What are “transitions”?: Difference between revisions

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A transition is a word or phrase that notes movement from one unit of writing to another.  A transition provides clear, logical, steps from one point to another.  Transitions can be used in sentences, paragraphs or large blocks of text.  The topic sentence of one paragraph should allude to the final sentence of the previous paragraph:
A transition is a word or phrase that connectes the ideas from one unit of writing to the ideas of the next unit of writing.  A transition provides clear, logical, steps from one point to another.  Transitions can be used in sentences, paragraphs or large blocks of text.  The topic sentence of one paragraph should allude to the final sentence of the previous paragraph:


::  Presenting all sides of an event or topic will help keep the article close to the truth.
::  Presenting all sides of an event or topic will help keep the article close to the truth.
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::  Consider aseptic packaging, the synthetic packaging for the “juice boxes” so many children bring to school with  their lunch. (The rest of the paragraph is omitted)
::  Consider aseptic packaging, the synthetic packaging for the “juice boxes” so many children bring to school with  their lunch. (The rest of the paragraph is omitted)


::  What is true for juice boxes is also true for other forms of synthetic packaging.
::  What is true for juice boxes is also true for other forms of synthetic packaging. (Hacker 34)


Within sentences, certain words are used to transition from one part of the sentence to another.  Some examples of these common words are:
Another method is for the final sentence of a paragraph to summarize the paragraph and suggesting ideas in the next paragraph. 
:Within sentences, certain words are used to transition from one part of the sentence to another.  Some examples of these common words are:
::  and, also, besides, for example, but, however, in short, after, as, above, below, if, and so
::  and, also, besides, for example, but, however, in short, after, as, above, below, if, and so


These words are not only used to transition they are also used to show addition, give examples, compare, contrast, summarize, to show time, to show place or direction, and to indicate logical relationships.   
These words are not only used to transition they are also used to show addition, give examples, compare, contrast, summarize, to show time, to show place or direction, and to indicate logical relationships.   
If blocks of text are too long then a transitional paragraph maybe needed.  A transitional paragraph provides a logical step from one part of the block text to the next part:
If blocks of text are too long then a transitional paragraph maybe needed.  A transitional paragrpah summarizes the previous information as well as establish its relevence to the next section of information.  A transitional paragraph provides a logical step from one part of a block of text to the next part:


::  Although the great apes have demonstrated significant language skills, one central question remains: Can they be
::  Although the great apes have demonstrated significant language skills, one central question remains: Can they be
::taught to use that uniquely human language tool we call grammar, to learn the difference, for instance, between     
::taught to use that uniquely human language tool we call grammar, to learn the difference, for instance, between     
::"ape bite human” and “human bite ape”?  In other words, can an ape create a sentence?
::"ape bite human” and “human bite ape”?  In other words, can an ape create a sentence? (Hacker 35)


Transitions help keep the reader reading at a steady pace.  They prevent the reader from having to make unnecessary pauses after every five sentences.
Transitions help keep the reader reading at a steady pace.  They prevent the reader from having to make unnecessary pauses after every five sentences.
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Faigley, Lester. "Signal relationships with Transitional Terms." The Brief Penguin Handbook. New York:  
Faigley, Lester. "Signal relationships with Transitional Terms." The Brief Penguin Handbook. New York:
:Longman-Pearson Education, Inc. 2003: p. 48-49.
:Longman-Pearson Education, Inc. 2003: p. 48-49.


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