 表达顺序的过渡词first, second, third, afterward(s)（后来）, meanwhile（几乎同时）,
thereafter（在那以后）, last, finally, eventually（终于）
1. First, you mail in an application. Second, you ask for an appointment. Third, you send
them three personal references.
2. Then you come to a traffic light and turn right.
7) 用以表示比较的过渡词like, in the same way, similarly, equally important, too
1. In the same way, we look for a good doctor.
2. Similarly, the Thais enjoy spicy foods.
8) 用以表示对比的过渡词unlike, in contrast, whereas, on the other hand, instead
1. In contrast, the red fluid does not lose its color.
2. The husband wanted a boy, whereas the wife wanted a girl.
9) 表示让步的过渡词although, nevertheless, of curse, after all, clearly, still, yet
1. He planned, nevertheless, to ask for a promotion.
2. After all, you learn to cook many foods in this job.
10) 用以表述结果的过渡词therefore, as a result, consequently,
then，thereby，therefore，thus，hence，accordingly, so, otherwise
1. As a result, she became the prince's bride.
2. Consequently, we opened an account at the bank.
11) 用以表示总结的过渡词to sum up, finally, in conclusion, at last, in short，in a word，in the long run，in summary
1. To sum up, Christmas is the most important holiday.
2. In conclusion, a consulate offers more services.
上文已经讲过，除了过渡词或词组之外，起过渡作用的还有代词、同义词、连接词和词的重复等。下面分别举例说明。
1. 起过渡作用的代词
例：He asked what that meant.
We watched the hikers. They climbed slowly.
以上两句中的深蓝体字分别起句内和句间的过渡作用。
起过渡作用的代词在下面例子中的作用很大，没有它，这段文字就不能成立。
It is the most talked-of subject in town. Every family in the community discusses It half a dozen times a day. You mentioned It to at least one of your friends before you came into the room today. You think about It at least once during every class. Its passage is steady. It touched everyone. What isIt? It is Time.
2. 起过渡作用的同义词
同义词用得好，不仅有助于文章的连贯，也增加了文采。例如下文：
Community colleges are like the two-year colleges called junior colleges, or "j.c.'s". Both schools prepare students for four-year colleges. J.c.'s offer all the courses most four-year colleges ask their freshmen and sophomores to take. Community colleges also give such required courses. But community colleges are also like other institutions called trade schools. Both schools offer technical training. Trade schools give courses in such areas as carpentry, nursing, television repairing, or photography. Community colleges have complete technical courses for students who do not plan to go on to a university.
3． 重复词起过渡作用
词的重复是常用的连接手法，它可强调你所要表达的意思。按方式，还可进一步分为绝对重复和相对重复。
Gulls, as they soar, are not always searching for food but merely having fun on the wing. A gull flying along the shore is taking advantages of wind current formed when the sea air strikes the warm land and rises. Gulls also love the lower, weaker air currents that form about three feet above the waves. They ride them for hours, tipping from one current to the next. Most people think that gulls ride behind boats for the food. But garbage is only a small part of what they eat. Clams and fish make up most of their diet. The sea gulls follow boats for the tide on the thermal currents the ships create at sea.
上面文章中的黑体字就是通过重复来起承上启下的作用，与同义词类似。
4. 平行结构起承上启下的作用
My mother has passed along to me certain rules for getting along with others. Don't argue with parents; they will think you don't love them. Don't argue with children; they will think themselves victimized. Don't argue with spouses; they will think you are a tiresome mate. Don't argue with strangers; they will think you are not friendly. My mother's rules, in fact, can be summed up in two words. Don't argue.
文中的don't argue反复出现，形成平行结构，有助于段落的流畅和连贯。
