1. Define the word. . .
transition

2. In writing, a transition is a word or phrase that connects ideas.
Transitions help the reader of your piece understand how all the ideas in your piece fit together.

3. Transitions can be used to. . .
Show chronological order (time/order of events)
Show degree order
Compare (show similarities) and contrast (differences)
Show cause and effect order
Introduce an example
Introduce a contradiction
To introduce a conclusion, summary or generalization

4. Transitions to show chronological order (time/order of events)
First
Second
Third
Next
Then
Later
Before
Afterward
Eventually
Recently
Finally
In the future
In the past
During

5. Read the sentences below and write down the transitions you see.
Summer vacation was great this year. On our first day off from school I went to Great Adventure with my friend. We went on the Superman ride first. Then we went on the water flume ride. During lunchtime we bought some burgers and fries. Before we left, we made sure to go in the haunted house. It was so much fun and it was only the first day of summer vacation!

6. Transitions to show degree order
Most important
More
Less
Most
Least important
More importantly

7. Transitions to show comparison and contrast
Likewise
Similarly
Another similarity
In contrast
A different kind
Unlike this
Another difference
Both
Despite this fact
However
Instead
Nevertheless
On the contrary
On the other hand
Still

8. Transitions to show cause and effect order
One cause
One effect
Another cause
Another effect
As a result
Consequently
Therefore

9. Transitions to introduce an example
For example
One example
One kind
One type
Another example
Another kind
For instance
To illustrate
A second example
A third example
Another type

10. Read the sentences below and write down the transitions you see.
Two of my favorite candy bars are Snickers and Milky Way. Both are made with chocolate and deliciously smooth caramel. Snickers has peanuts mixed in with the caramel. However, Milky Way does not. Another difference is that Milky Way is smoother and melts in your mouth faster than a Snickers bar. Despite their differences, both are equally yummy. As a result, I often have a hard time deciding which one to buy.

11. Transitions to introduce a contradiction
Nonetheless
However
Although
In spite of this
Otherwise
Instead
On the contrary

12. Transitions to introduce a conclusion, summary or generalization
In conclusion
As a result
Therefore
In summary
In general
Accordingly
Needless to say
Finally
Clearly then
Consequently

13. Read the sentences below and write down the transitions you see.
Derek and Mike were best friends. They lived next door to each other their whole lives. Although they were best friends, they were very different. Derek was a straight A student and never got in trouble. In contrast, Mike failed the sixth grade and liked to cut class. One day Mike convinced Derek to cut math class. The security guard caught them in the bathroom. As a result, they were suspended from school.

14. Read the sentences below and write down the transitions you see.
After the suspension, Derek made a very tough decision. He knew Mike was not a good influence on him. Consequently, he stopped hanging out with Mike so much and found friends who did not like to get in so much trouble all the time. Later, when he graduated from college, Mike was still getting in trouble. Needless to say, Derek knew he made the right decision.

15. Write a sentence that could follow logically, each of the following sentences below using an appropriate transition.
My alarm clock did not go off this morning.
Janie failed the math test.
First, mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
Mike mustered up the courage to ask Lisa to the dance.
It snowed all night last night, and we had six inches on the ground when we woke up.

16. Tonight’s Homework
Write a well developed paragraph, describing your day ever. Make sure that you include FIVE transitions in your paragraph. Then underline or highlight the transitions in your paragraph.