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Bridge Sentences — Types and Examples

Defining Bridge Sentences

1. the purpose of bridging paragraphs.

2. Types of Transitions

Sequential Transitions – Bridge sentences with sequential transitions that demonstrate a logical flow of ideas in a write-up. For example, words such as ‘thus’, ‘therefore’, and ‘then’ show a relationship between the past and the current point being discussed.
Comparative Transitions – This type of transitional words and phrases can come in handy, especially when the relationship between two ideas isn’t so obvious. These words serve as an effective instrument in drawing analogies that are difficult to comprehend at first. Examples of such include words and phrases like ‘also’, ‘just as’, ‘like’, and ‘similarly’.
Contrastive Transitions – For instances when you’re neither looking at similarities nor describing relationships but instead focusing on contrasting qualities, these transitions can be extremely useful. Not only can these transitions help emphasize central ideas in a compare-and-contrast essay, but they can also help debunk a claim or point out the opposite side of an issue. Examples that fall under this category include ‘though’, ‘but’, ‘however’, ‘nevertheless’, ‘nonetheless’, ‘then again’, ‘on the other hand’, and ‘at the same time’. You may also see Short Sentence Example .
Summing Up Transitions – After proving your point, you’d want to throw in that one last thought, to sum up, every important detail provided. To ensure that readers don’t miss the main idea of your paragraph or article, these transitional sentences can help in introducing your final thought in a quick yet appropriate manner. Transitional words in this category include ‘essentially’, ‘basically’, ‘ultimately’, ‘in short’, and ‘in other words’.

3. Examples of Bridge Sentences

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Home ➔ Essay Structure ➔ Body Paragraphs ➔ Topic Sentence ➔ What is a bridge sentence in an essay?

What is a bridge sentence in an essay?

A bridge in an essay is a tool that helps the author to connect ideas and to transition smoothly from one point to another. It can be used to clarify a point that has been made, to introduce a new idea, or to sum up the main points of the essay. A well-written bridge can help keep the reader’s attention focused on the essay and make the writing style more fluid.

Let’s refresh our memory a bit regarding the essay structure :

The first section is the introductory paragraph , in which you present your thesis statement or main argument. The body paragraphs are where you develop your argument, and each body paragraph should focus on a single point. The conclusion is where you wrap up your essay, and it should rephrase your thesis statement.

A bridge sentence —also known as a bridge statement—is a type of topic sentence typically found and used at the start of a body paragraph. The key functions of this transition sentence are to show the direction of the paragraph’s main idea and how it is related to the previous paragraph.

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing a bridge sentence:

Bridge sentence types and examples

Among bridge sentences, three main types are usually used: a classic bridge sentence, a question-answer bridge, and a complication bridge. They all have three things in common:

These three things are the main elements of most bridge sentences.

Now let’s look at each type’s examples to see the common points and the differences. First, we will present the last sentence of a previous paragraph and then a color-coded bridge of each type.

Let’s consider this as the last sentence of our previous paragraph of an essay that discusses various printers:

The inkjet printer is the most popular type of printer for home use. It is less expensive than a laser printer and produces good-quality prints.

Here’s an example of a classic bridge sentence:

This advantage makes an inkjet printer one of the best choices for home offices. But besides reasonable prices and printing quality , it is also worth mentioning how easy it is to use inkjet printers .

We start by pointing to the previous passage (this advantage) and then introduce the topic for a new paragraph (how easy it is to use).

Here’s an example of a question-answer bridge:

But does this price and quality advantage make inkjet printers the best choice? Surely not, because laser printers would not be on the market in such a case. When comparing the two, inkjet printers lose in terms of printing speed and ink usage .

This example has a question that serves as the “pointer” to the previous paragraph. And the answer to this question introduces the main point of the current paragraph.

And here’s an example of a complication bridge:

Such an advantage of inkjet printers might be decisive for many; however, inkjet printers are not as fast as laser printers, and they use more ink .

As you can see, the example above has a “pointer” word (such) that refers to the previous paragraph. It has a transition word (however) that signals to the reader that it is not that simple. Then, it also provides a reference to the previous paragraph (the inkjet printer’s better price advantage), and it states the main point of the current paragraph (laser printers are faster and more economical).

