1. Mustang Minute December 4, 2012
Tell me about your favorite holiday (Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, 4th of July, etc.). Why is this your favorite holiday? What do you do to celebrate? What makes it so special? Tell me a story about an experience with this holiday.
Make sure your Story #4 rough draft is stapled, name/date/period on it, and ready to be turned in. *Remember if you turned it in yesterday you’re off the hook. 

2. Transition Words & Phrases
Guiding readers to your next idea clearly. The GPS of writing.

3. The Basics
Transitions are words or phrases that are like a bridge between ideas. They keep the reader from getting lost and confused.
Transitions are most often found at the beginning of sentences; however, they can occur within the sentence itself.
Transition words and phrases act as “bridges” that can:
incorporate commonly used words (So; By this time)
help lead the reader to the next event (Suddenly, Immediately)
alert the reader that additional information is forthcoming to support what has already been stated (Next... then...);
introduce a contrasting idea (But, However, On the other hand)

4. Lots of Transitions Adding meaning Contrasting meaning
Concluding meaning
Comparing
Adding additional detail
Summarazing
Indicating sequence (logical)
Expressing opinion
Indicating Sequence in time
Same time
Earlier time
Now
Later time

5. Keep in mind
When using transitions, keep in mind that there are subtle differences between transitional words and phrases on the same list.
If you are unsure about the precise meaning of a particular word or phrase, consult your dictionary or ask your teacher.
Also, while transitions do help to connect ideas in an essay, too many transitions can make writing seen overly formal or stilted.
Certain transitions such as hence, moreover, thus, and subsequently may make your writing sound too formal or artificial, which can be distracting to a reader.
Formal transitions should be avoided in personal writing and used judiciously even in formal writing. 

6. Transition Practice – Part 1
Follow along on your copy of the story as I read.
Did you notice that certain words were missing?
The missing words are transition words. They provide a bridge between ideas.
We use transition words to help make our ideas more clear to the reader and to develop the story in an organized manner.
Choose the appropriate transition or “bridge” word from your list for each of the blanks on your copy of the story I just read.

7. Collection Story Brainstorm
Something that means something to you that you could tell several short stories about.
a favorite sport/activity,
a favorite person,
a favorite subject,
a favorite place,
etc.
Then brainstorm 3-4 short experiences associated with this item/person/etc.
Example: