Transitions 2

Transitions 2

By Elizabeth Rauscher

Transitions of Ideas

In the previous quiziz, we reviewed transition words such as furthermore and however and how they're used to explicitly connect ideas. Transitions, however, can be more than just one or two words - they can be entire sentences that guide the reader from one thought to another. The more complex ideas get and the more subtle the relationships between them become, the longer the transitions will tend to be.

Grammar |English

Transitions 2

By the time Heart of Darkness was published in 1902, a movement was already underway to expose the large-scale theft and murder occurring in the Congo. Dozens of missionaries had begun sending reports, including photographs, to bear witness to the violence. William Sheppard, an African-American Presbyterian, was one of these missionaries. He sent out shocking testimony of lands seized by force, of people living under a reign of terror, and of soldiers cutting off the hands of women and children.

An Englishman named E.D. Morel gathered the many reports and photographs and published them. He gathered crowds to listen to eyewitness accounts of colonial atrocities. He lobbied the British Parliment to denouce the Belgian king's horrifying practices. This became the first modern humanitarian movement, and it successfully exposed the horrendous violence in the Congo. Historians estimate, however, that by that time, between 10 million and 20 million Congolese people had lost their lives.

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Take note of the bolded sentence. The sentence works as a transition between the two paragraphs. ​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Transition of Ideas

A good transition sentence references both preceding key ideas and the ones following it. In this case, the transition brings up not only E. D. Morel, who is the primary focus of the second paragraph, but also the many reports and photographs that were the focus of the first paragraph.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Transition of Ideas

When you're asked to choose the best transition between two paragraphs or even between two sentences within the same paragraph, always read above and below where the transition will be. The best transition will be the one that brings together the main element on either side, leading from the previous topic to the next.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Another Sample

Lambert confirmed that we as humans have a finite amount of mental energy and attention. Tough decision making, such as that used when following a diet, saps us of our ability to exercise the same discipline later on. Based on this research, Lambert designed a diet that minimise the need for discipline and protects against regression. Her program has been used by everyone from celebrities to world-class athletes who vouch for its effectiveness. ​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Questions to ask Yourself:

• How do you effectively guide the reader from the previous paragraph to a new paragraph?

• How do you effectively signal the shift from the preceding paragraph to this one?

• How do you effectively introduce a paragraph?

• How do you link two different ideas within the same paragraph?

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Let's Try it! Select the BEST transition of ideas.

It's well known that cell phone usage correlates with a higher chance of vehicle accidents. No matter how safely people drive, there will always be accidents. Teenagers have the highest level of risk because they're the newest to driving. They're also the ones who tend to text the most. Older drivers, however, are generally more responsible and have the patience to wait.

• No Change

• Not all age groups, however, have the same level of risk.

• For that reason, many states require seat belt use by law.

• Road signs that encourage drivers to put their phones away are marginally effective at best.

Multiple Choice

Since I was a child, I've wanted to see the treasures that were supposedly hidden behind the stone wall. My friends would always say that they'd one day start the journey over the wall, but they never found the courage. Despite these failed attempts, I was determined to find a way in.

• No Change

• It's rumored that dragons lay in wait, guarding all the riches beyond imagination.

• Local tribesmen gossiped daily of the different ways they would try to get through.

• Many men had lost their lives trying to scale it and a half-finished underground tunnel had been given up on years ago.

Multiple Choice

Jacobsen, LLC. is a cupcake company that does about a million dollars every year, but the bulk of the revenue dones't come from the cupcakes that are sold in the stores. Much of the money actually comes from corporate accounts that make sizeable orders for their premier events.

• No Change

• customers aren't aware of its finances.

• management intends to triple that number in the coming few years.

• most orders aren't for the signature cuplake that it promotes.

Multiple Choice

Of all the Indian tribes, the Wampagees designed the most elaborate masks, but their purpose is still unknown. Perhaps the Wampagees created the masks for their ritual dances, which were performed every month for good luck. As one of the smaller tribes, they had to repeatedly stave off invaders that wanted to claim their land. In order to survive, the Wampagees must have sought ways to deal with enemies other than direct combat.

• No Change

• Members of the tribe were extremely superstitious.

• Some speculate that the masks were worn in times of war to intimidate competing tribes.

• They could've been used solely as decorative items, a form of art to line the walls of their huts.

Multiple Choice

The busiest season for our travel agency is spring, cherry blossom season in Japan. During this time, visitors line up outside our doors for the discounts that we offer. Some are headed solely for the temples while other sare interested in the local suschi joints and the fascinating shopping malls.

• No Change

• the tress in the public parks are in full bloom.

• many of the hotels are fully booked.

• we arrange plans for hundreds of tourists eager to explore the sites.

Multiple Choice

There were some days when I loved taking public transportation, and other days when I didn't. On a good day, I would sit back and enjoy the coffee sold at the corner store. Today being a good day, I watched an old Vietnamese woman with a cluster of plastic shopping bags gripped tightly in her hand like a cloud of tiny white bubbles. Next to her was the lonely businessman starting longingly across the aisle at the beautiful Mexial girl in the tight jeans standing with her back to him.

• No Change

• study the other passengers.

• listen to the music stored on my phone.

• read the paper for most of the commute.

Multiple Choice

The decline in Pennetta's form, however, is not without its causes. Two years ago, the Italian was involved in a bike accident that left her arm with a serious break. Doctos said that a full recovery as possible. During the long break, the tennis star kept up a light practice routine and proclaimed that she would come back to the sport stronger than ever.

• No Change

• She didn't play any tournaments fo the rest of the year.

• She used the most advasnced treatments of physiotherapy to nurse it back to health.

• It crossed her mind a few times after the injury that she may never play professionally again.

Multiple Choice

Many students pursuing their doctorate degree are disheartened by the amount of research professors have to do to maintain their positions, but research is much more than pouring over books and writing articles. As a biology professor, I conduct interviews with experts, collect samples from the ocean, and perform experiments in the lab.

• No Change

• the compesation and career stability make it worthwhile.

• the universities are unwilling to change their requirements.

• it shouldn't be thought of as a burden.

Multiple Choice

Boston has become the central hub for food, tourism, and entertainment in New England. New businesses and restaurants are popping up all over the place nd its sports teams pack the stadiums every week.

The reasons for Boston's growth can be traced back to excellent state policy decisions a decade ago. Old brownstones, once affordable to even those on government welfare, are being listed for thousands of dollars. Many people who prefer single studios now have no choice but to find roommates to soften the cost of living.

• No Change

• Despite the city's modern appeal, Boston's cultural and historical significance cannot be ignored.

• Rents for appartments have been on the rise due to the booming economy.

• Boston also has a large variety of housing options.

Multiple Choice

A major component of a pilot's flight training is preparing for emergency situations. However, it is practical to rehearse all the scenarios that might occur. Often, a candidate demonstrates excellent flying skills, but loses compusore when under pressure.

• No Change

• It is vital that all cabin crew know basic first aid int eh event that a passenger becomes ill.

• All important flight instruments, such as the course deviation indicator, must be regularly monitored by the co-pilot.

• Therefore, assessors will look for dandidates who can adjust calmly to unexpected events.

Multiple Choice

The Great Pyramid of Giza is best enjoyed by taking the desert approach on camelback or on foot. Not only does it offer a better view of the monuments, but it also costs much less. On a busy day, there are so many visitors that it's impossible to reach the main entrance by the city route.

• No Change

• avoides most of the tourist traffic.

• provides a local experience.

• passes by the Giza plateau, which is home to many fascinating desert animals.