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Untitled Document
Test Yourself
Paragraph Transitions
[Harbrace 27b(1) & 27b(3) - 27b(4)]
Review
Introduction
Transitional words and phrases can
add to the clarity and coherence of a paragraph. [Harbrace 27b(1) & 27b(3)]
The following paragraph lacks transitional
words or phrases:
Our friend, Encyclopedia Mike, was the first
person to find a female wolverillo in captivity. He was travelling
somewhere in Mexico. He stopped in a village to sell some encyclopedias.
He traded a set of large-print Britannicas for the caged wolverillo.
They were good sturdy books. They could be used to beat off farm
dogs. He was selling in rural areas. This was an important feature.
With transitions, the paragraph reads thus:
In fact, our friend, Encyclopedia
Mike, was the first person to find a female wolverillo in captivity.
He was travelling somewhere in Mexico and stopped in a village
to sell some encyclopedias. Eventually, he traded a set
of large-print Britannicas for the caged wolverillo. After
all, they were good sturdy books. Furthermore, they could
be used to beat off farm dogs. Because he was selling to rural
areas, this was an important feature.
Using Transitional Words
and Phrases [Harbrace 27b(3)]
Use transitional words and phrases to signal
the following relationships between sentences:
- Sequence or Addition
and, again, also, moreover, next, last,
besides, finally, furthermore, in addition, one . . . another,
first . . . second . . . third, still
- Time
at first, second (etc.), soon, earlier,
before, after, finally, then, later, next, during, subsequently,
afterward, at length, at the same time, as soon as, meanwhile,
in the meantime, until, immediately, eventually
- Comparison
similarly, likewise, by the same token,
in comparison, also
- Contrast
however, but, yet, still, nonetheless,
on the contrary, despite, nevertheless, instead, even though,
on the one hand . . . on the other hand, in contrast, although,
meanwhile
- Examples
for example, for instance, to illustrate,
the following example, thus, namely, specifically
- Narrowing of Focus
after all, indeed, in particular, in fact,
in other words, that is, particularly, specifically
- Conclusion or Summary
in summary, consequently, in conclusion,
in other words, to conclude, thus, therefore, as a result
- Concession
although it is true that . . ., although
you could say that . . . ., granted, naturally, of course, admittedly,
certainly
- Causes and Effects
because, hence, since, therefore, so,
consequently, then, thus, as a result, accordingly
An additional point to consider: transitions
apply not only to words and phrases, but also to the whole paragraph.
[Harbrace 27b(4)] Certain sentences and phrases signal a transition
between paragraphs, such as:
EXAMPLES
Let us examine this point further.
Of course there are other avenues we can
explore.
Let us begin with . . ..
In addition to transitional words, phrases,
and sentences, the overall pattern of a paragraph focuses the writer's
thoughts. These patterns can be practised separately as a way to
become aware of writing strategies. [Harbrace 27b(1)]
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