1. Conjunctions and Transitions
Mrs. Larimore’s
6th grade
English/Language Arts

2. The class will watch a short video clip called “From Pong to Today” accessed on Flocabulary.com. This transitions rap song uses the history of video games, from Pong, Space Invaders, Final Fantasy, and Angry Birds, to demonstrate how to use conjunctions and transitional words.
Click on the link to watch the video:

3. Student Objectives
Heighten student’s awareness of the use of conjunctions and transitional words and phrases
Better understanding of how to connect sentences
Enhanced understanding how to transition logically between thoughts
Improve writing skills

4. Different types of conjunctions
Conjunctions are divided into:
coordinating conjunctions
correlative conjunctions
subordinating conjunctions
transitional words or phrases

5. Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions connect words of the same kind such as two or more nouns or verbs.
They can also connect larger groups of words such as prepositional phrases or even complete sentence.
Students can add variety to their writing by placing subordinating conjunctions, such as “if,” in different locations in a sentence.
Example: If it snows, they will cancel school.
They will cancel school if it snows.

6. Coordinating conjunctions
Common coordinating conjunctions include the following words:
and but or nor
or so yet

7. In the following examples, notice the coordinating conjunctions that connect the underlined words:
Connecting nouns: My cousin and his wife left today for a trip to Washington, D. C.
Connecting verbs: They printed directions but forgot to bring them.
Connecting prepositional phrases: Put the luggage onto the doorstep or into the garage.
Connecting two sentences: The flowers were blooming, yet it was still cold outside.

8. Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words that connect similar kinds of words or groups of words:
Both and Neither nor
Either or Whether or
Not only but also

9. In the following examples, notice the correlative conjunctions that connect the underlined words:
Connecting nouns: Either the van or the bus will pick us up.
Connecting pronouns: Neither he nor she is to be blamed.
Connecting verbs: Every morning, she both swims and runs.
Connecting prepositional phrases: She will come, whether by train or by plane, I can’t say.
Connecting two clauses: Not only do they sing but also they dance.

10. Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions connects two types of clauses:
An independent clause - one that can stand on its own as a complete sentence.
A dependent clause – one that cannot stand on its own and must be attached to an independent clause. The subordinating conjunction always introduces the dependent idea and connects it to the main idea.

11. Subordinating conjunctions
Common subordinating conjunctions include the following words:
after because than when
although before that whenever
as where as if till
though wherever if since
unless while as so
that until even though
unless as long as in order that
whether as soon as

12. I did the planning after he made the date.
In the following examples, notice the subordinating conjunctions connecting the underlined dependent idea:
I did the planning after he made the date.
When he rested, he felt better.
The examples show that the main idea can come at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. When the dependent idea comes first, it must be separated from the main idea with a comma. If the dependent idea comes second, no comma is necessary.

13. Conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs are used as conjunctions to connect complete ideas.
They are often used as transitions, connecting different ideas by showing comparisons, contrasts, or results.
The transitional words and phrases are used in writing to provide coherence and improve organization.

14. Conjunctive adverbs
Common conjunctive adverbs include the following words:
accordingly consequently indeed
otherwise again finally
instead then also
furthermore moreover therefore
besides however
nevertheless thus

15. Conjunctive adverbs phrases
Common conjunctive adverb phrases include the following:
on the contrary
in addition to
In the following example, notice the transition connecting the underlined two ideas.
The film was great; however, I prefer the play.
The steak looked delicious; although, the fish smelled more appealing.

16. Works Cited Anderson, Jeff, and Kelly Gallagher. Prentice
Hall Writing Coach: Writing and Grammar
for the 21st Century. Boston: Pearson
Education Inc., Print.