Transitions: Read & Respond

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. Depending on the relationship between the two things you're connecting, you'll use different transitions. Some transitions show contrast; others give examples.

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

• Transition words make it clear how your ideas relate.

• Transition words make your writing more specific.

• Transition words add complexity to your ideas.

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"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.

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"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

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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

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"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

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

• sometimes lets her dog into our yard.

• usually comes home late.

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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?

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

• Julie goes to bed early.

• I enjoy studying the stars.

• I’m a vegetarian.

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"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

• wearing very sensible walking shoes.

• desperately needing more bananas.

• the threat of rain.

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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.

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