Transitions
are words and phrases that show connections between ideas.
There are six commons types of transitions:
1.
Words that show addition:
first, first of all, one, second, third, also, another, in addition,
next, finally. (The speaker gives one point, and then adds another
and another.).
To
be successful in college, students need to keep several things in mind.
First of all, to succeed, students need to learn to
take good notes during class and while reading textbooks.
Secondly, they should develop good study habits.
Finally, to be successful, students should turn in all homework
and assignments.
A paragraph that is mainly
giving examples of something is referred to as a List of Items Pattern of
Organization and makes use of addition words.
2.
Words that show time: first,
second, after, next, during, in the past, before, earlier, often, following,
later, afterward, then, since, while, as.
First,
dig a hole about 6 inches deep; next, remove the tomato plant from its
container. Place
the tomato plant in the hole and then place earth into the hole, tamping
the earth down firmly around the plant.
Afterward, fertilize and water the tomato plant.
A paragraph that is mainly telling about something that happens or happened in a chronological order is referred to as a Time Order Pattern of Organization and makes use of time words.
3.
Words that show contrast: in
contrast, differ, even though, on the other hand, however, although, despite,
nevertheless, yet, instead, unlike, but.
Unlike
Sasha, who is shy, Misha is very outspoken.
Sasha is shy; in contrast, Misha is very outspoken.
Sasha is shy; however, Misha is very outspoken.
Despite being shy, Sasha gave a confident speech
Although Sasha is shy, he gave a confident speech.
__________________________________________________________________________
4.
Words that show comparison:
like, similarly, just as, equal, equally,
identical, likewise, in the same way, similar, alike, comparable, the same as.
Sasha and Misha are equally intelligent.
Sasha is
bright; likewise, Misha is bright.
Sasha and Misha are similar in their love for reading.
Just
as Sasha enjoys swimming,
Misha loves the pool.
5.
Words that show illustration (otherwise known as example): for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, once,
including.
There
are films I’ve enjoyed enough to see more than once, such as Life is
Beautiful and The Parent
Trap.
I
love Mexican food, including chile rellenos and tacos.
Misha
likes pulling practical jokes.
Once, she set the dinner table with dribble glasses and everyone
got water dribbled on their laps.
6.
Words that show cause-and-effect:
because, cause, lead to, as a result,
effect, so, reason, since, therefore, thus, on account of, consequently.
Because
Misha had a cold, she missed the picnic.
Misha
had a cold; therefore, she missed the picnic.
Misha
had a cold; consequently, she missed the picnic.
The
reason Misha missed the picnic is because she had a cold.