Getting from Point A to Point B: Creating Good Transitions

What is a transition? Bridges parts of your paper together Helps you (writer) carry over a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another with words or phrases Guides the reader to interpret ideas the way you (as a writer) want them to Point B Point A

What is a transition? Transitions link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly…. so there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas

Types of Transitions Some lead the reader forward to “build” on an idea or thought Others make your reader compare or draw conclusions from preceding thoughts There are several types of transitional devices; each leads your reader to make certain connections or assumptions about the areas you’re connecting

Types of Transitions A transition can be A single word A phrase A sentence An entire paragraph All function the same way  a transition either directly summarizes the content of a preceding sentence, section, etc., or it helps the reader anticipate or comprehend NEW information that you’re going to present.

Transition Placement Between Sections Between Paragraphs In longer works, it may be necessary to include transitional paragraphs that summarize for the reader what was just covered and specify how it connects to what is going to be covered next. Between Paragraphs If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. A transition between paragraphs can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence.

Example of Paragraph Transitions

Transition Placement Within Paragraphs: As with transitions between sections and paragraphs, transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases.

Transitions – To Add These words signify that you’re elaborating on an idea in your writing: And, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what’s more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.) Example: Friends is a television show about six friends. It shows how relationships are often complicated. Friends is a television show about six friends. Furthermore, it shows how relationships are often complicated.

Transitions – To Compare These words signify you’re comparing a previous idea to a new one in your paper, or describing two different things: Whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true… Example: Ross and Rachel are dating. Ross and Monica are siblings. Ross and Rachel are dating. However, Ross and Monica are siblings.

Transitions – To Prove Use these words to indicate support for your argument: Because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is… Example: Monica loves food. She is a chef. Monica loves food. In fact, she is a chef.

Transitions – To Show Exception These words help you move to an idea that counters an earlier idea Yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes… Example: Phoebe acts unintelligently. She has some of the smartest observations. Phoebe acts unintelligently. Yet, she has some of the smartest observations.

Transitions – To Show Time When telling events in a chronological sequence, these words help make the order clear: Immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then… Example: Ross and Rachel get married. They get a divorce. They have a baby. First, Ross and Rachel get married. Soon after, they get a divorce. Then, they have a baby.

Transitions – To Repeat These types of transitional devices help remind the reader what you have mentioned before: In brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted… Example: Ross and Rachel have a crazy relationship. As has been shown, Ross and Rachel have a crazy relationship.

Transitions – To Emphasize Emphasis words do just that – serve to emphasize points that you want the reader to really be aware of and understand: Definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation… Example: Ross has been married three times. Ross likes to get married. Ross has been married three times. Obviously, Ross likes to get married.

Transitions – To Show Sequence or “Results” If there is no clear order or you’re writing that one idea causes another, use the following words: First, second, third, and so forth, next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon… Example: Joey went to film a movie in Las Vegas. Ross and Rachel got married. Joey went to film a movie in Las Vegas. At this time, Ross and Rachel got married.

Transitions – To Give an Example Words such as these clearly indicate when you’re giving an example to support yourself: For example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration… Example: Joey does not share food. He will not even share with Emma, Rachel’s baby. Joey does not share food. For example, he will not even share with Emma, Rachel’s baby.

Transitions – To Summarize or Conclude When trying to summarize your points, using these words clearly signals your intent: In brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, on the whole… Example: Friends shows the lives of six friends. It shows how they interact with each other. Friends shows the lives of six friends. Consequently, it shows how they interact with each other.

Transitions: Repeating Key Words Transitions don’t always have to be one of these “signal” words; they can also be words that you have used before to remind the reader of what you are talking about Example: Friends is about six friends who remain loyal to each other despite all of the issues that come up in their lives. Because of the loyalty Friends portrays, many people are attracted to the show.

Sources Information courtesy of: Purdue OWL: Transitional Devices (Connecting Words)– http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_transition.html Standout Essays Writing Tutorial: Creating Smooth Transitions – http://www.standoutessay.com/tutorial/transitions.html The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Transitions – http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html

It is a good idea to continue one paragraph where another leaves off It is a good idea to continue one paragraph where another leaves off. (Instances where this is especially challenging may suggest that the paragraphs don't belong together at all.) Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph and highlighting them in the next can create an obvious progression for readers. Many times, it only takes a few words to draw these connections. Instead of writing transitions that could connect any paragraph to any other paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific paragraph.

For the following paragraphs, add the transitions in the topic sentence and before/after the quote. Source: “How Teachers Make Cell Phones Work In the Classroom” by Tina Barseghian Every teacher, believe is or not, is only human; and humans are not any two the same. Each teacher cannot be expected to have the same knowledge and skill concerning cellular devices. “…for every teacher who’s able to seamlessly integrate cell phones and other mobile devices, there's another who doesn’t see the transformation as easily”. Teachers will not be able to all adapt to this growing technology at the same rates. This is the very reason that each teacher must set their own classroom rules firmly. Those who wish for a standardized rule must see that you cannot expect some teachers to gain such knowledge and for other to waste all that they could do. Let each teacher reach their own teaching potential in their own time and way.

Add the transitions in the topic sentence and before/after the quote Add the transitions in the topic sentence and before/after the quote. Also, fix the personal pronoun. Source: “Teaching Digital Citizenship” by Tina Barseghian Not only does using their phone distract that student, it distracts others around them and takes away from their ability to learn. Phones can go off suddenly during class and disrupt the whole class, or it can be those few students who are always on there phones that will interest others by them. Videos, games, twitter, instagram, all things that pull them away from learning and take others with them sometimes. “It’s our responsibility as educators to teach kids how to interact with the worlds”. I like this because it helps express what we must do to help better these kids education.

Add the transitions in the topic sentence and before/after the quote. Source: Geneva Reid “The Top Five Ways Students use Technology to Cheat” Cell phone also help cheaters tremendously. Allowing them access to answers at all times. “If cheatings gone high-tech, so have morals: 25% of teens consider their actions ‘helping’ not cheating. When it comes to the internet, 52% say they’ve engaged in some type of cheating. But again, they don’t see much wrong with it: 36% don’t view downloading a paper a serious offense, and 42% believe copying text from web is a minor offensive at its worse.” Students don’t even realize they are cheating because it so simple to access answers.