Smash Cut

One shot is instantly replaced by the next with no optical effect; the baseline every other transition is compared against.

This is for a motion graphics video. Join the shots in [scene] with a "Hard Cut" (also called a cut or direct cut): one shot is replaced by the next instantly.
Put no fade, wipe or any other effect on the cut — unlike a smash cut it is not meant to shock, it is just the plain shot change.
Fit the shots into [duration], and place the cut on a beat or a finished movement so it passes unnoticed.

A cut between two tonally opposite images to emphasize the difference between them.

This is for a motion graphics video. Join two shots in [scene] with a "Contrast Cut": cut straight from one image to its tonal opposite.
Make the two sides differ as much as possible — bright against dark, small against large — and hold each long enough to compare; unlike a smash cut the point is the comparison, not the shock.
Fit both shots into [duration], and put no transition effect on the cut.

A growing or shrinking star-shaped mask carries the next shot in.

This is for a motion graphics video. Join two shots in [scene] with a "Star Wipe" (also called a shape wipe, or a heart wipe when the shape is a heart): a star-shaped opening grows from the middle of the frame and brings the next shot in through it.
Keep the edge of the star crisp and both shots still, and let the shape grow until it clears every corner — unlike an iris wipe, the opening is a recognizable shape rather than a circle.
Run the transition over [duration], starting slowly so the shape reads before it fills the frame.

Parallel strips reveal the next shot, like slats of window blinds turning open.

This is for a motion graphics video. Join two shots in [scene] with a "Venetian Blinds" transition (also called a band wipe): a set of parallel strips opens across the frame and reveals the next shot, like the slats of window blinds turning open.
Make the strips equal in width and open them all at the same time — unlike a plain wipe, no single edge travels across the frame, and both shots stay put.
Run the transition over [duration], with every strip opening at the same pace.

The outgoing shot zooms rapidly toward a point and the incoming shot zooms out from a similar point, as if flying through the cut.

This is for a motion graphics video. Join two shots in [scene] with a "Zoom Transition" (also called a zoom in/out transition): the outgoing shot zooms rapidly toward a point and the incoming shot comes out of the same point, as if flying through the cut.
Keep the zoom going in one direction across both shots and hide the cut at its fastest moment — unlike a punch in, the travel between the sizes is shown, and unlike a camera zoom it ends in a different shot.
Run the transition over [duration], speeding up into the cut and slowing down out of it.