Ways of making logical connections and transitions

There are many ways in which you can connect two ideas. It depends on the essay types : whether you are comparing, arguing, classifying things, etc. Let’s take a look at some schematic examples:

Transitional keywords to use

Words that can help you introduce the next paragraph are called “transitional keywords.” Here is a list of some common transitional keywords:

Key takeaways

Now that you know what a bridge sentence is and how to use it, try incorporating it into your next essay!

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how to write a bridge in an essay example

Home » Writers-House Blog » English Homework: Bridge Statements

English Homework: Bridge Statements

Writers use bridge sentences, or bridge statements, to connect ideas and to create a smooth transition between them. To make an essay easy to read, you need to connect your ideas, ensuring a smooth flow. Bridge sentences can be used instead of topic sentences at the beginning of a paragraph to explain how previous ideas relate to the new idea that you’re going to introduce in the next paragraph. Learn more about bridge statements with WritersHouse expert opinion.

How to Use Bridge Statements

A bridge statement in the introductory paragraph is especially important because it sets the context for your readers. Usually, the opening statement acts as a hook that grabs attention and makes your audience want to read more. A bridge statement follows the hook, explaining why the opening is relevant to your thesis statement. The last sentence of the introduction must contain the thesis statement, explaining what your readers should expect from the rest of the paper.

Paragraph Bridges

You can start each paragraph with a topic sentence, or you can use a bridge to create a smooth transition to the next paragraph. It is also called a transition sentence or transition idea. Usually, it focuses on the previous point and leads readers to the next point, connecting them logically. Your goal is to make a seamless transition so that your essay will look natural and be easy to read. Bridge sentences help connect different concepts so that you can make sure that your essay makes sense.

The Purpose of Bridge Sentences

Bridge sentences are similar to topic sentences because they perform the same functions in the essay structure. They help readers remember what the writer has mentioned before, connecting this information to the new facts and ideas that will come up next. Simply put, these sentences help explain how different topics relate to each other. Bridge sentences can be used in different essays. For example, expository essays are one of the most common types of writing assignments that are aimed to inform readers or to explain a certain topic based on facts. Argumentative or persuasive essays should convince the audience to agree with the author’s opinion by addressing different perspectives and refuting the opposite opinion. Quite often, writers do it in a bridge statement. When writing an expository essay, your bridge statement may simply add some new information to what you have already presented. In persuasive essays, bridge statements can address a counterargument.

Transitional Keywords

Various transitional words can help you indicate the relationship between different ideas. For example, such words as “accordingly,” “therefore,” and “consequently” illustrate a cause-effect relationship. “Similarly,” “in addition,” and “furthermore” can help you expand your idea, while “nevertheless,” “although,” and “whereas” can establish a contrast.

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Hooking Things Together With Bridges

essaypop bridge 0

“In the moment of crises, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams.” – Nigerian Proverb

Mini bridges to introduce research details.

Bridges are like the glue that connects everything in the essay together. Bridges create order and cohesion and allow phrases and ideas to transition together. Without bridges, your writing would feel stiff and awkward. Bridges are often very short; some are just a brief phrase; some are a single word.

In the short response, there are two types of bridges: The first is the simple bridge phrase that connects the thesis statement to the first research detail and, thereafter, research details to accompanying interpretations . Sentence starters that provide these bridge phrases are available via the pull-down curtains located in the bottom-left of each writing frame. Bridge phrases such as, “Consider the following” and “According to” allow writers to smoothly transition into their quotes, facts, and other evidence. Without them, research details land gracelessly and awkwardly onto the paper. Not pretty.

Introducing such information without a bridge would make this information seem abruptly placed and would disrupt the flow of the essay. A basic short response with just one research detail will just have this one transitional bridge. Keep in mind that you don’t need to add a new bridge writing frame in this circumstance because, again, you access it for the research detail frame.

Including additional Bridges

Responses that feature more than one research detail or interpretation usually require another short bridge. In this case, you may want to add a new bridge writing frame using the action icon. Again, without some transition, the flow of the paper will be compromised and the new information will seem awkwardly placed.

One option the writer has in this situation is to simply begin with a research detail sentence starter, using the pull-down described earlier. Just choose a starter that you like and then proceed with the new evidence or commentary. In this case, adding the extra bridge writing frame is not necessary.

