Starting with "and" or "but"

In elementary school when you learn how to write sentences you are told NEVER start a sentence with an "and" or a "but". However, that was just so we could learn how to form and construct sentences correctly. You really can use those two words.

A sentence beginning with and or but will tend to draw attention to itself and its transitional function. Writers should examine such sentences with two questions in mind: (1) would the sentence and paragraph function just as well without the initial conjunction? (2) should the sentence in question be connected to the previous sentence? If the initial conjunction still seems appropriate, use it.

This website was helpful.