Transitional Words and Phrases

Transitional Words and Phrases

by Rachael DuBay

​Transitional Words and Phrases

​For information writing:

​

​Clarify = make more clear, make your reader understand

Show relationship= connect two or more things or show how things are similar

To link = combine things together to strengthen the information

Multiple Choice

Why would you(an author) use a transition when you write?

• help sentence flow and guide your readers from one thought to another in a text
• they are like a bridge
• they help people understand the main idea
• they help compare and contrast

​Pay attention to the CLARIFY section!

​

​Where would it be helpful to add these to an information paper?

​Why are these words helpful for your paper?

​Pay attention to the SHOW RELATIONSHIP section!

​

​Where would it be helpful to add these to an information paper?

​Why are these words helpful for your paper?

​Pay attention to the TO LINK section!

​

​Where would it be helpful to add these to an information paper?

​Why are these words helpful for your paper?

​How are these transitions different than the "show relationship" ones?

​Now, you try to spot these correct transitions!

Multiple Choice

Jesse is an animal lover. _______, he adores penguins and pandas.

• Simultaneously
• Equally important
• Specifically
• Despite

Multiple Choice

At 1 p.m. Charlotte was eating lunch. ________, Joseph was just waking up after sleeping in.

• Simultaneously
• Then
• So
• Consequently

Multiple Choice

Peter won the scholarship to his dream school. _________, he was able to attend for free.

• Meanwhile
• Nonetheless
• Second
• Consequently

Multiple Choice

Mr. Lopez gave an exam second period. ________, he graded it during third period.

• Similarly
• Truly
• Then
• Finally

Multiple Choice

I could really go for some Chinese food for dinner. _______, pizza would be great, too.

• On the other hand
• Moreover
• So
• In sum

Multiple Choice

__________ fencing, Teddy had many other skills as well, like computer programming.

• First
• Of course
• Beyond
• Finally

Multiple Choice

__________, Jean painted her room. Then, she bought a new dresser.

• Specifically
• First
• Truly
• So

Multiple Choice

(5) Nike has been making and selling shoes for nearly 70 years. (6) When the company first began, Nike made only running shoes and soccer cleats. (7) There are many different types of shoe available, including casual shoes, basketball shoes, and even high heels!

Martin needs to add a transition word or phrase to help his readers move from sentence 6 to sentence 7. Which transition would BEST be added to the beginning of sentence 7?

• Afterward

• Then

• Today

• At first

Multiple Choice

(5) Fidget spinners became popular in 2017 after children across the country began bringing them to school as a way to remain focused in class. (6) The original idea was that students could keep their hands moving or “fidgeting” while concentrating on what was being taught by the teacher. (7) As a result, fidget spinners quickly became a distraction for many students and several schools banned them altogether.

Eric has not used the most accurate transition at the beginning of sentence 7. Eric should change As a result to —

• For example

• To conclude

• In other words

• Instead

Multiple Choice

(11) Nowadays Joe Paul Pryor only uses three tools to create his award-winning kitchen tables: a saw, a drill, and a sander. (12) Among Joe Paul’s many home projects are stools, dressers, birdhouses, and bed frames. (13) He has even started building picnic tables and fences for his neighbors. (14) He now lives in Terrell, Texas. (15) Most pieces of furniture take just a few months for Joe Paul to create. (16) Therefore, some projects take longer. (17) Joe Paul once designed and hand crafted a tv-stand for the governor of Texas that took more than 2 years to create! Blaire has not used the most accurate transition at the beginning of sentence 16. Blaire should change Therefore to —

• For example

• To conclude

• In other words

• However