TransitionsFunction, Importance, How They Work, Types

Adapated from The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Function

Your goal in academic writing should be to convey information clearly and concisely.

Transitions function within this domain by establishing logical connections between sentences and paragraphs.

They can be signal words, phrases, or full sentences.

They help the writer and the reader organize the information presented.

Importance

Transitions provide the reader a road map to your writing. They allow the reader to piece together your ideas into a logical coherent argument.

They embellish your writing by making it not only sound better, but read better.

They help your ideas fit together. They are the glue that make your sentences and paragraphs into one solid piece.

Red Flags

How do you know your paper needs transitions? Here are some clues:

Have you ever had a teacher tell you your writing is “choppy”, “jumpy”, “all over the place” or that it doesn’t “flow?”

You tend to write the way you think – and your brain often jumps around from one idea to another pretty quickly

How They Work

Transitions can be a single word, a phrase, or an entire sentence.

The transition can either directly summarize the information already presented OR it can imply a summary by reminding the reader what was already stated.

The transition also helps the reader to anticipate what is coming next

Transitions Between Paragraphs

If you have done a good job of arranging paragraphs so that the content of one leads logically to the next, the transition will highlight a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the next paragraph.

Transitions can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places.

Transitions Within Paragraphs

Transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers anticipate what is coming next

Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases

TypesLogical Relationship Transition

Exception/Contrast however, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, still, yet, but

Similarity also, in the same way, just as, likewise

Time afterward, during, meanwhile, recently, subsequently, later earlier

Example namely, specifically, to illustrate, for instance, for example,

Additional Support for Evidence additionally, equally important, furthermore moreover, in addition

Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly

Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus

Conclusion/Summary finally, on the whole, in summary, thus

Examples

…This created a big flaw in the court system because it enabled the men and women to be considered innocent and come out alive which is a huge problem as to why almost none of the men and women were courageous.

The main character, Abigail, is the person throughout the whole book who has the least amount of courage.

*In addition to the accused who lacked the conviction to die for what they believed in, the reader is introduced to Abigail Williams, a morally bankrupt young lady who cannot manage to summon a speck of courage.

Examples

…Abigail doesn’t care about anyone, she is extremely selfish and wants John Proctor all to herself. She doesn’t care that John and Elizabeth have children, she wants John all to herself.

Once Hale come to town and the girls tell him the so-called truth about witchcraft in Salem, the reader sees Abigail as demanding.

*To further illustrate Abby’s selfishness, the reader sees her lying to Hale about what happened in the woods the night she danced with Tituba and the others.

Examples

…She is manipulating the girls into telling only part of the story to save herself. She threatens to hurt them if they do tell anyone about the incident.

Another adjective I would use to describe Abigail Williams is jealous.

*You do this one…Take two minutes to think and one to write. Get ready to share…

Examples

…Through the theme of moral courage, a character can truly find themselves and stand up for what they believe in.

John Proctor is one of the most complex characters in The Crucible, and is constantly dealing with his inner conflict whilst trying to keep true to his morals.

*You do this one…Take two minutes to think and one to write. Get ready to share…

Your Score

Without effective transitions, you cannot have a…

“well organized and focused essay, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas” (SAT

score 5)

But you may have an essay that…

“demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas” (SAT score 2)