Transition Words: The Nails When Building a House

Transition Words:

The Nails when Building a House

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Listen as I read this:

Transition words make your writing flow. When you are moving from one idea to the next, a transition is a quick way to help explain how the two ideas relate. Without transition words, it is like you are trying to build a house without nails. Depending on the relationship between the two things you're connecting, you'll use different transitions. Some transitions show contrast; others give examples.

Multiple Choice

According to this passage, how can transition words help your writing?

• They make it clear how your ideas relate.

• They make your writing more specific.

• They add complexity to your ideas.

• They make your ideas harder to follow.

Examples of common transition words

• consequently

• However

• for instance

• in summary

• indeed

• ​meanwhile

• moreover

• nonetheless

• similarly

• simultaneously​

Where can we add transition words?

• you can add transition words almost anywhere to connect two sentences together! First, just figure out how the sentences relate

• They are not hard to add, but you just to remember to add them

Multiple Choice

You can use "consequently" to show that the sentence that follows describes an effect of the previous sentence.

________. Consequently, I was late to the surprise party.

• I love surprise parties

• I am always on time

• I missed the bus

• I left an hour early

Multiple Choice

"For instance" indicates that an example is about to come.

My older brother is the funniest person I know. For instance,

• he’s often crying and unhappy.

• he recently became afraid of his own shadow.

• he can make our mother laugh just by rolling his eyes.

• I often feel myself longing for sleep when he speaks.

Multiple Choice

"Nonetheless" is a transition that shows an exception or contrast.

________. Nonetheless, Greg and Deborah found themselves paddling around the fountain’s shallow pool.

• Greg and Deborah desperately wished to swim in the public garden’s fountain

• The public garden’s rules clearly stated that visitors were not allowed to swim in the fountain

• Greg and Deborah wore their swimsuits to the public gardens

• Greg and Deborah were always rebellious

Multiple Choice

"Indeed" means that a writer is going to further emphasize what he or she just said. "Indeed" is attached to the sentence that gives an even stronger example of a point than the sentence before.

My neighbor, Ms. Ramirez, is a little goofy. Indeed, she

• often lends me a hammer or wrench when I need it.

• insists on decorating her house with silly signs on Groundhog Day.

• sometimes lets her dog into our yard.

• usually comes home late.

Multiple Choice

The transition "meanwhile" can be used to show that something happened at the same time as something else. It can also be used to point out two conflicting ideas that both occur.

Which of the following passages uses the word “meanwhile” correctly?

• I quickly ran to the store for more napkins. Meanwhile, “I’ll be back!” I shouted, to my unconcerned guests as I hurried out the door.

• I met my grandfather at the station. Meanwhile, I had really missed him.

• My cousin often sleepwalks. Meanwhile, she thinks it is because of her realistic dreams.

• The mayor supported building a new swimming pool. Meanwhile, the town’s citizens opposed the plan.

Multiple Choice

The word "simultaneously" means that two things are happening at exactly the same time.

Which of the following sentences uses the word “simultaneously” correctly?

• I had breakfast and simultaneously had dinner afterwards.

• “I feel simultaneously,” she announced, “so I can’t stay for dinner."

• The acrobat simultaneously juggled three balls and hula-hooped.

• Simultaneously, he ate the candy. Then, he had a toothache.

Multiple Choice

The transition "such as" introduces one or more examples of an idea that was just mentioned.

I enjoy traveling to new cities such as Cincinnati, Detroit and Milwaukee.

In the sentence above, Cincinnati, Detroit and Milwaukee are

• contradictions to the statement “I enjoy traveling to new cities.”

• exceptions to the statement “I enjoy traveling to new cities.

• examples of where the writer likes to travel.

• conflicting ideas about travel.

Multiple Choice

"Similarly" is a transition that means that a statement is very much like the previous statement.

Anwita and I are a lot alike. Anwita enjoys learning about the solar system. Similarly,

• I enjoy studying the stars.

• I dislike the dark.

• Anwita goes to bed early.

• I’m a vegetarian.

Multiple Choice

"Despite" introduces a statement that could have affected another statement but did or does not. "Despite" means that you are still considering something even though evidence might suggest that you shouldn't.

Ronnie walked to the grocery store despite

• the threat of rain.

• desperately needing more bananas.

• planning to cook dinner later that day.

• wearing very sensible walking shoes.

Multiple Choice

The transition "specifically" introduces a very concrete example of whatever was just mentioned.

I am easily annoyed. Specifically,

• I have a lot of pet peeves.

• I am often enthusiastic

• I can’t stand when people chew gum.

• I think I can succeed.

Multiple Choice

The transition "moreover" means that additional support or evidence is coming.

Katrina should run for her city council. She is passionate about her city. Moreover,

• she doesn’t really like hard work.

• she is well known and liked by her neighbors.

• she is timid and dislikes crowds.

• she is often misinformed.

Multiple Choice

When you reach the end, you can tell people your story or essay (or song) is almost over by using a concluding transition like “in summary” that emphasizes your central idea a final time.

Bees are an important part of our ecosystem and are truly invaluable. In summary,

• we should work to protect bees.

• let me tell you some more about bees.

• I have more questions about bees.

• let’s continue exploring how bees buzz.