session (4) Transitions

A-what is meant by transitions?

    Transitional words and phrases are essential to maintain the flow and coherence of a paragraph. They are the links between ideas. Transitions are phrases or words used to connect one idea to the next . Besides, transitions that compare, contrast, illustrate, add or show cause and effect build logical bridges. The ideas, thus expressed in the paragraph, flow smoothly from one to the other in a logical sequence. This helps the reader to understand the paragraph. Two sentences become a sentence, using transitions words or phrases that link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas. Transitions are used by the writer to help the reader progress from one significant idea to the next transitions also show the relationship within a paragraph (or within a sentence) between the main idea and the support the writer gives for those ideas. Different transitions do different things.

B- what is the function of transitions?

Transition words are used to link ideas within sentences, and sentences within paragraphs. Used correctly, transition words make writing easier to understand and more mature. Transitions can be used in diverse circumstances. A transition can be a word, a phrase or even an entire paragraph. The function of a transition is the same in each case: it summarizes the content of the preceding paragraph or section and it helps the reader anticipate what’s to come in the next paragraph.  However, the major function is not just to embellish one’s writing by making it read or sound better; these are words which serve the function of presenting the ideas in such a way that help the readers react in particular ways to the ideas presented.  They play a very important part in helping the readers see the logical sequence of the idea.

    To put it clear, transition words, such as “although,” “however,” and “for example,” play an important role in writing. They tie two thoughts together and add fluency to writing. Transition words are used in a sentence to connect two ideas. They join clauses or sentences together to show a difference or a connection.   Transition words are used in a sentence to connect two ideas. They join clauses or sentences together to show a difference or a connection.

C-What are the most commonly used transitional words and phrases?

      Writing is simply a matter of expressing ideas, but as we all know, it’s not so simple after all. One challenge is to coherently connect those ideas. It is through transitional words that we can do that. These words and phrases can be used within a sentence as well as at the beginning. The most commonly used transitional words and phrases are:

To give examples To add information To compare or contrast To show time To emphasize To show sequence To summarize

for example          for instance           namely and                         next                in addition in contrast     by comparison     on the other hand finally      after                 before for these reasons    obviously     without a doubt first (second, third, etc.)    next   at the same time therefore                    thus              in conclusion

Some examples:

Example 1: 

We arrived late at the movie; indeed, we missed the first thirty minutes.

Indeed is a transition word. It clarifies how late we arrived at the movie.

Example 2: 

We arrived late at the movie; however we missed the first thirty minutes.

However is the transition word in the second example, but doesn’t make sense as it is used in the sentence.

However is a transition word that shows contrast, yet there is no contrast to be made. Both clauses are about being late to the movie. A better sentence with however would be: 

Example 3:

We left early to go to the movie; however, we still missed the first thirty minutes.

In Example 3, however shows the contrast between leaving early and still missing the beginning of the movie.

Example 4:  We arrived late at the movie, so we didn’t understand the end.

In Example 4, the word so connects two clauses to show a result. It was because we were late that we didn’t understand the ending. The meaning of the two clauses is clearer than if each stood alone:

Example 5:  We arrived late at the movie. We didn’t understand the ending.

In Example 5, the two ideas are separate. There is no connection with arriving late and not understanding the movie. Instead, it appears that not understanding the ending has nothing to do with arriving late.