2. Explore Your Topic

3. Simple Listing Items are randomly listed in a series of supporting facts or details. These supporting elements are of equal value, and the order in which they are presented is of no importance. Changing the order of the items does not change the meaning of the paragraph.

4. Signal words often used for simple listing are: in addition another for example also several a number of

5. Clustering Clustering is a way of seeing possible relationships among your ideas. It is easier to use this strategy if you have some sense of the main points you want to present.

6. Blank Clustering Form

7. Outline Begin your outline by writing your topic at the top of the page. Next, write the Roman numerals I, II, and III, spread apart down the left side of the page. Next to each Roman numeral, write the main ideas that you have about your topic, or the main points that you want to make. If you are trying to persuade, you want to write your best arguments. If you are trying to explain a process, you want to write the steps that should be followed. You will probably need to group these into categories. If you have trouble grouping the steps into categories, try using Beginning, Middle, and End. If you are trying to inform, you want to write the major categories into which your information can be divided. Under each Roman numeral, write A, B, and C down the left side of the page. Next to each letter, write the facts or information that support that main idea.

9. Using Transitions Idea Transition References © 2001 by Ruth Luman

10. Transitions Look at the two groups of sentences below. Which sentences read more smoothly? Click on an answer below. My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. He has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year. My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. In fact, he has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year.

11. Transitions What are transition words?

12. Transitions A transition word directly tells the reader the logical relationship between one idea and another idea. Idea Transition

13. Example Marcos loves to go swimming in the ocean. his parents won’t allow him to do that. ;however, The transition, however, tells the reader that the logical relationship between the two ideas is contrast.

14. Transitions Transitions are words that help make your writing more coherent. They create connections between: - one clause and another clause - one sentence and another sentence - one group of sentences and the next group of sentences

15. Joining Two Independent Clauses One way of joining two independent clauses is with a semicolon, a transition, and a comma. Marcos is a great swimmer he’s very good at scuba diving. ; furthermore, Marcos is a great swimmer ;furthermore, he’s very good at scuba diving.

16. Connecting Two Sentences You can use a transition and comma to tell the reader the logical relationship between two sentences. Marcos is very athletic. he plays three sports at school. In fact, Marcos is very athletic. In fact, he plays three sports at school.

17. Placement of Transition Rather than placing the transition at the beginning of the second sentence, you may place it in the middle of the second sentence after the subject with two commas. Marcos is very athletic. He, in fact, plays three sports at school. subject transition

18. Transitions in Longer Writing When writing a paragraph or a larger piece of writing,you can use a transition to show the reader the logical relationship between one group of sentences and another group of sentences. This is useful when you want to let the reader know that you are changing from one idea to another idea.

19. Example- Longer Piece of Writing Essay Introduction Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2: In addition, Body Paragraph 3: Furthermore, Conclusion: Transition connects ideas in paragraph 3 to ideas in paragraph 2. Transition connects ideas in paragraph 2 to ideas in paragraph 1.

20. Types of Transitions RelationshipTransition AdditionMoreover Furthermore In addition besides Marcos loves to ski ;moreover, ;furthermore, ;in addition, ;besides, he likes to fish.

21. Types of Transitions RelationshipTransition Reinforcement/EmphasisIndeed In fact Marcos plays basketball ;in fact, ;indeed, he plays every Saturday. The transition and second clause reemphasize the first clause.

22. Types of Transitions RelationshipTransition ExemplificationFor example For instance In particular Marcos enjoys outdoor sports ;for example, ;for instance, ;in particular, he likes hiking, skiing, and fishing. The second clause is more specific than the first.

23. Types of Transitions RelationshipTransition ContrastHowever On the contrary In contrast On the other hand Marcos enjoys scuba diving ;on the other hand, ;however, ;on the contrary, ;in contrast, I think it is an expensive sport. $$$

24. Types of Transitions RelationshipTransition Result or EffectConsequently Accordingly Thus Hence Therefore As a result Marcos broke his leg ;thus, ;consequently, ;therefore, ;hence, ;as a result, ;accordingly, he can’t play basketball.

25. Types of Transitions RelationshipTransition TimeMeanwhile (at the same time) Subsequently (after) Thereafter (after) Marcos scored a goal ;subsequently, ;thereafter, his team won the game. after

26. Practice Exercises Now you are ready to practice what you’ve learned. Click the link below to return to Unit D. Print and complete the Practice Exercise on transitions. Check your answers with a tutor.

27. Correct! Excellent! This sentence reads more smoothly because it contains a transition. Transition words connect ideas within and between sentences. My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. In fact, he has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year.

28. I’m Sorry! These sentence do not read as smoothly. These sentences contain no transitions to connect the ideas to each other. Go back to learn more about using transition words. My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. He has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year. No transition words to connect ideas.