How to turn your research into good paragraphs Transitions!

Transitions What is a transition? Where do you find transitions?

Transitions: two kinds There are two kinds of transitions you will be dealing with in your research paper. The first one is the one you know about. - A transition between paragraphs mentions something of the paragraph before it and something about the paragraph about to be read Transitions between Paragraphs-- A transition between paragraphs mentions something of the paragraph before it and something about the paragraph about to be read

Transitions BETWEEN paragraphs REVIEW! When writing a research paper your transitions between paragraphs won’t be just words such as “first, next, last.” The transition will usually be a complex or compound sentence and must logically lead your reader from subtopic to subtopic. Example: “Despite Elvis Presley’s humble birth and normal childhood, he was about to begin one of the most famous singing careers of the 20 th century.”

Please! No one-word transitions! Please do not try to use one word to transition from paragraph to paragraph in a research paper; it is just not enough.

Transitions WITHIN a paragraph 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. IF YOU PLAN TO USE A QUOTE FROM YOUR RESEARCH you MUST introduce the quote, and/or explain why it is there. For example: IF YOU PLAN TO USE A QUOTE FROM YOUR RESEARCH you MUST introduce the quote, and/or explain why it is there. For example: The Rock and Roll Encyclopedia has pointed out that, “Elvis Presley’s contribution to American music cannot be overstated” (Parsons 254).

All of that information…. The research you have taken on your cards are like pieces of a puzzle. When you put the pieces together, you use in-paragraph transitions so that they make sense together. Because you may have gotten the information from many sources, you have to put them together so that they make a logical paragraph.

In-paragraph Transitions show RELATIONSHIPS between sentences!!! Transitions show a relationship between sentences. As you look at each note card, ask yourself: Am I adding information to the last sentence? (additionally, along with, on top of that, thus). Am I giving an example of information? (for example, in fact). Am I showing a contrast between two pieces of information? (Even though, in contrast, just the opposite, in spite of that, although). Am I giving events as they happened in order? (The first thing, next, secondly) Am I giving information that happened as a result of something? (as a result, because of this, it followed that).

BEFORE YOU BEGIN WRITING A NEW PARAGRAPH Ask yourself: WHAT IS THE TOPIC OF THIS PARAGRAPH? CAN I EXPLAIN THE TOPIC IN A SENTENCE AND SUPPORT IT WITH REASONING AND RESEARCH with at least 4 sentences? Then, ask yourself, HOW DOES THIS PARAGRAPH ACTUALLY CONNECT TO THE PARAGRAPH BEFORE IT? This will help you write your TRANSITION SENTENCES which are a requirement for this paper. The TRANSITION sentences go AT THE BEGINNING of the paragraph and lead into it from the paragraph before it. See the student example. While you write the paragraph, make sure you are explaining your topic. Take every opportunity to SHOW HOW THE INFO IN YOUR PARAGRAPH HAS IMPACTED AMERICAN SOCIETY. ALWAYS explain and introduce quotes so that they SUPPORT what you are saying, not take its place. As soon as you use information from a card, cite it with the source at the end of the sentence and add in any page number if necessary.

Transition Example End of first body paragraph: I can also spend a half hour a night just reading a book instead of playing video games. If I improve this skill, I will be able to read and understand books better which will in turn allow me to participate in my friends’ conversations. *After you finish the paragraph on reading independently you would start the next paragraph with a transition sentence. While I want to finally be able to read and understand books on my own, I can also expand my vocabulary while I am working on my reading skills.

What does a transition between paragraphs do? How confident do you feel that you can use transitions to piece together your research note?

Directions In your group decide group responsibility. Read over the notes about “prom” for your paragraph. Use logical transitions to lead into your paragraph. Make a draft and then type the complete paragraph using the card information for your group. The group that produces the paragraph with the best transitions and most logical flow will receive a prize.

Sample of Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 “Dances at the beginning of the century were stiffer and more proper than what we are accustomed today” (Schwartz). Parents wanted a way to get their daughter to meet a boy before the end of high school because they usually got married soon after (Jordan). “No one with any sense gets married as a teenager anymore” (Jordan). According to one source, “dances at the beginning of the century were stiffer and more proper than what we are accustomed today” (Schwartz). Therefore, instead of being just for fun, parents wanted a way to get their daughter to meet a prospective husband before the end of high school because they usually got married soon after (Jordan). However, one modern high school student has pointed out that “no one with any sense gets married as a teenager anymore” (Jordan).

Evaluating student examples Are all quotes introduced? Is there a good transition at the beginning of the paragraph that leads the reader from the paragraph before it? Does the paragraph make logical sense and use the information from the research?