1. MENU
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Transitions
In writing, a transition is the smooth progression from one idea to another. A good transition helps the reader see how ideas are connected.
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2. Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
In writing, a transition is the smooth progression from one idea to another. A good transition helps the reader see how ideas are connected.
How could a transition improve this paragraph?
The temperature soared into the triple digits for the second day in a row. The increased use of air conditioning strained the city’s power supply.
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3. Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
In writing, a transition is the smooth progression from one idea to another. A good transition helps the reader see how ideas are connected.
The revised paragraph flows better because the transition helps to show the sequence of events.
The temperature soared into the triple digits for the second day in a row. The increased use of air conditioning strained the city’s power supply.
ORIGINAL
REVISED
The temperature soared into the triple digits for the second day in a row. By the third day, the increased use of air conditioning had strained the city’s power supply.
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4. MENU
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Transitions
Transitions can signal different types of relationships. Click the transitional relationship you want to explore.
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Sequential Order
Order of Importance
Cause and Effect
Spatial Order
Comparison and Contrast

5. Sequential Order Transitions MENU EXIT
Use transitions like these to show the sequence of time or steps in a process.
first
during
before
second
then
at the beginning
afterwards
soon
at the same time
next
finally
subsequently
last
already
later
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6. Sequential Order Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
Where could you add transitions to help make this sequence clearer?
To download photographs from your digital camera onto your computer, connect the cable from the camera to the correct port in your computer. The photography program will automatically open. Click on “download images” and click on “save to folder.” Write the name of the folder in the dialog box and hit enter.
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7. Sequential Order Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
These transitions indicate the sequence of steps for downloading photographs to a computer.
To download photographs from your digital camera onto your computer, first connect the cable from the camera to the correct port in your computer. The photography program will automatically open. Next, click on “download images,” then click on “save to folder.” Finally, write the name of the folder in the dialog box and hit enter.
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8. Order of Importance Transitions MENU EXIT
Use words like these when you are trying to show the relative importance of people, places, things, or events.
first
second
best
worst
main
more important
most important
least important
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9. Order of Importance Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
When colleges review your application, they want to know whether you are a well-rounded student. To do this, they look at your grades and extracurricular activities as a whole. SAT scores are also on the list. Their objective is to make sure you will be able to excel at their institution. Whether or not a relative went to the college is rarely considered.
Where could you add transitions to help show the relative importance of these criteria?
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10. Order of Importance Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
When colleges review your application, they want to know whether you are a well-rounded student. To do this, they first look at your grades and extracurricular activities as a whole. SAT scores are second on the list. Their main objective is to make sure you will be able to excel at their institution. Whether or not a relative went to the college is considered least important.
These transitions stress the importance of some criteria over other criteria.
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11. Cause and Effect Transitions MENU EXIT
Transitional words can also show a cause-and-effect relationship.
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12. Cause and Effect Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
Transitional words can also show a cause-and-effect relationship.
In this example, the transition clarifies the effect of the first action (the cause).
I had an allergic
reaction to the
medication.
The doctors
monitored my
condition carefully.
As a result,
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13. Cause and Effect Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
Use transitional words and phrases like these to show relationships between events and their results.
as a result
because
therefore
consequently
since
thus so
for
if...then
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14. Cause and Effect Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
Over the past few years, gas prices have risen steadily. As a result, more people are riding bicycles or taking public transportation. People are also driving more fuel-efficient cars and hybrids. Consequently, air pollution is lessening.
What transitions in this paragraph point to the results that followed a rise in gas prices?
Click to see the transitional words

15. Click to see the cause-and-effect relationships
PREVIOUS
MENU
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Transitions
Cause and Effect
Over the past few years, gas prices have risen steadily. As a result, more people are riding bicycles or taking public transportation. People are also driving more fuel-efficient cars and hybrids. Consequently, air pollution is lessening.
What transitions in this paragraph point to the results that followed a rise in gas prices?
Click to see the cause-and-effect relationships

16. Cause and Effect Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
The transitions highlight the cause-and-effect relationships.
Gas prices
have risen.
As a result,
More people
are riding
bicycles.
Air pollution is
lessening.
Consequently,
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17. Spatial Order Transitions MENU EXIT
Use transitional words and phrases like these when describing details according to their position in space (front to back, near to far, top to bottom, and others).
above
beside
to the right of
past
in the other direction
below
down
over
behind
in front of
near
under
beneath
in back of
on top of to
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18. Spatial Order Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
The sports arena was well planned by the team of architects. In front of the main entrance numerous sets of stairs lead to the seating areas. To the right of the entrance are the food and souvenir vendors. Bathroom facilities are located on the level below.
Which words point out the spatial relationships in this description?
Click to view the transitional words

19. Spatial Order Transitions PREVIOUS MENU EXIT
The sports arena was well planned by the team of architects. In front of the main entrance, numerous sets of stairs lead to the seating areas. To the right of the entrance are the food and souvenir vendors. Bathroom facilities are located on the level below.
Which words point out the spatial relationships in this description?
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20. Comparison and Contrast
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Transitions
Comparison and Contrast
Use comparison and contrast transitions to signal the similarities and differences between people, places, things, or events.
but
however
unlike
in contrast
similarly
like
both
each
yet
although
even though
on the contrary
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21. Comparison and Contrast
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Transitions
Comparison and Contrast
Caves with limestone deposits have two kinds of formations: stalactites and stalagmites. Both types are created when water seeps through rock, causing minerals to dissolve. In each case, these minerals precipitate out of the water when they come into contact with air. Although they contain the same compounds, stalactites and stalagmites form in different ways. Stalactites drip from the ceiling, creating hanging icicle-like structures. In contrast, stalagmites rise from the cave floor.
What words in the paragraph signal the comparisons and contrasts?
Click to view the transitional words

22. Comparison and Contrast
PREVIOUS
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Transitions
Comparison and Contrast
Caves with limestone deposits have two kinds of formations: stalactites and stalagmites. Both types are created when water seeps through rock, causing minerals to dissolve. In each case, these minerals precipitate out of the water when they come into contact with air. Although they contain the same compounds, stalactites and stalagmites form in different ways. Stalactites drip from the ceiling, creating hanging icicle-like structures. In contrast, stalagmites rise from the cave floor.
What words in the paragraph signal the comparisons and contrasts?
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