Use Transitions to Move Logically from Sentence to Sentence and from Paragraph to Paragraph Language Usage Skill # 18

What rule or idea must I know?  Transitions are connecting words and phrases that show relationships in time and space, order of importance, cause-and-effect relationships, and similarities/differences within and among text ideas.

What rule or idea must I know?  There are six types of transition words and phrases to use within the writing organizational patterns.  Use the following chart to revise text to ensure there is coherence in your organizational pattern and the transitional words used.

Organizational Pattern PurposeLists ofappropriate wordsand phrases Chronological Order Shows relationships in time; order of events as they occur first second always then next later soon before finally earlier afterwards meanwhile eventually next week tomorrow Spatial OrderPoints out where details are located in space in front behind next to nearest lowest above below outside underneath on the left on the right in the middle DegreeClarifies relationships of degree of importance or any other quality mainly strongest weakest first second third most important less important equally important most significant least significant best ComparisonShows similarities similarly likewise in addition like than as neither…nor either…or by comparison ContrastShows differences however by contrast yet but unlike instead nevertheless as opposed to on the other hand Cause and EffectConnects causes and effects since because thus therefore so due to as a consequence accordingly for this reason if…then as a result owing to

Why do I need to know this? Transitions are effective tools for the writer to help the reader identify relationships and shift from idea to idea. Transitions strengthen the coherence of text and add variety to the sentences.

What might cause mistakes for this concept? There may be incorrect transition words that do not reflect the organizational pattern. Example – If chronological order was used to create the text, but the author used transition words such as “mainly, weakest, least significant” that show degree of importance.

What might cause mistakes for this concept? A lack of transition words and phrases can reduce the reader’s understanding of the text. During revision, check for use of transition words and determine appropriate transitions that can enhance reader understanding.

What strategy can I use to edit my own work?  Use the chart to determine appropriate transition words and phrases.

What strategy can I use to edit my own work?  Identify transitions used within the your text. Determine their effectiveness and revise for clarity.  Transitional phrases and words are usually located:  in the beginning of the sentence: After lunch, we worked diligently.  between the subject and verb: We, after lunch, worked diligently.  or at the end of the sentence: We worked diligently after lunch.

What strategy can I use to edit my own work? Add transitions to your text to create a coherent, concise written piece.