SAGE Flex for Public Speaking
1
Types of Transitions
Brief: There are many types of transitions to choose from that allow a speaker to bring his or
her unique voice and individual style to the speech delivery.
Learning Objective: Identify different types of transitions.
Key Terms:
• Segue: To move smoothly from one state or subject to another.
• Transitional phrase: A phrase that indicates when a speaker has finished one
thought and is moving onto another one.
Choosing Your Best Transitions
Transitions enable the flow of a speech. A speech without transitions will lack cohesiveness,
making it difficult for an audience to follow.
As you craft your speech, you will need to transition from one point to the next to fully articulate
your purpose or objectives. When read aloud, your speech should flow smoothly from
introduction to body, from main point to main point, and then finally into your conclusion.
Fortunately, there are many types of transitions that you will be able to choose from that allow
you to bring your unique voice and individual style to your speech delivery.
Types of Transitions
There are different types of transitional phrases often used in speeches, including:
• Temporal transitions: These are time-related words and phrases such as “before and
after,” “next,” and “finally.”
• Equality transitions: These highlight points of equal importance using words and
phrases such as “in addition” or “moreover.”
• Causality transitions: These show cause and effect using words such as “therefore”
and “because.”
• Compare and contrast: These show similarities and differences using words and
phrases such as “however” or “on the other hand.”
