Ordering ideas: first, then, next, after that, finally, in conclusion
Sequence word + comma + sentence
Same structure with negation
What happens first/next/then?
💡 Usually followed by comma when at start of sentence.
✓First, preheat the oven. Then, mix the ingredients.
✗First preheat the oven. Then mix the ingredients.
Comma after sequence words.
✓Finally, we reached the summit.
✗At finally, we reached the summit.
Finally doesn't need 'at'.
✓After that, she went home.
✗After, she went home.
After that (not just after) for sequence.