From 4785ba67f56e6355596be333c36f15dfc14b3f5f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: teahubxyz Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:36:26 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] skills: vendor marketingskills/copywriting/references/natural-transitions.md (coreyhaines31/marketingskills, MIT) Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5.1 Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01H4upF5LVwmPDDqrhdUfnXh --- .../references/natural-transitions.md | 256 ++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 256 insertions(+) create mode 100644 .agents/skills/copywriting/references/natural-transitions.md diff --git a/.agents/skills/copywriting/references/natural-transitions.md b/.agents/skills/copywriting/references/natural-transitions.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5fba31a --- /dev/null +++ b/.agents/skills/copywriting/references/natural-transitions.md @@ -0,0 +1,256 @@ +# Natural Transitions + +Transitional phrases to guide readers through your content. Good signposting improves readability, user engagement, and helps search engines understand content structure. + +Adapted from: University of Manchester Academic Phrasebank (2023), Plain English Campaign, web content best practices + +--- + +## Contents +- Previewing Content Structure +- Introducing a New Topic +- Referring Back +- Moving Between Sections +- Indicating Addition +- Indicating Contrast +- Indicating Similarity +- Indicating Cause and Effect +- Giving Examples +- Emphasising Key Points +- Providing Evidence (neutral attribution, expert quotes, supporting claims) +- Summarising Sections +- Concluding Content +- Question-Based Transitions +- List Introductions +- Hedging Language +- Best Practice Guidelines +- Transitions to Avoid (AI Tells) + +## Previewing Content Structure + +Use in long guides to orient readers. On marketing pages, start with the content instead. + +- Here's what we'll cover... +- This guide walks you through... +- Below, you'll find... +- We'll start with X, then move to Y... +- First, let's look at... +- The sections below explain... + +--- + +## Introducing a New Topic + +- Regarding X,... +- Speaking of X,... +- Now let's talk about X. +- Another key factor is... +- X is worth exploring because... + +--- + +## Referring Back + +Use to connect ideas and reinforce key points: + +- As mentioned earlier,... +- As we covered above,... +- Remember when we discussed X? +- Building on that point,... +- Going back to X,... +- Earlier, we explained that... + +--- + +## Moving Between Sections + +- Now let's look at... +- Next up:... +- Moving on to... +- With that covered, let's turn to... +- Now that you understand X, here's Y. +- That brings us to... + +--- + +## Indicating Addition + +- Also,... +- Plus,... +- On top of that,... +- What's more,... +- Another benefit is... +- Beyond that,... +- In addition,... +- There's also... + +**Note:** Avoid "moreover" and "furthermore" in marketing copy. They read as AI-generated. + +--- + +## Indicating Contrast + +- However,... +- But,... +- That said,... +- On the flip side,... +- In contrast,... +- Unlike X, Y... +- While X is true, Y... +- Despite this,... + +--- + +## Indicating Similarity + +- Similarly,... +- Likewise,... +- In the same way,... +- Just like X, Y also... +- This mirrors... +- The same applies to... + +--- + +## Indicating Cause and Effect + +- So,... +- This means... +- As a result,... +- That's why... +- Because of this,... +- This leads to... + +--- + +## Giving Examples + +- For example,... +- For instance,... +- Here's an example:... +- Take X, for instance. +- Consider this:... +- A good example is... +- To illustrate,... +- Like when... +- Say you want to... + +--- + +## Emphasising Key Points + +- Here's the key takeaway:... +- The important thing is... +- What matters most is... +- Pay attention to... + +--- + +## Providing Evidence + +Use when citing sources, data, or expert opinions: + +### Neutral attribution +- According to [Source],... +- [Source] reports that... +- Research shows that... +- Data from [Source] indicates... +- A study by [Source] found... + +### Expert quotes +- As [Expert] puts it,... +- [Expert] explains,... +- In the words of [Expert],... +- [Expert] notes that... + +### Supporting claims +- This is backed by... +- Evidence suggests... +- The numbers confirm... +- This aligns with findings from... + +--- + +## Summarising Sections + +- To recap,... +- In short,... +- Quick summary:... + +--- + +## Concluding Content + +- Wrapping up,... +- The bottom line is... +- Here's what to do next:... +- To sum up,... +- Final thoughts:... +- Ready to get started?... +- Now it's your turn. + +**Note:** Avoid "In conclusion" at the start of a paragraph. It's overused and signals AI writing. + +--- + +## Question-Based Transitions + +Useful in long-form content for conversational tone and featured snippet optimization. Use them as headings or questions the reader would really ask, then answer with substance. Don't use them as a setup for your own punchline, and keep them out of landing-page copy (see [ai-tells.md](ai-tells.md)). + +- So what does this mean for you? +- How do you actually do this? +- Wondering where to start? + +--- + +## List Introductions + +For numbered lists and step-by-step content: + +- Here's how to do it: +- Follow these steps: +- The process is straightforward: +- Here's what you need to know: +- Key things to consider: +- The main factors are: + +--- + +## Hedging Language + +For claims that need qualification or aren't absolute: + +- may, might, could +- tends to, generally +- often, usually, typically +- in most cases +- it appears that +- evidence suggests +- this can help + +--- + +## Best Practice Guidelines + +1. **Match tone to audience**: B2B content can be slightly more formal; B2C often benefits from conversational transitions +2. **Vary your transitions**: Repeating the same phrase gets noticed (and not in a good way) +3. **Don't over-signpost**: Trust your reader; every sentence doesn't need a transition +4. **Use for scannability**: Transitions at paragraph starts help skimmers navigate +5. **Keep it natural**: Read aloud; if it sounds forced, simplify +6. **Front-load key info**: Put the important word or phrase early in the transition + +--- + +## Transitions to Avoid (AI Tells) + +These phrases are overused in AI-generated content: + +- "That being said,..." +- "It's worth noting that..." +- "At its core,..." +- "In today's digital landscape,..." +- "When it comes to the realm of..." +- "This begs the question..." +- "Let's delve into..." + +See [ai-tells.md](ai-tells.md) for the full copy blacklist, including structural patterns like contrast reveals and negation lists.