Using Transitions,

Today's Scripture

• Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Review

• Finish up Head/Body/Tail group activity

Benefits of Transitions

• help a reader prepare for upcoming information
• can be a word, a phrase, a sentence, or even a paragraph that helps the reader segue (without interruption) into new information
• connecting links that function within paragraphs, between paragraphs, and between whole sections of an essay

Transitions Within Paragraphs

• Within a single paragraph, transitions, such as single words or short phrases, help the reader anticipate what will come next
• may signal an additional or similar piece of information
• prepare the reader for a change or exception to previously stated information.

For example

• Mary Cassatt, one of the few female Impressionist painters, lived in France although she was of American descent. Unlike her fellow painters, who chose landscapes as their primary medium, Cassatt's main subjects were her immediate family. In fact, her nieces and nephews were captured in many of her most famous works of art.

Transitions Between paragraphs

• serve as connections between old and new information
• word, a phrase, or a sentence signals to the reader that something different is coming and transitions the reader from old to new information

For example
Mary Cassatt, one of the few female Impressionist painters, lived in France although she was of American descent. Unlike her fellow painters, who chose landscapes as their primary medium, Cassatt's main subjects were her immediate family. In fact, her nieces and nephews were captured in many of her most famous works of art.

For instance, the painting, Mother with Child, shows Cassatt's sister bathing her child. This painting not only illustrates Cassatt's use of her family as subjects but also highlights the theme of mother and child. The closeness of the mother with her child remains a constant theme of Cassatt's painting and sketching throughout the Impressionist period.

Note: The first sentence of the second paragraph draws the reader's attention to a new idea, a specific example in this case. The following sentence repeats a familiar theme (family members) from the first paragraph and then introduces a new idea (mother and child).

transitions Between sections

• may be needed between major sections of a paper, especially when the paper is lengthy. In this case, an entire paragraph may serve as a transition between two or more major sections of your paper

For example
If you were writing a twenty-page research paper on plant regeneration, the first ten pages might deal with general information about plant regeneration and the last ten pages might focus on an in-depth study of a particular experiment. In this case, you should include a paragraph that transitions the reader out of the general information in the first section into the specific experiment in the second section.

keywords and signal phrases

Verbal bridges

Repeating key words, and synonyms of these words, from your thesis and topic sentences throughout
your paper reminds the reader of main ideas and themes.

Thesis: Herbs are both beautiful and flavorful, which makes them versatile plants that both gardeners and chefs can enjoy.
Topic sentences:
•In fact, these versatile plants are as easy to cook with as herbs are to grow.
•In addition, those who neither cook nor garden can enjoy these versatile plants.
Concluding sentence: From stems in a few pots on a small patio or window to ground cover for a larger yard, these
versatile plants can be used and enjoyed by many.
( You can build “logical bridges” between paragraphs as well, by reintroducing and then expanding on
the same idea in more than one paragraph.)

signal phrases

Untitled Slide

• Make the distinction between writer and source clear for the audience
• As Smith (2004) noted, … Jones (2001) concluded… According to Stevens (2002), … McHugh (2003) contrasted this idea… Moreover, Smith (2004) added… Elliot and Pruett (2008) argued…

Vary the choice of signal phrase verbs to maintain variety and reader interest...choose the verb that appropriately characterizes the context of the idea being borrowed

It is also important for writers

• ...to employ signal phrases to introduce direct quotes in order to identify and attribute the source being quoted and to establish the purpose, context, relevance, and credibility of the direct quote.

NO signal phrase

• However, the merits of cancer screening are currently debated by new data.“Yearly prostate exams are not nearly as effective at reducing the risk of dying of prostate cancer as most men think” (Woki 2).

Revised w/signal phrase

• However, the merits of cancer screening are currently debated by new data. According to Dr. Dan Boyd (2009), the director of cancer research at the Woki Clinic, who just produced one of the new studies on cancer screening, “yearly prostate exams are not nearly as effective at reducing the risk of dying of prostate cancer as most men think” (Woki 2).

In addition...

• They are also important for writers to identify and distinguish their voices and ideas.
• In APA style, writers employ the use of third person to add objectivity to the their claims.

For example

• I conclude that the merits of cancer screening must be reappraised…
• Doctors may conclude that the merits of cancer screening must be reappraised…

Writers should NOT choose to identify their own voices by using signal phrases such
as “this writer” or “this author” to introduce and distinguish their own ideas and claims
from sources borrowed for support.

Types of Transitions Handouts Overview

Untitled Slide

Four types of transitions

• Additive
• Adversative
• Causal
• Sequential

3. CAUSAL: SIGNAL CAUSE/EFFECT AND REASON/RESULT

Cause/Reason

for the (simple) reason that, being that, for, in view of (the fact), inasmuch as,
because (of the fact), seeing that, as, owing to (the fact), due to (the fact that), in that since, forasmuch as

Condition

on (the) condition (that), granted (that), if, provided that, in case, in the event that, as/so long as, unless, given that, granting (that), providing that, even if, only if

Effect/Result

as a result (of this), consequently, hence, for this reason, thus, because (of this), in consequence, so that, accordingly, as a consequence, so much (so) that, so, therefore,

Purpose

for the purpose of, in the hope that, for fear that, so that, with this intention, to the end that, in order to, lest, with this in mind, in order that, so as to, so

Consequence

under those circumstances, then, in that case, if not, that being the case, if so, otherwise