Define the word. . . transition

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.