Common Writing Problems Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions

Common Writing Problems: Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions are connecting words and expressions that show details in a piece of writing relate to each other. They guide the reader smoothly from one idea to the next. There are two main types of transitions in essay writing: transitions within paragraphs and transitions between paragraphs. Grade 8 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 1

Common Writing Problems: Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions Within Paragraphs Below are some common transitions you can use to show ideas in paragraphs are linked. Transitions Within Paragraphs To introduce an example a case in point for example to illustrate To indicate a contrasting idea conversely despite this fact however, instead nevertheless on the contrary on the other hand Grade 8 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 2

Common Writing Problems: Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions Within Paragraphs To introduce or add to an idea to begin with, after also, equally important furthermore in addition in the first, second place most importantly next finally To indicate a condition or result accordingly as a result clearly then consequently finally, in conclusion in other words in summary therefore Grade 8 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 3

Common Writing Problems: Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions Within Paragraphs Notice how the transitional phrases in the following paragraph help you understand the shift in the writer’s ideas. Legislation to revise existing mental health laws is under consideration in at least a half-dozen states, including Colorado, Oregon, and Ohio. A New York bill requiring mental health practitioners to warn the authorities about potentially dangerous patients was signed into law on January 15. In Washington, President Obama has ordered “a national dialogue” on mental Grade 8 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 4

Common Writing Problems: Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions Within Paragraphs health, and a variety of bills addressing mental health issues. However, critics say that this focus unfairly singles out people with serious mental illness, who studies indicate are involved in only about 4 percent of violent crimes and are 11 or more times as likely than the general population to be the victims of violent crime. And many proposals—they include strengthening mental health services, lowering the threshold for involuntary commitment, and increasing requirements for reporting worrisome patients to the authorities—are rushed in execution and unlikely to repair a broken mental health system, some experts say. Grade 8 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. However = contrasting idea And = a similar idea 5

Common Writing Problems: Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions Between Paragraphs The start of a new body paragraph signals that you’re moving on to the next phase of your paper. Make this shift clear by providing a transition that shows the relationship between the paragraphs. Often this can be done by inserting a significant word, phrase, or idea from the first paragraph into the topic sentence of the second. Note the transition in blue type at the beginning of the second paragraph on the following screen. Grade 8 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 6

Common Writing Problems: Transitional Phrases Lesson 11 Transitions The first way to improve lunch at the high school would be to allow students to leave the campus for lunch. Since most students would probably leave if they could, the result would be fewer lunch periods and, possibly, a shorter school day. If cooks had fewer students to prepare food for, the preparation might be better. So allowing students to leave the building for lunch would certainly be a step in the right direction. If an open campus policy is out of the question, the lunch program at the high school could be made more enjoyable if larger portions of food were served. One taco, a helping of corn, and an apple is not enough. . . Grade 8 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 7