Transitions Suphia Quraishi Transitions Handout from: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Suphia Quraishi March 23, 2009

Function and Importance of Transitions Transitions help you convey information clearly and concisely by establishing logical connections between sentences, paragraphs and sections of your paper A few examples of transitions: “Here’s an exception to my previous statement” “Although this idea appears to be true, here’s the real story.” “Another example coming up—stay alert!”

Signs that you may need to work on your transitions When people tell you that they had trouble following your train of thought When you keep jumping from idea to idea quickly Your paper was put together in chunks

Organization You may want to evaluate your paper’s organization before you work on your transitions. The organization of your written work includes 2 things: The order in which you have chosen to present the different parts of your discussion or argument The relationships you construct between these parts

Organization Ways to organize: Summarize in a word or short paragraph what each paragraph is about and how it fits into your analysis as a whole. Refer to this website about organization also from the writing center http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/organization. html

How Transitions Work Transitions do not organize your paper but they can help make your organization clearer and easier to follow. Transitions can be used to contradict a common belief. You would have to organize your paper to where the common belief is stated and use a transition to contradict it.

Types of Transitions Transitions between sections These types of transitions would be used in longer works, could be a paragraph summarizing the information just covered and/or information on what’s to come Transitions between paragraphs These transitions are generally pretty short, a word or two, maybe a short sentence. They could be located at the end of beginning of a paragraph and will highlight existing content or suggest following content.

Types of Transitions Transitions within paragraphs Usually single words or short phrases, they act as cues by helping readers anticipate what is coming next.

Transitional Expressions Similarity Also, in the same way, just as…so too, likewise, similarly Exception/Contrast But, however, in spite of, on the one hand…on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet Sequence/Order First, second, third…next, then, finally

Transitional Expressions Time After, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then Example For example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate Emphasis Even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly Place/Position Above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there

Transitional Expressions Cause and Effect Accordingly, consequently, hence, so therefore, thus Additional Support or Evidence Additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then Conclusion/Summary Finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, in summary

Conclusion There are many types of transitions and they can be used in many different ways Transitional Expressions Similarity Exception/Contrast Sequence/Order Time Example Emphasis Place/Position Cause and Effect Additional Support or Evidence Conclusion/Summary

Conclusion Any Questions? Transitions build relationships between different parts and topics of your paper Transitions help readers ease into a change of topics Types of Transitions: Transitions between sections Transitions between paragraphs Transitions within paragraphs Any Questions?