8.W.3.1-3 Transitions / Organizing Ideas (vid)

Transitions / Organizing Ideas

Grade 8

Transitions

Transitions are words or phrases that show relationships between ideas. Transitions, sometimes called signal words, give the reader a clue about what comes next in a passage. Using transitions in your own writing will make your ideas flow from one to another.

Signal Time or Sequence

• Words such as: first, second, finally, last, next, afterward, after, earlier, during, while, before, then, previously, now, until, etc.

• Example: Previously, I studied Spanish, but now I'm taking French.

Signal Additional Information

• Words and phrases such as: in addition, furthermore, moreover, and, also, another, etc.

• Example: My teacher Mrs. Jenkins is doing an excellent job. Furthermore, she deserves to get a raise.

Signal Examples or Illustrations

• Words such as: for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, including, etc.

• Example: There are many kinds of snacks to eat that are healthy for you. For example, an orange would be a healthy snack because it has vitamins and fiber.

Signal Comparison

• Words and phrases such as: likewise, similarly, in the same manner, just as, as well, etc.

• Example: Jerry plays the electric guitar in his friend's band. Similarly, his sister Gina plays the keyboard in her friend's band.

Signal Contrast

• Words and phrases such as: however, although, but, yet, nevertheless, whereas, in contrast, on the contrary, on the other hand, instead, etc.

• Example: Our town had severe weather this week, including thunderstorms and tornado watches. However, we have clear sunny skies in our forecast for next week.

Signal Cause and Effect

• Words and phrases such as: as a result, consequently, thus, therefore, because, accordingly, since, so, etc.

• Example: Mrs. Kelly was bitten by a dog when she was a little girl. Therefore, as an adult, she's afraid of dogs.

Signal Endings or Closings

• Words and phrases such as: in conclusion, all in all, in brief, in summary, as indicated above, etc.

• Example: In conclusion, every student in our school could greatly benefit from our new arts program.

Sample Questions

What would be the best transition word or phrase to connect the ideas in this sentence?

Multiple Choice

I have an English paper that is due next week; _______ , I need to do some research at the library.

• whereas

• therefore

• for example

• previously

Explanation

The best answer choice is "therefore" because it is a transition word that signals cause and effect. In this example, the speaker needs to go to the library to research (effect) because he or she has an English paper due soon (cause).

Sample question #2

In the following sentence, what does the transition phrase "in the same manner" signal?

Multiple Choice

Katrina studied hard in college and later became a lawyer; in the same manner, her cousin Martin made excellent grades in school and became a doctor.

• closing

• illustration

• comparison

• time

Explanation

In this example, the phrase "in the same manner" signals comparison. The speaker is comparing Martin's college experiences and career with Katrina's.

Go with the Flow

Knowing when to use a transition and which one to use is important. If using a transition makes your paper sound too choppy, you're probably using the wrong one. Try different transitions until the sentences flow together smoothly.

Multiple Choice

Which linking phrase would best connect sentences 6 and 7?

• First of all,

• In fact,

• That is,

• As a result,

Multiple Choice

Which word could replace although in sentence 9?

• Nevertheless

• While

• Still

• Moreover

Multiple Choice

Which transition would best begin sentence 3?

• Again,

• Consequently,

• However,

• Similarly,

Multiple Choice

Which linking word or phrase could be added to sentence 8 to improve the passage's flow?

• Chiefly,

• As a result,

• Therefore,

• For many years.

Multiple Choice

Which phrase would best begin sentence 2 to improve the flow of the passage?

• In the past,

• For instance,

• Put another way,

• To illustrate,

Paragraph Flow

A paragraph should have a topic sentence, unity, clear support, and proper development. These tools are needed to build strong paragraphs.

A Topic Sentence:

When builders build a house, they start by making a solid foundation. A paragraph needs a good foundation as well. A topic sentence is a paragraph's foundation. It reveals what the paragraph will be about. An easy way to make sure that your reader easily recognizes the topic is to put your topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph.

Unity:

Be careful not to stray from your main point. Your paragraph should not end with another point or cover different ideas.

Clear Support:

Build on your main point by adding support, such as relevant details, examples, facts, and quotes. Like building a house, use the best possible materials to get the job done right.

Proper Development:

The main point in the topic sentence should be discussed fully. If the paragraph is short, you may need to develop it with more support.

Logical Order

Passages and stories must be written in logical order to make them understandable to readers. Some characteristics of logical order include a clear sequence of events, well-developed paragraphs, and detailed support.

Sequence of Events:

• With the help of "clue" words, you can easily understand the correct order of a story.

• First: This word is a clue that the sentence should start things off. Remember, it doesn't have to be the first word in the sentence.

• Next: This word is a clue that something came before it. A sentence with this word could be second, third, or fourth. You will have to rely on information in the other sentences to decide.

• Third, Fourth, Fifth: These are great clue words that tell you exactly what order the events happened.

• Finally: This is a clue word that tells you this is one of the last sentences in the story. It should describe the last event that happened in a sequence.

Explanations and Arguments

In order for an explanation or argument to be effective, each sentence and paragraph should be placed in logical order. Topics should be clear and followed by examples or other details. Although, these passages are not in sequential order, transition words and sentences can still be used to let readers know what is next. These may include words like however, for example, and similarly. Conclusion sentences and paragraphs wrap up a passage and answer any questions the reader might have.

Multiple Choice

If this passage were to continue, what would the author most likely discuss in the next paragraph?

• the details of octopuses' homes

• the many colors of octopuses

• the purpose of an octopus's arms

• the different types of octopuses

Explanation

The homes of octopuses are also very unique.

The above sentence could be used as a transition for a new paragraph in which the author talks more specifically about the homes of octopuses. Therefore, the correct answer choice is: the details of octopuses' homes

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence.

After dusting the furniture, she washed the windows.

Where is the best place to insert this sentence in the passage?

• after sentence 14

• after sentence 2

• after sentence 7

• after sentence 10

Multiple Choice

Which paragraph should be moved to create a clear flow of ideas in the passage?

• paragraph 3

• paragraph 2

• paragraph 1

• paragraph 5

Multiple Choice

Which order of paragraphs best supports a clear structure?

• 2, 3, 1, 4

• 1, 3, 2, 4

• 3, 1, 4, 2

• 1, 4, 3, 2

Multiple Choice

Which list of categories would best represent each paragraph in this passage?

• What Movies Are Really Made Of; Make Your Own Moving Image; Creating an Animated Film; The History of Moving Images

• The History of Film-Making; The Evolution of 2D Into 3D; Difficulties in Making an Animated Film; How to Create a Flipbook

• What Are Moving Images; Creating Moving Images at Home; What Are Animated Films; The First Ever Moving Image

Multiple Choice

Read this sentence.

Our eyes have a minor defect, which causes us to interpret blurred images as a well-focused moving image.

Where should this sentence be inserted into the passage?

• before sentence 30

• after sentence 26

• after sentence 27

• before sentence 29