1. Transitions in Narrative Writing
For your Autobiographical Narrative

2. Transition (noun) – a word, phrase, or passage that links one subject or idea to another in speech or writing

3. Transitions = the “glue” that holds your story together.
There are six categories
of transition words

4. Spatial Order
Words used in descriptive writing to signal spatial relationships
Examples:
above, below, beside, nearby, beyond, inside, and outside

5. Time Order
Words used in writing narratives, and instructions to signal chronological sequence
Chronological (adj.)- presented or arranged in the order in which events occur or occurred
EXAMPLES: before, after, first, next, then, when, finally, while, as, during, earlier, later, and meanwhile

6. Numerical Order Signals order of importance
EXAMPLES: first, second, also, finally, in addition, equally important, and more or less importantly

7. Cause/Effect Order
Used in expository writing to signal causal relationships
EXAMPLES: because, since, for, so, as a result, consequently, thus, and hence.

8. Compare/Contrast Order
Used to signal similarities and differences
EXAMPLES:
(for similarities) also, additionally, just as, as if, as though, like, and similarly; and (for differences) but, yet, only, although, whereas, in contrast, conversely, however, on the other hand, rather, instead, in spite of, and nevertheless.

9. General/Specific Order
Used in descriptive reports and arguments to signal more specific elaboration on an idea
EXAMPLES: for example, such as, like, namely, for instance, that is, in fact, in other words, and indeed.

10. Your autobiographical narrative should be in chronological (time) order.

11. Story Transitions Narratives need transitions of time and place
(a week later, sometime during the
night, as we walked).
Connect all of the events in the narrative.
Help sequence the events in a clear and logical order.
Serve as a signal to readers that the character(s) will be doing something new.

12. Transitions often appear at the beginning of a paragraph.
When a change in the action takes place, it’s time to start a new paragraph.
When a change in the action takes place, it is also the perfect time to use a narrative transition.
However, transitions are not needed at every paragraph.

13. Think of narrative transitions as the frame of a story
Think of narrative transitions as the frame of a story. Use them to point out the events and important action in the story.

14. EXAMPLES OF TRANSITIONS TO SHOW TIME
PRACTICE
EXAMPLES OF TRANSITIONS TO SHOW TIME
about
after
afterward
as soon as at
at the same time
before
during
finally
first
immediately
in the meantime
later
last
meanwhile
next
next week
next time
next year
prior to
second next
soon
then
third
till
today
tomorrow
until
when
yesterday