Transitions

**Transition Words and Phrases**  (//from Teacher Vision -// **bit.ly/mrgotran** )

"**Good transitions** can **connect paragraphs** and **turn disconnected writing into a unified whole**. Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can **help readers understand how paragraphs work together**, **reference one another**, and **build to a larger point**. The key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs. By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from previous paragraphs, writers can develop important points for their readers.

It is a good idea to continue one paragraph where another leaves off. (Instances where this is especially challenging may suggest that the paragraphs don't belong together at all.) Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph and highlighting them in the next can create an obvious progression for readers. Many times, it only takes a few words to draw these connections. Instead of writing transitions that could connect any paragraph to any other paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific paragraph." (OWL @Purdue)

[]

Use the following words judiciously

Besides Furthermore In addition Indeed In fact Moreover For instance In particular Particularly Specifically To demonstrate To illustrate || As Because Because of For For the reason that Since || **To indicate a result or an effect:** Accordingly Finally Consequently Hence So Therefore Thus || For fear that In the hope that In order to So So that With this in mind || **To compare or contrast:** Although However In comparison In contrast Likewise Nevertheless On the other hand Similarly Whereas Yet || Before Currently During Eventually Finally Formerly Immediately || Initially Lastly Later Meanwhile Next Previously Simultaneously Soon Subsequently || Briefly In brief Overall Summing up To put it briefly Ultimately, Given these facts So Thus
 * **To indicate more information:**
 * AVOID Second...Third..., etc.** || **To indicate an example:**
 * **To indicate a cause or reason:**
 * **To indicate a purpose or reason why:**
 * **To indicate a particular time frame or a shift from one time period to another:** ||
 * After
 * AVOID First,...Second,..., etc.**
 * **To summarize:**
 * AVOID To sum up**
 * AVOID To summarize ** || **To conclude:**
 * AVOID Hence**
 * AVOID In conclusion**
 * Use "Therefore" judiciously**
 * AVOID To conclude** ||

Read more on TeacherVision: [|http://www.teachervision.fen.com/writing-composition/vocabulary/1780.html#ixzz1HCRxZ9e7]