Transitions

1. Continue… MENU EXIT 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.

2. The storm tossed the plane around while lightning cracked. I was glad and relieved to be safely on the ground. How could a transition improve this paragraph? Click to see a revision PREVIOUS MENU EXIT 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.

3. The revised paragraph flows better because the transition helps to show the sequence of events. ORIGINAL The storm tossed the plane around while lightning cracked. I was glad and relieved to be safely on the ground. REVISED The storm tossed the plane around while lightning cracked. After we landed, I was glad and relieved to be safely on the ground. Next PREVIOUS MENU EXIT 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.

4. MENU EXIT Transitions Transitions can signal different types of relationships. Click the transitional relationship you want to explore. MENU • Sequential Order • Order of Importance • Cause and Effect • Spatial Order • Comparison and Contrast

5. Use transitions like these to show the sequence of time or steps in a process. Next MENU EXIT Transitions Sequential Order first during before second then at the beginning afterwards soon at the same time next finally subsequently last already later

6. Where could you add transitions to help make this sequence clearer? I have a special routine when I study for a test. I read my notes from class. I pick out the most important ideas. I write a summary of each idea in my own words. I reread my summary and compare it to my notes. Click to see a revision PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Sequential Order

7. These transitions indicate the progression of events as the student studies for her test. I have a special routine when I study for a test. First, I read my notes from class. Then, I pick out the most important ideas. Next, I write a summary of each idea in my own words. Finally, I reread my summary and compare it to my notes. Menu PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Sequential Order

8. Next MENU EXIT Transitions Order of Importance Use words like these when you are trying to show the relative importance of people, places, things, or events. • main • more important • most important • least important • first • second • best • worst

9. Where could you add transitions to help show that some actions are more important than others? When making cookies, use the right measurements called for in the recipe. Preheat the oven to the correct temperature. Don’t worry about trying to make each cookie perfectly round. Click to see a revision PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Order of Importance

10. These transitions show the importance of some actions over other actions. When making cookies, the most important thing is to use the right measurements called for in the recipe. Be sure to preheat the oven to the correct temperature. The least important thing is to worry about trying to make each cookie perfectly round. Menu PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Order of Importance

11. Continue… MENU EXIT Transitions Cause and Effect Transitional words can also show a cause-and-effect relationship.

12. As a result, Next PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Cause and Effect 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 didn’t stretch before I went running. I pulled a muscle in my leg.

13. Use transitional words and phrases like these to show relationships between events and their results. Next PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Cause and Effect as a result because therefore consequently since thus so for if...then

14. What transitions in this paragraph point to the results that followed the invention of penicillin? The invention of penicillin had a huge impact on people’s health around the world. As a result, many common infections could be cured. Therefore, doctors could save more lives. Click to see the transitional words PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Cause and Effect

15. What transitions in this paragraph point to the results that followed the invention of penicillin? The invention of penicillin had a huge impact on people’s health around the world. As a result, many common infections could be cured. Therefore, doctors could save more lives. Click to see the cause-and-effect relationships PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Cause and Effect

16. As a result, Consequently, Menu PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Cause and Effect The transitions highlight the cause-and-effect relationships. Penicillin was invented. infections could be cured. doctors could save more lives.

17. 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). Next MENU EXIT Transitions Spatial Order 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

18. Which words point out the spatial relationships in this description? The hills had flattened and given way to low fields of sedge [grasslike plants]. A scent of brine and brackish water reached Taran’s nostrils. Ahead, the river widened, flowing into a bay, and beyond that to an even greater expanse of water. To his right, on the far side of towering rocks, Taran heard the rush of surf. —Lloyd Alexander, The Castle of Llyr Click to view the transitional words PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Spatial Order

19. Which words point out the spatial relationships in this description? The hills had flattened and given way to low fields of sedge [grasslike plants]. A scent of brine and brackish water reached Taran’s nostrils. Ahead, the river widened, flowing into a bay, and beyond that to an even greater expanse of water. To his right,on the far side of towering rocks, Taran heard the rush of surf. —Lloyd Alexander, The Castle of Llyr Menu PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Spatial Order

20. Next MENU EXIT 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

21. What words in the paragraph signal the comparisons and contrasts? Grace and Carol are browner, less pasty; their features are farther apart, their hair lighter. The third girl is the tallest. Unlike Grace and Carol, who are in summer skirts, she wears corduroys and a pullover. Both Carol and Grace are stubby-shaped, but this girl is thin without being fragile. —Margaret Atwood, Cat’s Eye Click to view the transitional words PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Comparison and Contrast

22. What words in the paragraph signal the comparisons and contrasts? Grace and Carol are browner, less pasty; their features are farther apart, their hair lighter. The third girl is the tallest. Unlike Grace and Carol, who are in summer skirts, she wears corduroys and a pullover. Both Carol and Grace are stubby-shaped, but this girl is thin without being fragile. —Margaret Atwood, Cat’s Eye Menu PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Transitions Comparison and Contrast