Using Transitions When You Write
Using Transitions When You Write:
Lesson Objectives
* To understand the purpose of transitions
* To use different types of transitions
* To revise writing to include transitions
What are Transitions?
* If you have ever tried to find your way around a new place, you know how helpful street signs can be. They tell you where to go, how to find places, and what to do next.
* Transitions are the street signs of writing—they help your readers get from one place to another as they read.
What are Transitions?
* When you don’t use transitions, readers get lost.
* They have no signs to show them the route.
* Transitions guide your readers through your ideas and keep them from getting confused. This can help your readers understand your main point.
Here are some Common Transitions:
* Ian loves to stargaze. He also love to read about astronomy.
* The pipe was leaking; finally Lee fixed it.
* Di hit the softball, and then she ran to first base.
* Dan and Sure ate early. Likewise, Tina did, too.
* Arnie reads comics although his sister does not.
* Shane hates painting mainly because it makes such a mess.
* Ai took the birdfeeder down because it was empty.
* The store was open late since many people shopped there.
What are Transitions?
* As you know, transitions are words and phrases that link related ideas. Transitions connect ideas within sentences, across sentences, and across paragraphs.
* The room was a mess because Trevor was in a hurry. He decided to clean it even though he knew that he would have quite a bit of homework.
* The sun shone brightly and the sky was clear. In spite of this, weather forecasters predicted dangerous storms. Before the evening was over, a large bank of clouds had formed in the west.
* Adult ladybugs have strange markings. Their bright red color shows up quite well for insect-eating animals. Nonetheless, their coloring warns predators away. Research shows that ladybugs taste horrible. However, I’ve never eaten on so I wouldn’t know.
More Commonly Used Transitions
* Here are some commonly used transitions
* Also
* Although
* On the other hand
* So that
* To begin with
* Above as a result
* Eventually
* Washing my dog Henry is my least favorite chore in the world. Although, it is necessary to keep the dog clean, I wish I weren’t the one who always had to do it.
* To begin with, Henry hates getting a bath. He runs and hides when he sees me coming with the hose. He also tries to escape once I have him all lathered up with his dog shampoo. Eventually, I end up just as wet as Henry.
Identifying Transitions
* You have learned that transitions guide readers from one idea to the next.
* Read the paragraph and identify the transition.
* Last month, I went to the library to do some research. I noticed that many of the library books were old. As a result, I decided to organize a bake sale to raise money to buy new books.
* The brownies were delicious.
* We raised enough money to subscribe to an online encyclopedia.
Types of Transitions
* There are many different situations in which a transition is needed.
* Certain transitions can be used in certain situations.
* When you use a transition, make sure that you choose the one that clearly shows how your ideas are related.
Transitions for Comparing
* Some transitions are best for comparing ideas—that is, showing how they are similar. Some examples of comparison transitions are:
* Also
* And
* Moreover
* Too
* Similarly
* Another
* I cannot wait for soccer to begin. I love the nonstop action and the excitement of the game. I also love being a part of the team.
* Explanation: The words “also” and “and” show that ideas are similar. They are all reasons the author loves soccer.
Transitions for Contrasting
* Some transitions are helpful for contrasting ideas—showing the differences between them.
* Some contrasting transitions include:
* Although
* Still
* Yet
* But
* On the other hand
* My brother thinks that I spend too much time cleaning my room. Although he may have a point, I could never live in a room as messy as his. On the other hand, he keeps his drawers very neat, and mine are a mess.
* Explanation: “Although” and “on the other hand” show that the writer and his brother have different attitudes toward keeping their room clean.
Transitions for Comparing and Contrasting
* As you know, some transitions are used to show the similarities or differences between ideas. Decide whether the transitions below are showing comparisons or contrasts.
* Caryn went to the doctor. Likewise, Lewis visited the doctor for a bad cough.
* Jane loves orange juice. On the other hand, Cynthia likes flavored water better.
* Seattle is known for its rainy weather. Similarly, the weather in Portland is rainy.
Other Types of Transitions
* Other transitions can be used to show cause and effect relationships, describe order of importance, or indicate spatial relationships.
* Cause and Effect Relationships:
* For
* Since
* As a result
* Therefore
* So that
* Show that an action caused or was caused by another.
* Example: When my friends Julia and Caroline slept over on Friday night, we stayed up all night. As a result, I slept all day on Saturday.
