Use transitional words to connect ideas and improve flow. Eliminating wordiness and using direct wording will make your  writing clear and direct. But removing all non-essential words can result in documents that can read like telegrams. To avoid an abrupt style or a series of disconnected sentences, use transitions to connect ideas and improve flow.

As you review the following example note how the transitional words guide the reader:

I read your agenda for Friday's meeting. You've included everything we need to discuss; however, I'd like to break down several all-inclusive items into separate subjects. For example, use "I" and "customer relations" instead of just "public relations." In the same way, use "press releases" and "sales letters" instead of just "written communication." Then we will be able to deal with specific items separately.

The readability of business documents often depends upon your ability to indicate the relationship of ideas. Use transitions precisely to show the logical relationship between ideas.

To show addition, use:
     and, moreover, furthermore, in addition, also, again

To show cause/effect, justification, use:
     because, since, as, so

To show contrast, use:
     but, on the other hand, however, yet, nevertheless

To show emphasis, use:
     in fact, indeed, certainly

To introduce an example, use:
     for example, for instance, that is

To introduce a result, use:
     thus, therefore, consequently, hence, then

To show similarity, use:
     likewise, in the same way, similarly