1. Transitions (Signal Words)

2. Transition signals

3. Transition (Signal Words):
Connect words or phrases
Act as signposts
Strengthen the internal cohesion

4. Three types of Transition signals
- transition phrases
- conjunctive adverbs
1. Sentence Connectors
2. Clause connectors
3. Others
coordinating conjunctions
subordinating conjunctions

5. 1. Sentence Connectors (transition phrases & conjunctive adverbs)
Appear in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
A coma is needed.
Example:
For example, the Baltic Sea (, for example) in Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Rea Sea in the Middle East (, for example).

6. Conjunction Adverbs:
Often used with a semicolon and a comma to join two independent clauses.
Examples:
In warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly; therefore, its net profit declined.
Some English words do not have exact equivalents in other languages; for example, there is no German word for the adjective fair, as in fair play.

7. 2. Clause Connectors Coordinating conjunctions
Used with a comma to join two independent clauses and to form a compound sentence.
Examples:
In a matriarchy, the mother is the head of the family, and all of the children belong to her clan.
In warm climate zones, water evaporates, so the concentration of salt is greater.

8. Yet and But: Yet and But an opposite idea is coming.
Yet: preferred when the 2nd clause is an unexpected or surprising contrast to the 1st clause.
But: preferred when the 2 clauses are direct oppositions.
Yet is similar in meaning to “nevertheless”.
But is similar to “however”.
Examples:
Thomas Edison dropped out of school at age 12, yet he became a famous inventor.
I want to study art, but my parents want me to become an engineer.

9. Subordinating conjunctions
Used to introduce a dependent clause, which is joined to form a complex sentence.
Position: use a comma if the DC comes before the IC; do not use a comma if the DC comes after the IC.
Examples:
Although the company’s sale increased last year, its net profit declined.
The company’s net profit declined last year although its sales increased.

10. 3. Others Indicating transition:
additional (adj.); despite (prep.); examples (n.).
Examples:
An additional reason for the firm’s bankruptcy was the lack of competent management.
Examples of vocabulary differences between British and American English include petrol/gasoline, windscreen/windshield, and lorry/truck.
Despite increased sales, the company’s profit declined last quarter.

11. Common Transition Signals

12. To introduce an opposite idea, and to contrast things
Meaning / function
Sentence connectors
Clause connectors
Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators
Subordinators
To introduce a similar additional idea
also
besides
furthermore
in addition
moreover
too
and
nor (and not)
another
an additional
To compare things
likewise
similarly
both…and
not only…but also
neither…nor as
just as
as…as
like/alike
just like
similar to
be alike
be similar
To introduce an opposite idea, and to contrast things
however
in contrast
instead
in/by comparison
nevertheless
on the other hand
on the contrary
still
but
yet
although
even though
though
whereas
while
despite
in spite of
compared to/with
be different (from)
be dissimilar
be unlike
differ (from)

13. to introduce an alternative
Meaning / function
Sentence connectors
Clause connectors
Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators
Subordinators
To introduce an example
For example
For instance
In this case
such as
like
an example of
to demonstrate
take the case of
To emphasize
In fact
To explain and restate
Indeed (really, certainly)
That is
to introduce an alternative
otherwise or If
unless

14. Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators
Subordinators
To indicate time
thereafter
then
soon
at that time
at this point
Immediately
before, after
during
prior to
formerly
finally
Previously
To signal chronological order
first, second, then, next…
first of all, now, soon
last, finally
meanwhile
gradually
after that
since then
after as
as soon as
before
since
until
when
while
the first, the second
the next, the last, the final
before lunch
after the war
since 1990
in the year 2008
(any time expression)

15. Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators
Subordinators
To indicate order of important
above all
first and foremost
more/most importantly/ significantly
primarily
a more important
the most important
the second most significant
the primary
To introduce a cause or reason
consequently
therefore
for this purpose
for
because
since as
result from
be the result of
due to
because of
the effect of
the consequence of
as a result of
as a consequence of

16. Meaning / function Sentence connectors Clause connectors Others
(adj, verb, prep)
Coordinators
Subordinators
To introduce an effect or result
Accordingly
As a result
As a consequence
Consequently
Hence, thus
Therefore so
result in
cause
have an effect on
affect
the cause of
the reason for
To conclude
All in all
In brief
In conclusion
In short
In summary
In deed
accordingly
It is clear that…
We can see that…
The evidence suggests that…
These examples show that…

17. Sample Text
Sample text: