This document discusses the use of transitions in writing. It explains that transitions are used to show logical relationships within and between sentences. Some common thought patterns used in writing are time order, space order, listing patterns, and classification patterns. Each thought pattern is organized differently and uses specific transition words to link ideas and guide the reader. The document provides examples of different thought patterns and lists common transition words used for each pattern type.

1. GEEN 1202 – Prof. M. Rivera
Information based on The Effective Reader by D. J. Henry

2. Transitions are used to show the logical relationships within a
sentence and between sentences.
1. join ideas within a sentence (within)
2. establish thought patterns (between)
Some transition words have similar meaning but can serve as
two different types of transitions (all depends on how it is
used).
Transitions within a sentence usually show the relationship
between the main idea stated in the sentence and supportive
arguments.

3. Examples (taken from the book):
1. Travis has maintained his ideal weight for over two years
___because____ he changed his lifestyle.
2. Substance abuse on college campuses is nothing new, __but__
it is taking more extreme and dangerous form.

4.  The first thing you should do is to learn to find the relationship between sentences.
 Decide weather that relationship is based upon time, logic, space order, and so on.
 The relationship between sentences is based upon though patterns (or patterns of organization)
 These though patterns allow readers to arrange the information in a smooth and clear way bi
inserting transitions.
 Basic thought patters are
 Time order
 Space order
 Listing pattern
 Classification pattern
(Practice) Read and Complete “The Landscape of Taste”

5.  Generally shows a chain of events
 These are usually shown in the way the action or event occur
 Two types of time order are:
 Narration 
 Organize in order of important events
 Process 
 Is used to give direction to a task in time order

6.  Transitions in time describe when things occur
 It follows a logical order based on time
Transitions of Time Order
After
Afterward
As
Before
Currently
During
Eventually
Finally
First
Last
Later
Meanwhile
Next
Now
Often
Previously
Second
Since
Soon
then
Ultimately
Until
When
while
Practice

7.  For stages, steps, or directions, the pattern is given to complete a task
Example:
1. Follow five simple steps to develop and deepen your friendships.
2. Procrastination recurs in a cycle of self destruction.
3. Grief moves through several stages.
Step 1: xxx
Step 2: yyy
Step 3: zzz
y x
A • Leads
x y
to B
B • Leads
to C
C •Final
Product

8. (Take a look at the transitions stated in the book)
Practice

9.  Allows a person, place, or thing be described based on its
locations.
 It is also know as spatial order
 It uses descriptive details
 It uses a logical order to rearrange descriptions from top to
bottom, bottom to top, left to right or vice versa, and so on.

10.  Transition words of space order signal that the details follow a logical
order is based on two elements:
 How the object, place, or thing is arranged in space.
 The starting point from which the author chooses to begin the description.
Transitions Words of Space Order
(Take a look at the transition words stated in the book)
Practice

11.  Listing patterns are established by the author.
 Changing them does not change the meaning.
 Are used to list a series or reasons, details, or points.
 These transitions can classify based on a specific order, or characteristics
Check out transitions words presented in the book
Practice

12.  It is used to sort ideas into smaller groups and describe the traits of each group.
 Those smaller groups are called “subgroups”
 Because groups and subgroups are used in this patters, transitions are used to add
information.
 Some transitions indicate classes or groups
Check out the concept map, along with the transitions used in
the classification pattern.

13.  These authors often use transitions to make the relationship
between ideas clear and easy to understand.
They often use more than one type of transition
 Be aware and look for the author's primary thought pattern.