If, however, you wish to include a more extensive bridge, you can do so by clicking on the action icon and adding a bridge. This will cause a bridge writing frame to appear and you can write as much as you would like in the box (although we recommend that you keep your bridges to one or two sentences).

Keep in mind that if you feel the need to add more than two or three additional bridges, then you are probably going to want to add a paragraph break or two. Again, this is easily done by adding a paragraph break available in the action icon. What’s ironic is that your “short response” can quickly grow to 750 to 1,000 if you have a lot to say. If you do begin a new paragraph, adding a quick bridge is a great way to start the transition.

Also, keep in mind that if you feel you are moving away from short response territory and moving into writing a more complicated paper, want to consider creating a multiple-paragraph essay instead of a short response.

Bridge Models

These first models feature a short transitional bridge located just after the thesis statement and just before the research detail. The bridges These bridges are shown in context and are in bold underlined text. Keep in mind that these bridges do not require you to open a separate bridge writing frame because they are selected from the sentence starters that are accessed from the research detail writing frame.

Type of essay: short response / response to literature The prompt: In Denise Levertov’s poem, “Moon Tiger”, what is the moon tiger really? Use textual evidence to justify your answer.

…In her poem, “Moon Tiger”, Denise Levertov provides the reader with some very interesting clues as to the true and literal identity of the work’s creeping tiger. Consider the following lines from the poem : “Look. Its white stripes/ In the light that slid/Through the jalousies”. Levertov is inviting us to…

The transitional bridge, “Consider the following lines from the poem” is taken directly from the sentence starter menu located in the pulldown menu of the research detail writing frame.

Type of essay: Expository / Argument The prompt: We just read the Atlantic Monthly article, “How Two Common Medications Became One $455 Million Specialty Pill” by Marshall Allen. In a 300-500 word short essay, discuss whether you believe the Horizon Pharmaceutical Company is justified in selling the drug Vimovo at the price that they do.

…Marshall Allen’s Atlantic monthly article, “How Two Common Medications Became One $455 Million Specialty Pill” brings up two fairly balanced perspectives regarding the cost of their drug, Vimovo. After careful consideration, however, it seems clear that there is no way to justify this company charging such exorbitant prices for this drug . According to this journalist , It seems that Horizon simply takes two very common medications, a pain reliever, and a stomach-upset medicine, and combines them into one pill, because pain relievers cause some people stomach discomfort. Not a bad idea I guess, but at what cost? “Of course I did the math”, says the Allen. “You can walk into your local drugstore and buy a month’s supply of Aleve and Nexium for about $40. For Vimovo, the pharmacy billed my insurance company $3,252.” This is a staggering markup in price. And what’s worse is…

Type of essay: Expository / Argument / Short Response The prompt: We just read the Atlantic Monthly article, “How Two Common Medications Became One $455 Million Specialty Pill” by Marshall Allen. In a 300-500 word short essay, discuss whether you believe the Horizon Pharmaceutical Company is justified in selling the drug Vimovo at the price that they do.

…$455 Million Specialty Pill” brings up two fairly balanced perspectives regarding the cost of their drug, Vimovo. After careful consideration, however, it seems clear that there is no way to justify this company charging such exorbitant prices for this drug. According to this journalist, it seems that Horizon simply takes two very common medications, a pain reliever and a stomach-upset medicine, and combines them into one pill, because pain relievers cause some people stomach discomfort. Not a bad idea I guess, but at what cost? “Of course I did the math”, says the Allen. “You can walk into your local drugstore and buy a month’s supply of Aleve and Nexium for about $40. For Vimovo, the pharmacy billed my insurance company $3,252.” This is a staggering markup in price. And what’s worse is they seem to be getting away with it. Vimovo, according to Allen, has netted the company $455 million since 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down. They seem to be able to get away with this with a series of sales tricks and backroom deals with insurance companies that the doctors and patients prescribing and using the drugs are seldom aware of. And they don’t stop there.

Based on Allen’s research, Vimovo isn’t Horizon’s only such drug. It has brought in an additional $465 million in net sales from Duexis , a similar convenience drug that combines ibuprofen and famotidine, aka Advil and Pepcid. So, they’ve taken a successful…

This is an augmented version of model 2. Two research details are included and both are bridged into with phrases taken from the research-detail-writing-frame sentence starter menu in the respective research writing frames. Here they are both underlined and in bold. The writer chose to indent the second transitional bridge as it is a somewhat new thought.

Adding an Additional Bridge

Sometimes transitions between essay elements require a bit more context and elaboration than a sentence starter allows for. When this is the case, it is sometimes advisable to add a new and distinct bridge. This is easily done using the action icon. The following models feature more elaborate bridges. For ease of identification, these added bridges are highlighted in darker blue .

Type of essay: expository/ argument The prompt: Based on the documents we reviewed in class today that assign blame for the Titanic tragedy to several different individuals, who, in your opinion, is most responsible for the sinking of the RMS Titanic and the deaths of over 1,500 passengers?

…Certainly, many people played a role in the tragedy, but one person seems more culpable than all the others. Based on the documents we have reviewed, it seems clear that Captain Edward J. Smith is the individual most responsible for the sinking of the Titanic and the deaths of all of those unfortunate passengers. Robert Ballard, who is considered one the most-renowned Titanic experts confirms this in his research. Consider the following evidence taken from Ballard’s “Exploring the Titanic”: “In all Captain Smith received seven ice warnings the afternoon and evening of the disaster. Of those, only 3 were posted for anyone to see.” (367) Ignoring this many ice warnings just seems like a recipe for disaster. To use a car/driver analogy, this would be like…

This bridge begins by providing some important contextual information about Robert Ballard; it is important that we know why Mr. Ballard is worthy of listening to. The bridge then transitions to the sentence starter, “Consider the following evidence…”. Together, these create a smooth transition into the research detail.

Type of essay: research/expository The prompt: Are rattlesnakes a bane or a benefit to mankind? Respond in a structured, evidence-based short constructed response that is 300-350 words in length.

… According to the Queensland Department of Environment, “The feeding habits of rattlesnakes act as a natural form of pest control. Snakes are predators and feed on a variety of creatures. Small snakes feed on many harmful bugs and insects. Larger ones eat mice, rats, and other small mammals that can destroy crops or damage personal property.” (Dept. of Environment) It is clear that if we were to eliminate rattlesnakes from our environment to make ourselves “safe”, we would inadvertently and ironically create the opposite effect. An increase in insects and rodents would most certainly lead to such adverse effects as bites, feces in food supplies and the diseases that accompany these conditions. So as you can see, these creatures do have some beneficial qualities Recent research by other scientists supports this idea. In fact, “New research by a team of University of Maryland biologists shows the timber rattlesnake indirectly benefits humankind by keeping Lyme disease in check.” (Kabay) Lyme disease is a very deadly illness that can…

The first transitional bridge beginning with the phrase, “According to…”, comes directly from the research detail sentence starter menu. The second bridge, highlighted in darker blue , sets up the next research detail. Since it is a bit longer, the writer added a bridge writing frame to the mix using the action icon. This bridge allows the next research detail and subsequent interpretation to flow smoothly within the paper. The sentence starter, “In fact”, is used here as well.

Type of Essay: response to literature The prompt: In a multiple-paragraph composition analyze and compare the recurring theme about the nature of love that can be found in William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” and Rodgers and Hart’s jazz classic, “My Funny Valentine”.

…What if instead of being sarcasm or even a celebration of a lover’s “perfect imperfections”, these words were literal descriptions of loved ones who are ill and at the end of their days? As an illustration of this, take these lines from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130: “I have seen roses damasked, red and white/But no such roses see I in her cheeks;/And in some perfumes is there more delight/Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks”. One could easily read these words as sarcastic jesting or a loving acknowledgment of a few physical flaws. One the other hand, they can also be construed as true depictions of illness and age. The cheeks lose their color because of some sickness and the breath becomes malodorous due to internal disease. Meanwhile, the speaker can only observe helplessly as his lover slowly fades away. Rodgers and Hart seem to be on the same page as the bard, and we see this dark possibility again in “My Funny Valentine” when the singer mournfully asks, “Is your figure less than Greek?/Is your mouth a little weak?/ When you open it to speak, are you smart?” Again, these rhetorical questions could easily be…

The first transitional bridge beginning with the phrase, “As an illustration of this…”, comes directly from the research detail sentence starter menu. The second bridge, highlighted in darker blue , sets up the next research detail. Since it is a bit longer, the writer added a bridge writing frame to the mix using the action icon. This bridge allows the next research detail and subsequent interpretation to flow smoothly within the paper.

Style Guide

What is a Short Response Essay?

Closer – Let’s Land This Thing!

Mastering the Short Response Hook

Legal Writing Tip: Bridge Your Paragraphs

To achieve fluency, include in the first—usually topic—sentence of each paragraph (starting with the second in each section) what legal writing expert Bryan Garner calls a “bridging word or phrase”—that is, a transition that directly and explicitly links to what has been said in the preceding paragraph.

When you link your paragraphs, you take the reader by the hand and keep him oriented. Since losing him is a very good way to lose your argument, including a transitional word or phrase (or “signpost”) in the first sentence of a paragraph is as important as making sure that the first sentence announces the topic or subject of the paragraph—if not more so. As the literary critic and Romantic Period poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge once said, “A close reasoner and a good writer in general may be known by his pertinent use of connectives.”

Garner has identified three options for building a bridge between a new paragraph and the one before it:

Here’s an example where the bridge (identified in bold) is an explicit connector, from Garner’s The Elements of Legal Style (2d ed.):

Here’s more or less the same passage, but this time the transition is made using a pointing word and an echo link:

Shortly after his death, an article in the Atlantic Monthly said that Taney was disposed ‘to serve the cause of evil.’ …

This unflattering picture of Taney persisted for many years. Now it is clear that the judgment of his detractors will not prevail….

“This” is a pointing word, and “unflattering picture of Taney” is an echo link, or notional reference, to “article in the Atlantic Monthly [saying that] Taney was disposed ‘to serve the cause of evil.’”

Sophisticated writers use all three options for building bridges:

Shortly after his death, an article in the Atlantic Monthly said that Taney was disposed ‘to serve the cause of evil.’ …

Though this unflattering picture of Taney persisted for many years, it is now clear that the judgment of his detractors will not prevail….

“Though” is an explicit connector.

Garner tells writers to read over their work and make sure that the last and first sentences of successive paragraphs are smoothly joined. If they aren’t, part of the argument has probably been left out.

Building bridges between paragraphs forces writers to “figure out how [their] sentences and thoughts relate to one another,” legal writing consultant Ross Guberman notes in Point Made (2d ed.). Says Guberman, “By filling in those missing links, you’ll make your writing flow.”

About the author:

Attorney Savannah Blackwell is a former news reporter who covered government and politics for more than a decade, mostly in San Francisco. She can be reached at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter at @SavannahBinSF

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COMMENTS

Bridge Sentences
Sequential Transitions – Bridge sentences with sequential transitions that demonstrate a logical flow of ideas in a write-up. For example, words such as 'thus'
Bridge Sentences
The key to constructing good bridges is briefly repeating what you just ... example.” Instead, indicate that matters are becoming more interesting or
Bridge Sentences
Bridge Sentences. A bridge sentence is a special kind of topic sentence. ... Each example uses a pointing word such as “this,” “that,”.
Bridge Sentence ⇒ Definition, Types, and Examples
What is a bridge sentence in an essay? · Make sure the bridge is relevant to the two ideas or concepts you are connecting. · Keep the bridge brief and to the
Essay Introduction Examples
The bridge is the transition between the hook and the thesis statement. It can be written in different ways depending on what type of essay is
Essay Writing
See the full course at http://crwnow.comTranscript: The first paragraph in your essay is the introduction. After you write your introductory
English Homework: Bridge Statements
For example, such words as “accordingly,” “therefore,” and “consequently” illustrate a cause-effect relationship. “Similarly,” “in addition,” and “furthermore”
Untitled
Bridge Thesis statement. An attention grabbing strategy that engages the reader. You will typically find it in the first few sentences of the text.
Hooking Things Together With Bridges
Sentence starters that provide these bridge phrases are available via the pull-down curtains located in the bottom-left of each writing frame. Bridge phrases
Legal Writing Tip: Bridge Your Paragraphs
To achieve fluency, include in the first—usually topic—sentence of each paragraph (starting with the second in each section) what legal writing