Activity 1.14: Transitions and Quotations 8th Grade Springboard

Learning Target I can examine and appropriately apply transitions and embedded quotations to create coherence in writing.

Notebook Date Activity 1.15 Vocab pg.

Coherence Is the clear and orderly presentation of ideas in a paragraph or essay. Internal (in paragraphs) External (between paragraphs)

Reviewing and Extending Transitions You have learned that transitions connect ideas. Writers use transitional words and phrases to create coherence and to help readers move smoothly through the essay. In formal writing, transitions establish relationships between one thought and the next, both within body paragraphs (internal) and between body paragraphs (external).

Reviewing and Extending Transitions Transitions are used for different purposes: To offer evidence: To introduce an interpretation: To compare and contrast: Most important, For example, For instance, According to __________, To illustrate, In this case, Therefore, For these reasons, Consequently, Furthermore, In addition, Moreover, Thus, Although _______, Even though __________, Instead, On the other hand, On the contrary, Rather, Yet,/But,/However, Still, Nevertheless, In contrast, Similarly, Likewise, In the same way,

Transitions Continued To add information: To clarify: To conclude: Additionally, In addition, For example, For instance, Likewise, Finally, Equally important, Again, In other words, That is, Put another way, As a result, Therefore, Thus,

1. The following sample paragraph is based on the film Mulan, a folklore story from China about a girl, Mulan, who chooses to go to war in place of her ill father. Mark the text to indicate where transitions could be added. Using the chart on the previous page, mark the draft to indicate where transitions could be added to create coherence.

Transitions that could be include are: “First, Mulan takes her father’s place in the Chinese army because she knows that he is hurt.” Sentence 2 “Although, it is a crime punishable by death to impersonate a soldier…” Beginning of sentence 3 “In spite of her fears, she gathers all of her courage and leaves before anyone can stop her…” Beginning of sentence 4 “In most cases, the heroes that we look up to are everyday heroes…” Sentence 6 In just this way, Mulan is an ordinary girl who finds courage and strength to continue training and fighting in battles…” Sentence 8

Providing Support for a Claim Supporting detail (evidence) can be paraphrased or directly quoted (word-for-word), depending on the writer’s purpose and intended effect. Examine the difference between a paraphrase and an embedded quotation. Paraphrase: Early in the story, Mulan reveals that she knows she will hurt her family if she is true to herself (Mulan). Embedded Quotation: Early in the story, Mulan reveals her fears when she sings “Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family’s heart” (Mulan 5). Note that the embedded quotation shows a more detailed and precise knowledge of the text.

A direct quotation should not: Quote Rules A direct quotation should not: A direct quote should: Contain a simple idea that a writer could easily paraphrase. Contain a complex idea that is thought- provoking. Repeat an idea that has already been said. Add another layer of depth to the writing. Stand alone. Be smoothly embedded into the writing begin with a transition and lead-ins Be lengthy. Be no more than three lines.

TLQC Strategy Use the acronym TLQC to help you remember how to embed a quotation smoothly. The letters stand for Transition, Lead-in, Quote, and Citation.

TLQC Strategy Element Definition/Purpose Example Transition Used as a bridge to link ideas and strengthen cohesion and fluency. Early in the story, Lead-In Use to set the context for the information in the quote (complex sentences work well). Mulan reveals her fears when she sings, Quote Use ideas from a credible source to strengthen your ideas, illustrate a point and/or support your controlling idea. “Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself, I would break my families heart.” Citation Include author’s last name and page number (if available) to give credit to the author and to make your writing credible to the reader. (Mulan 5).

2. Return to the sample paragraph and revise the writer’s ideas about Mulan by smoothly embedding Christopher Reeve’s quote (already there, but not carefully embedded) and by adding the following quotation from the film: Mulan: “It’s going to take a miracle to get me into the army.” Mulan is a good example of Reeve’s statement that “a hero… finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles” (Reeve). Her pluck allows her to face the impossible because she knows “it’s going to take a miracle to get me into the army” (Mulan).

Check Your Understanding Return to the paragraph you wrote about Lincoln and Douglass as historical heroes. Mark your draft to indicate missing or ineffective transitions. Then, revise the organization by adding or substituting transitional words and phrases to create coherence. Next, find a significant quote in two of the texts you have read and add those ideas into your paragraph by smoothly embedding the quotes you have learned.

Check Your Understanding Reflection: What types of transitions did you add during your revision? Why? How do the direct quotations strengthen your ideas?