* Order of Importance Relationships:
* First
* Last
* To begin with
* Mainly
* More importantly
* May be used to rank one idea’s importance in relation to other ideas.
* Example: There are many reasons to do community service. To begin with, it lets you experience new challenges. More importantly, you are helping others, so everyone feels great.
* Spatial Relationships:
* These transitions describe location and help readers visualize a scene.
* Above
* Across
* Over
* Here
* There
* Inside
* Behind
* Example: From the outside, the little house appeared perfectly neat and tidy. Inside, it was another story.
Using Transitions
* It is important to choose transitions carefully. Be sure that the transitions you use clearly show how your ideas are related.
* Cause and Effect Relationships: The sun is shining; therefore, I am feeling good.
* Contrast: Although the sun is shining, I’m feeling good.
* Comparison: The sun is shining, and I’m feeling good.
Transitions That Show Sequence of Time
* Some transitions show relationships that are based on time order.
* Before
* Earlier
* While
* Eventually
* At once
* Finally
* Earlier this month I started taking drum lessons. Eventually, I’m hoping to be good enough to join the school’s marching band.
* Explanation: “Earlier” tells when the writer started taking drum lessons. “Eventually” indicates that he knows that he will have to continue his lessons before he can join the marching band.
Using Transitions Correctly
* In your writing, it is important to choose the correct transitions for each type of relationship, certain transitions may work better than others.
* Rewrite each sentence using an appropriate transition.
* Ollie decided to cook dinner: _____ he opened a can of peas.
* Lela opened the window _____ the house could air out.
* The plane was delayed for two hours; _____ we were able to board.
* Julia watched the people in the park; _____, happy birds chirped loudly.
Revising With Transitions
* Transitions not only help show relationships between ideas, but they can also help you fix short, choppy sentences.
* Read each passage, and decide if transitions are needed.
* Julia crept quietly across the room. She didn’t want to wake her baby brother. He had been sleeping poorly. Julia wanted him to sleep as long as he could.
* The peach tree in Steven’s yard was covered in peach blossoms. He hoped to have many peaches this year. Steven had just bout a freezer for more storage. He now had less room in his garage.
Revising With Transitions
* When you revise your writing to include transitions, make sure you choose a transition that appropriately links your ideas.
* Read the two paragraphs, then choose the appropriate transition
* Food Drive:
* Allison’s and Daniel’s food drive has been a huge success. They have collected enough food to stock the town’s food banks for two weeks.
* Emmett’s coat collection project has helped the town’s shelter by providing warm coats to those who cannot afford them come winter.
* Mainly?
* Similarly?
* Eventually?
Choosing Transitions
* Often, you will have a choice of which transition to use. Be sure to pick one that properly connects the two ideas.
* Join these sentences with a transition.
* Swimming is good exercise and causes fewer injuries to you joints. Learning to swim can prevent injuries.
Summary
* Transitions in writing connect your ideas and guide your readers through your points.
* Transitions can be used within sentences, across sentences, and across paragraphs.
* Transitions can show these relationships between ideas.
* Comparisons
* Contrasts
* Causes and Effects
* Order of importance
* Location
* Time Order
Transitions Daily Quiz
* Read the following, then respond to questions 1 and 2.
* (1)In a rush to get to play rehearsal, Ellen threw her books into her locker. (2)She couldn’t wait to work on her scene. (3)Alex, on the other hand, took much longer. (4)He had forgotten to practice his lines last night.
* Which of the following sentences uses a transition?
* Sentence 1
* Sentence 2
* Sentence 3
* Sentence 4
* Which transition could you use to combine the ideas in the 3rd and 4th sentences?
* As a result
* Yet
* Since
* First
* Read the following passage, then answer numbers 3 and 4.
* (1)Schools have an important role in teaching students how to eat right. (2)Students should study the benefits of a nutritious, balanced meal in Health class. (3)The cafeteria should offer students a variety of healthy food options. (4)As a result, students will begin to develop healthier eating habits.
* Which of the following sentences includes a transition?
* Sentence 1
* Sentence 2
* Sentence 3
* Sentence 4
* Which transition should begin sentence 3 to show its relationship to sentence 2?
* But
* Also
* Mainly
* Eventually
* When should you use transitions in your writing?
o to fix short, choppy sentences
o at the beginning of all sentences
o to show time order relationships only
o to show order of importance relationships only
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