The Three Transition Types

Between Sentences, Transition Words, and Between Paragraphs: this equals…..

Smooth Writing!

What is a Transition?

• In writing, a transition is a word, group of words or sentence that leads your reader from one subject to another.

• Think of transitions as the links that hold together a chain – without the links, nothing would hold the chair together and the pieces would fall apart!

Transitions Between Sentences

• There are times when our sentences are only partly related and so its helpful to “seal the deal” by truly connecting the ideas.

• Example of a place that needs a transition: – My mom is constantly yelling at me to clean up

my room. I was not prepared to live on my own.

Make a Transition!• Problem: My mom is constantly yelling at me to

clean up my room. I was not prepared to live on my own.• Potential solution: My mom is constantly yelling at me to

clean up my room. She said this was an example as to why I was not prepared to live on my own.

Or

• Another solution: My mom is constantly yelling at me to clean up my room. Indeed she was right, and I was not prepared to live on my own.

Another Example:Where is the Problem?

• I had my first date with John last night. We went to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. When I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by 6 pm at night. John and I went to see the movie “Gladiator,” which was a very good movie.

Possible Solution• I had my first date with John last night. We went

to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend. That night, John and I went to see the movie “Gladiator,” which was a very good movie.

Transition Words

• Sometimes we only need a word to offer a good transition. “For example,” is an example!

• Common transition words (but do not over do them!) are on the next few pages:

Transitions to help emphasize a point

• Again, the main issue is, to emphasize, indeed, truly, to repeat, surprising, in fact, frequently, for this reason, the point often overlooked . . . .

Transitions to Show Location:

• Above, across, against, along, down, beyond, between, outside, over, beside, into, near, throughout, among, amid . . .

Transitions to Compare Items:

• Accordingly, also, comparable to, just as, often, likewise, similarly, like, in the same way, in the same manner, in conjunction with . . .

Transitions to Contrast Items

• Although, as opposed to, but, however, conversely, counter to, even so, even though, on the other hand, otherwise, still and yet….

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, yesterday, today . . . .

Transactions to Clarify

• For example, for instance, in other words, put another way, that is, simply stated, to clarify, to illustrate . . .

Transitions to Conclude or Summarize

• Accordingly, all in all, as a result, consequently, lastly, thus, in the last analysis, therefore, in short, finally, due to, in closing . . . .

• This is an awesome page on the many different kinds of transition words you can use: http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/sixtrait/organization/transitions.html

Transitions Between Paragraphs

• Transitions are also needed to link your paragraph topics. They help ease your reader into the next topic.

Example of problem paragraphs – what is wrong?

• I had my first date with John last night. We went to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend.

• In 2005, I was dating Billy. He was a nice guy but also a bit clueless. We never went out anywhere because Billy only liked to stay home, watch TV and play video games!

Possible Fix:• I had my first date with John last night. We went to

dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend.

• Although John and I did not work out, at least he took me out to do things. In 2005, I was dating Billy. He was a nice guy but also a bit clueless. We never went out anywhere because Billy only liked to stay home, watch TV and play video games!

Final note on transactions between paragraphs

• Your transition can occur in either paragraph, as long as it makes sense! So, lets look at a final solution for that last example

Transition in the 1st Paragraph• I had my first date with John last night. We went to

dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend. I was sad when John and I broke up, because we always did fun things together; not like my next boyfriend, Billy.

• In 2005, I was dating Billy Pastor. He was a nice guy, but also a bit clueless. We never went out anywhere because Billy only liked to stay home, watch TV and play video games!