This document discusses different types of transitions that can be used when writing, including transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. Transitions help link ideas and guide the reader from one subject to another. Example transitions include words like "although," "furthermore," and "in addition." The document provides lists of common transition words that can be used for purposes like comparison, time, location, and emphasis. It also gives examples of integrating effective transitions between sentences and paragraphs to improve coherence and flow.

1. The Three Transition Types Between Sentences, Transition Words, and Between Paragraphs: this equals….. Smooth Writing!

2. What is a Transition? In writing, a transition is a word, group of words or sentence that leads your reader from one subject to another. Think of transitions as the links that hold together a chain – without the links, nothing would hold the chair together and the pieces would fall apart!

3. Transitions Between Sentences There are times when our sentences are only partly related and so its helpful to “seal the deal” by truly connecting the ideas. Example of a place that needs a transition: My mom is constantly yelling at me to clean up my room. I was not prepared to live on my own.

4. Make a Transition! Problem: My mom is constantly yelling at me to clean up my room. I was not prepared to live on my own. Potential solution: My mom is constantly yelling at me to clean up my room. She said this was an example as to why I was not prepared to live on my own. Or Another solution: My mom is constantly yelling at me to clean up my room. Indeed she was right, and I was not prepared to live on my own.

5. Another Example: Where is the Problem? I had my first date with John last night. We went to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. When I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by 6 pm at night. John and I went to see the movie “Gladiator,” which was a very good movie.

6. Possible Solution I had my first date with John last night. We went to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend. That night, John and I went to see the movie “Gladiator,” which was a very good movie.

7. Transition Words Sometimes we only need a word to offer a good transition. “For example,” is an example! Common transition words (but do not over do them!) are on the next few pages:

8. Transitions to help emphasize a point Again, the main issue is, to emphasize, indeed, truly, to repeat, surprising, in fact, frequently, for this reason, the point often overlooked . . . .

9. Transitions to Show Location: Above, across, against, along, down, beyond, between, outside, over, beside, into, near, throughout, among, amid . . .

10. Transitions to Compare Items: Accordingly, also, comparable to, just as, often, likewise, similarly, like, in the same way, in the same manner, in conjunction with . . .

11. Transitions to Contrast Items Although, as opposed to, but, however, conversely, counter to, even so, even though, on the other hand, otherwise, still and yet….

12. Transitions to Show Time: About, after, afterward, as soon as, at, at the same time, before, during, finally, first, immediately, in the meantime, later, last, meanwhile, next, next week, next time, next year, prior to, yesterday, today . . . .

13. Transactions to Clarify For example, for instance, in other words, put another way, that is, simply stated, to clarify, to illustrate . . .

14. Transitions to Conclude or Summarize Accordingly, all in all, as a result, consequently, lastly, thus, in the last analysis, therefore, in short, finally, due to, in closing . . . . This is an awesome page on the many different kinds of transition words you can use: http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/sixtrait/organization/transitions.html

15. Transitions Between Paragraphs Transitions are also needed to link your paragraph topics. They help ease your reader into the next topic.

16. Example of problem paragraphs – what is wrong? I had my first date with John last night. We went to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend. In 2005, I was dating Billy. He was a nice guy but also a bit clueless. We never went out anywhere because Billy only liked to stay home, watch TV and play video games!

17. Possible Fix: I had my first date with John last night. We went to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend. Although John and I did not work out, at least he took me out to do things. In 2005, I was dating Billy. He was a nice guy but also a bit clueless. We never went out anywhere because Billy only liked to stay home, watch TV and play video games!

18. Final note on transactions between paragraphs Your transition can occur in either paragraph, as long as it makes sense! So, lets look at a final solution for that last example

19. Transition in the 1 st Paragraph I had my first date with John last night. We went to dinner, and a movie, and I did not get home until after one in the morning. I felt so grown up staying out so late at night, with no one to tell me that I had to go home. I remember when I was eight years old, my mom told me that I had to be home by six at night. However, I was no longer eight years old, but twenty and on a date with my boyfriend. I was sad when John and I broke up, because we always did fun things together; not like my next boyfriend, Billy. In 2005, I was dating Billy Pastor. He was a nice guy, but also a bit clueless. We never went out anywhere because Billy only liked to stay home, watch TV and play video games!