But and Because

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Should sentences be started with the word But (instead of however) or Because
Opinions?

[brenden]

I would never do it. It feels unnatural to me, for the way I see the words, that is not their purpose. I wouldn't start a sentence with "and" because the purpose of the word is just subverted when you use it after a period. Same with the words above.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Should transition words (in addition, furthermore etc) be used to start paragraphs?
Does it show sophistication?

[brenden]

Should transition words (in addition, furthermore etc) be used to start paragraphs?
Does it show sophistication?

I'll address the second question first and say I think that nothing is inherently sophisticated. Like, using furthermore doesn't mean you're writing with sophistication... It just means that furthermore is in your vocabulary. I guess I see sophistication holistically (as the examiners should be looking at it)... A terrible essay that has 'juxtaposition' in it doesn't become a sophisticated essay because of the word. Sophistication shows sophistication. I'm talking about a variance in sentence length, great expression and articulation that leaves the reader with no questions, unhindered flow etc. Not a good word here or there.

Would I personally use those words at the beginning of a paragraph? No, I don't like it. I think Lollymatron would disagree - she said to me earlier she uses conjunctions at the start of paragraphs to improve the flow of her essay. I had a personalised way of writing topic sentences that I really liked, and they never included any conjunctions or transition words at the beginning. Reading an essay, I would also dislike seeing them used at the beginning of a paragraph - still a matter of preference! It wouldn't make a 10/10 less likely (if I were the one marking the paper), because as aforementioned, one thing doesn't automatically make the essay good or bad, they should be viewed holistically.
So,
Can they be used? If that's your inclination.
Should they as a strategy to demonstrate great English skills? Not as a matter of course.


Edit: I lied, I sometimes used 'however' as a starter for my third paragraph. Again, preference.

[Lolly]

 Yes, I was just discussing this with Brenden.

I always use conjunctions at the start of paragraphs.

Furthermore, thus, hence, however, yet, conversely, moreover, in contrast. etc.

I find it helps flow and suggests the relationship between your arguments.

Again though, it's what you feel works best for you which should matter.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Is it good to allude to the next paragraph towards the end of the one before?

[brenden]

I never did so I can't tell you the benefits of it. I don't teach that way. From ten seconds of thinking I wouldn't recommend it because your paragraph already has an overarching subject that should be the idea(s) (closely related) of that paragraph, and alluding to the next one as a strict rule could generate sentences that were not on the topic of your current idea and slightly ruin the flow of your current paragraph. Just my take after some brief consideration. Happy to be disagreed with.

[Lolly]

Don't worry too much about trying to do this on purpose. Just summarise the argument towards the end of your paragraph and try to link your next contention to the one before. It helps if you're following the natural pattern of your thoughts throughout your essay anyway. That way your topic sentences will easily slot in after each other.

[Eriny]

Is it good to allude to the next paragraph towards the end of the one before?

IMO, it's better to link the first sentence of a paragraph to your previous paragraph, either by using a conjunction or repeating a key word or both.

[werdna]

I didn't usually use a linking word to start paragraphs, but definitely used them in between examples and as an exception, 'However' or 'Yet' for the last para.

[abeybaby]

I liked to start my paragraphs with words that offered alternate viewpoints, such as 'whilst Macbeth...', 'although JD Salinger...', 'In contrast to Orwell's 1984, JD Salinger's...' I felt that gave me a good standing to show some extra depth to the topic by exploring lots of possible responses

[watto_22]

Should sentences be started with the word But (instead of however) or Because
Opinions?

Back to the original question...
surely a sentence such as 'Because I was hungry, I went to the fridge' is perfectly fine.
However, I don't think 'but' is really suitable to start a sentence in your essays, nor is it always able to directly replace 'however'