The document discusses the use of transitions in writing to improve coherence and flow. It provides examples of different types of transition words and phrases that can be used to link ideas between sentences and paragraphs. These include time and location transitions, thought transitions that clarify or reinforce ideas, compare/contrast transitions, and transitions that add or sum up information. The document concludes by encouraging readers to practice using transitions to combine sentences in a passage about mobile phones and the benefits and drawbacks of their use.

1. Transition Words
and Phrases
IGCSE Summer Class
2/7/15

2. Coherence in writing occurs
through sentence-to-sentence
connections, when transitions are
used to link ideas. Texts that are
coherent progress logically and
hold the reader's attention
throughout the piece. Coherent
writing is better writing!

3. Transitions and flow
 Transition words and phrases are used
by writers to move from one subject to
the next.
 They provide coherence to a story or
text.
 They signal the reader about what is
coming next in the writing.

4. They can help writers bridge the
gap between ideas so that writing
sounds smooth, not choppy.
They organize our writing and
make it easier to read.
 Transitions give our writing
flow.

5. For example:
Take these two sentences:
Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi.
He does not want sushi today.
Using transition words, you can put these two
together to make one smooth sentence instead
of two choppy ones.
(Also a transition, btw…)

6. Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi.
He does not want sushi today.
Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi; however,
he does not want sushi today.
This sentence sounds better and
is much easier to read!

7. Some transitions have specific
jobs in a sentence. They may help
show sequencing or time, show
location, continue an idea, clarify
or add information, compare and
contrast two or more things, or sum
up information to lead to a
conclusion.

8. Location transitions show where things are.
You may recognize some of these as
prepositions and prepositional phrases.
above below under
here there where
from near down
in the background in the middle
to the left/right in front of
in the distance opposite to

9. Time transitions show order or when
something happens. Some examples:
first meanwhile
finally in the meantime
before before long
after that at last
afterwards as soon as
at first later
then next

10. Time and location transitions
After so much time waiting in the long line, the boys finally got
their hamburgers.
The Van Gogh art exhibit was shown earlier this month in
Dallas.
Wait until tonight, then you will be able to see the full moon over
the city hall.
The show is not over until the actors take their final bows.
While Missy was driving to work, she saw a deer by the
roadside. She stopped to watch the deer for a short time, then
continued on her way to work.

11. Sarah saw the new student.
She recognized her.
They had gone to the same summer camp.
Sarah gave her new classmate a hug.
Sarah introduced the new student to her
fellow classmates.
Insert transitions to combine
these sentences:

12. Thought Transitions may reinforce ideas,
assert truth, show cause, and repeat or clarify
information for the reader.
also furthermore
because for example
suddenly without warning
mainly even though
in other words certainly
in fact of course
to put it another way
which, if I must say so myself

13. Transitions that clarify, repeat,
show cause, assert truth, or
reinforce ideas:
Naturally Simone is going to love the idea of selling cupcakes
at school. In fact, she wants to be a baker when she grows up.
Midnight was not able to move around well because his hind
legs are in casts from when he suddenly fell off the bookshelf.
Not all birds eat berries. For example, hawks eat mice and
other small mammals.
Sally has lost one of the oars on her boat. To put it another
way, she is up the creek without a paddle!

14. Compare/Contrast transitions tell a reader
that the writer is comparing ideas or
shifting from one idea to another. Instead
of the word BUT to connect ideas, try using
one of these examples:
However Rather
Yet Nevertheless
Conversely On the other hand
Otherwise (means the same as “or”)

15. Compare and contrast transitions
Although Marcos was extremely tired after school, he ran two
miles.
Willow prefers to read the book rather than seeing the movie.
I am not able to go the beach with you; nevertheless, thank you so
much for asking me.
The cat acts as if he is the boss of the house.
Like her grandmother, Sally loves the Texas Longhorns.

16. Ms. Cox likes to ride rollercoasters.
Mr. Duncan prefers spinning rides.
He is afraid of heights.
Mr. Duncan rides the Titan.
He screams like a little girl.
Insert transitions to combine
these sentences:

17. Some transitions can help when
adding information. Instead of using
AND, try using one of these:
additionally in addition
furthermore also
as well as besides
likewise similarly
accordingly another reason

18. Transitions that add information:
Jackson baked a cake to celebrate his mom's graduation from
college. In addition, he helped his sister decorate for the party.
I admire Martin Luther King because he stood up for civil
rights. Besides that, he was an amazing public speaker.
Furthermore, he was a dedicated family man.
We will be here for one more week so we can attend the party.
Another reason we are staying longer is because we don't
want to miss Edgefest.
Crystal likes camping in the mountains. Also, she is an
experienced camper.

19. Transitions may sum up information
to show a concluding idea. Instead of
using SO to conclude information, try
using:
finally therefore
thus for example
consequently hence
as a result for this reason
to sum up in conclusion

20. Transitions that sum up or
conclude information:
The smoke machine malfunctioned, and curtains wouldn't open
properly, and the lead actor was sick. In conclusion, the play
was a total disaster.
The committee discussed many problems at the meeting.
Finally, we were able to prioritize the issues that most needed
to be solved.
To conclude, I want to wish you all a very happy holiday!

21. Chris plays soccer in a select league.
He plays forward for his team.
He has a dream of going pro one day.
Chris practices four days a week.
He is on the debate team at school.
His afternoons are very busy.
Insert transitions to
combine these sentences:

22. Transitions words and phrases
Use this word bank to combine sentences and connect ideas.
finally therefore thus above below under
here also furthermore because thus
for example suddenly in fact without warning
hence as a result besides of course even though
certainly mainly for this reason
in addition similarly naturally likewise in conclusion
additionally as well accordingly where first, second…
near consequently from meanwhile in other words
at last in the middle before before long
After that afterwards as soon as at first another reason
Later at last next conversely to put it another way
However nevertheless then which, if I must say so myself
rather than yet to sum up in the background
to the left/right in the meantime in front of on the other hand
in conclusion otherwise (means the same as “or”)
opposite to opposite from nonetheless logically
for this reason moreover although primarily in so far as

23. LET’S PRACTICE
Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of
the following passage.
2/7/15

24. OPTIONS
Sometimes
Furthermore
Finally
Lastly However
But
Yet
So
Therefore
Now
Nowadays
Thus
In fact
For example
Firstly
Secondly
Besides
Moreover

25. Mobile phone has added a new dimension in our
communication system. It has made the world closer to us.
(a) —— it has made worldwide communication easier. We
use it for our day to day communication. (b) ——, it has
been a part and parcel in our life as we cannot go for a
single day without using it. We use it for rapid
communication. (c) ——, mobile phone is not free from
defect. It has some negative sides as well. (d) ——,
excessive use of mobile phone may damage our hearing
power. (e) ——, it is a means of money wastage. (f) ——, it
is seen that many underworld crimes are being done with
the use of mobile network. (g) ——, the radiation from
mobile phone may cause cancer to the users. (h) ——, we
are not aware of these harmful effects. (i) ——, we are not
aware of using the mobile phone. (j) ——, we must have to
be conscious of the negative impact of mobile phone.

26. ■ Answer:
(a) Now/ Nowadays
(b) So/ Thus/ In fact
(c) However
(d) For example/
Firstly
(e) Secondly/
Besides/ Moreover
(f) Sometimes
(g) Furthermore/
Finally/ Lastly
(h) However
(i) But/ Yet
(j) So/ Therefore/
Thus