5. Transitions: But why?
When do we use them?
in between different ideas
beginning and end of paragraphs
in midst of paragraph that contains multiple points
Why are they important?
build relationship between supporting arguments
help reader to understand your organization
why you’re moving from this idea to that idea
6. Examples
Comparing
Similarly
Likewise
In support of this idea
Another example of this
phenomenon
In relation to this issue
Contrasting
However
On the other end of the
spectrum
On the other hand
In contrast to
In opposition to this idea
7. • PULL OUT YOUR ARTICLES AND
UNDERLINE/HIGHLIGHT THE
TRANSITIONS
• DISCUSS WITH YOUR GROUP
HOW THE PHRASES SUPPORT
THE ARTICLE AND HELPED YOUR
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s Practice
8. More Practice:
What transitional phrase would be best for the
following:
In the previous paragraph, you wrote how you agree with the
statements about love the author made, but now you are going
to disagree with one of his statements.
In the previous paragraph, you wrote about what you think
about love. You are going to continue to talk about love in the
next paragraph
You start your paragraph discussing the author’s view and now
you want to give a specific example of his theory.
9. P U T T I N G A N E N D T O Y O U R E S S A Y
Conclusions
10. What is it?
Purpose
tie all the ends up
add a sense of closure
Placement
at the very, very end
last thought to leave your reader with
Length
one whole paragraph
5-7 sentences
11. Let’s Consult the Authorities
Purdue Owl says,
“It is important to have a strong conclusion, since this
is the last chance you have to make an impression on
your reader. The goal of your conclusion isn’t to
introduce any new ideas, but to sum up everything
you’ve written.”
Purdue Owl
12. Three Main Goals of a Conclusion
Three major goals:
Restate the main idea of your essay, or your thesis
statement
Summarize the main points of your essay
Leave the reader with an interesting final
impression
13. The “Do”s and “Don’t”s
DO
remind reader of thesis
revisit ideas from body
end on a bang
DON’T
introduce new info
restate your thesis word
for word
copy and paste your intro
similar content but
different purposes
Purdue Owl says
14. Practice Makes Perfect
Here’s a strong concluding paragraph:
“Getting a better job is a goal that I would really like to accomplish in the
next few years. Finishing school will take me a long way to meeting this
goal. To meet my goal, I will also prepare my résumé and search for jobs.
My goal may not be an easy one to achieve, but things that are worth
doing are often not easy.” (Purdue Owl)
Based on this example, can you guess what the thesis was?
Can you tell what the body paragraphs were about?
15. All Together Now!
Refer back to your articles and look at the
conclusions.
Are they successful? Why or why not?
Do they refer back to anything in the introduction?
