Transitions Gina Striffolino English 393 9/28/2010

Content Explains the importance of transition words and its function Explains the importance of transition words and its function Provides examples of transitional expressions and how to utilize in writing Provides examples of transitional expressions and how to utilize in writing

Organization 1) Explains what this article is about 2) Talks about the function and importance of transitions 3) Provides some clues which indicate that you might need transitional expressions in the paper 4) Shows how to organize the essay before using transitional expressions

Organization Continue.. 5) Provides example on how transition works 6) Offers examples on the types of transitions 7) Presents examples of transitional expressions based on logical relationships

The function and importance of transitions When writing an essay, you want to clearly transfer your thoughts to the readers When writing an essay, you want to clearly transfer your thoughts to the readers Transitions aid in establishing logical connection in the writing Transitions aid in establishing logical connection in the writing Basically, transitions are “road signs” in your paper that show the audience how to think and react in particular way to your ideas Basically, transitions are “road signs” in your paper that show the audience how to think and react in particular way to your ideas

What are the signs that you might need to work on your transitions? Written comments such as "choppy," "jumpy," or "how is this related?" on your papers Written comments such as "choppy," "jumpy," or "how is this related?" on your papers Readers are having a problem following organization of the paper Readers are having a problem following organization of the paper You tend to write the way you think without organizing your thoughts You tend to write the way you think without organizing your thoughts You wrote your paper in several discrete "chunks" You wrote your paper in several discrete "chunks" Several people are working on a draft, which was created by attaching pieces of several people's writing together. Several people are working on a draft, which was created by attaching pieces of several people's writing together.

Rearranging paragraphs Instead of jumping right into adding transitions to your paper, you need to organize your paper first! Instead of jumping right into adding transitions to your paper, you need to organize your paper first! On the margin of the draft, summarize what that whole paragraph is about. On the margin of the draft, summarize what that whole paragraph is about. This will allow you to look at the bigger picture and enable you to rearrange the paragraphs clearly. This will allow you to look at the bigger picture and enable you to rearrange the paragraphs clearly. Then you can work on transitions! Then you can work on transitions!

How transition works Paragraph A : support the view that El Pais's new government is very democratic. Paragraph A : support the view that El Pais's new government is very democratic. Paragraph B : contradict the view that El Pais's new government is very democratic. Paragraph B : contradict the view that El Pais's new government is very democratic. Transition : Despite the previous arguments, there are many reasons to think that El Pais's new government is not as democratic as typically believed. Transition : Despite the previous arguments, there are many reasons to think that El Pais's new government is not as democratic as typically believed.

How transition works continue.. The transition words "Despite the previous arguments," suggest that the reader should not believe paragraph A and instead should consider the writer's reasons for viewing El Pais's democracy as suspect. The transition words "Despite the previous arguments," suggest that the reader should not believe paragraph A and instead should consider the writer's reasons for viewing El Pais's democracy as suspect. By using transitions, you offer the reader with essential information regarding the relationship between your ideas By using transitions, you offer the reader with essential information regarding the relationship between your ideas Remember! Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization easier to follow Remember! Transitions cannot substitute for good organization, but they can make your organization easier to follow

Three Types of Transitions Transitions between sections— Add transitional paragraphs that summarizes the previous section and specify the relevance of this information to the discussion in the following section. Transitions between sections— Add transitional paragraphs that summarizes the previous section and specify the relevance of this information to the discussion in the following section. Transitions between paragraphs — After rearranging the paragraphs, add transition to highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. Transitions between paragraphs — After rearranging the paragraphs, add transition to highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. --can use one or two words such as, however, for example, similarly, a phrase, or a sentence. --Places : at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places. Transitions within paragraphs — insert transitions to help readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. Transitions within paragraphs — insert transitions to help readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. -- tend to be single words or short phrases.

Transitional Expressions Here are some examples of transitional expressions that will aid the readers the kind of logical relationships you want to pass on. Here are some examples of transitional expressions that will aid the readers the kind of logical relationships you want to pass on.

LOGICAL RELATIONSHIPTRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION Similarityalso, in the same way, just as... so too, likewise, similarly Exception/Contrastbut, however, in spite of, on the one hand... on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet Sequence/Orderfirst, second, third,... next, then, finally Timeafter, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then Examplefor example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate Emphasiseven, indeed, in fact, of course, truly Place/Positionabove, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there Cause and Effectaccordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus Additional Support or Evidenceadditionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then Conclusion/Summaryfinally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary

Conclusion Good organization and content Good organization and content No confusion, straight forward No confusion, straight forward The article achieves its purpose by explaining in detail what transition is, how the writer can use it to make his or her writing smoother, and provides good examples of transitional expressions. The article achieves its purpose by explaining in detail what transition is, how the writer can use it to make his or her writing smoother, and provides good examples of transitional expressions. Great information Great information

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Thank you! Thank you! Questions?