• 4.1: Transitions

      • 4.1.1: Writing Transitions

        • The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: "Transitions" Page

          Throughout this course, you have been learning techniques for writing effective sentences and combining ideas into well-organized paragraphs. First, you mastered the basic elements of complete sentences in Unit 1. Next, you practiced combining ideas in Unit 2. After that, you learned to connect ideas through effective use of punctuation in Unit 3. Now that you have mastered these techniques, you will learn how to use transitional words and phrases to signal relationships between ideas to your readers. Then you will practice the art of summary, which is also part of creating effective transitions in your writing.

          The previous paragraph employed transitional words and summary to introduce the material covered in this unit. Read this article about organizing your writing with transitions, then complete the practice activities at the bottom of the page in which you will use transitional phrases, which can find answers to on the "Transitions" Answer Key. When you have finished, test yourself again by re-reading the paragraph above and identifying the transitional words.

      • 4.1.2: Transitional Devices

        • The Pennsylvania State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences: Joe Schall's "Transition Words" Page

          Refer to the chart for more transitional words and expressions. Once you have looked over the chart, practice by writing a paragraph that explains why transitions are important for communicating effectively in writing. Try to use transitions from at least three of the categories listed on the chart when writing your paragraph. 

        • Allison Schroll's "Transitional Devices" Page

          You have already seen many examples of transitions that signal different types of relationships between ideas. This resource provides a list of transitional words and expressions to signal the following types of logical relationships:

          • addition
          • cause and effect
          • comparison
          • concession
          • contrast
          • special features or examples
          • summary
          • time relationships

          Before following the link, test your knowledge of transitions by writing down as many transitional words and phrases as you can think of for each of the logical relationships in the list above. When you have done so, follow the link to see some more examples. Make note of any transitional words or phrases that are new to you.