TRANSITIONS FOR TEXT STRUCTURE Whats the Point Transition

TRANSITIONS FOR TEXT STRUCTURE

What’s the Point? ■ Transition words and phrases not only help the reader get from one idea to the next, but they can also reveal different types of text structure ■ These transition words and phrases are import so the reader can understand what your main point is in you informational essay

Chronological Text Structure ■ Stories told or articles written in a timely manner. ■ Transition words that help structure for chronological: – First, second, third – In the mean time, – Since, – Then, – Prior to, – Until now, – Instantly, – Presently, – Formerly, – Before, – When, – Further,

Chronological Text- missing transitions ■ I didn't relish the idea of being in New York City, I decided to attend graduate school there for several important reasons. Columbia University allowed individualization in programming. I learned on my first visit to the university that the professor who would be my advisor would allow me to do much of my work in Rochester and travel to New York only for special meetings. The university accepted work I had previously done and applied it to my degree. I knew and respected the two professors who would be my advisors. Both people have taught and researched in the field for many years.

Chronological text- with transitions ■ Even though I didn't relish the idea of being in New York City, I decided to attend graduate school there for several important reasons. First of all, Columbia University allowed individualization in programming. Perhaps most important, I learned on my first visit to the university that the professor who would be my advisor would allow me to do much of my work in Rochester and travel to New York only for special meetings. The university also accepted work I had previously done and applied it to my degree. Besides the coursework, I knew and respected the two professors who would be my advisors. Both people have taught and researched in the field for many years.

Compare and Contrast transition words and phrases ■ Compare and contrast text structure shows how things can be similar and/or different ■ Compare: – Also, – In addition – Similarly, – As well as, ■ Contrast: – Contrasting, – Conversely, – Instead, – Rather, – However, – nevertheless

Compare and Contrast- without transition words ■ Apples and oranges are fruits, which means that they have seeds inside of them. They have a skin. Orange skins are thick and easy to peel. Apple skins are thinner and do not peel easily. Oranges contain more acid than apples. They are delicious. The fruits are healthy for you. There is the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Nothing is said about oranges.

Compare and Contrast- with transitions ■ Apples and oranges are both fruits, which means that they have seeds inside of them. Each has a skin, but orange skins are thick and easy to peel. Apple skins are thinner and do not peel easily. Oranges also contain more acid than apples, but both fruits are delicious. Furthermore, both fruits are healthy for you. However, there is the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, yet nothing is said about oranges.

Cause and Effective- transition words or phrases ■ Cause and effective- because something happened…. this occurred ■ Cause Transition words: – In the event that… – If, …then – When, – Whenever – In order to, – Since – For the purpose of ■ Effect Transition words: – As a result – In that case – For this reason – Thus – then

Cause and Effect example no transition words ■ Recurring headaches can have initiate disruptive effects in a person's life. In many cases, these headaches make a person nauseous to the point that he or she must go to bed. Sleep is often interrupted because of the pain. Disrupted sleep worsens the physical and emotional state of the sufferer. For those who try to maintain a normal lifestyle, drugs are often relied on to get through the day. Such drugs, of course, can have other negative effects. Drugs can inhibit productivity on a job, perhaps having regular absences. Work is affected, and the seemingly unpredictable occurrence of these headaches makes disruption in family life. The interruption to a person's family life is enormous. It is no wonder that many of these people feel discouraged and even depressed due to the cycle of misery reoccurring headaches cause.

Cause and Effect- with transition words ■ Recurring headaches can have initiate disruptive effects in a person's life. Initially, in many cases, these headaches make a person nauseous to the point that he or she must go to bed. Furthermore, sleep is often interrupted because of the pain. In the event that headaches disrupt sleep, then this worsens the physical and emotional state of the sufferer. For those who try to maintain a normal lifestyle, drugs are often relied on to get through the day. As a result, such drugs, of course, can lead to other negative effects. Since, drugs can inhibit productivity on a job, they even cause regular absences. Not only is work affected, but also the seemingly unpredictable occurrence of these headaches leads to disruption in family life. Furthermore, the interruption to a person's family life is enormous. Thus, it is no wonder that many of these people feel discouraged and even depressed due to the cycle of misery reoccurring headaches cause.

Problem/ Solution transition words ■ Problem and solution- presents and problem and also a solution ■ Problem Transition Words: – One problem is – The question is – If ■ Solution Transition Words: – The answer is – One solution is – Then

Problem/Solution- no transition ■words People often install a kitty door, only to discover that they have a problem. Their cat will not use the kitty door. Sometimes cats won’t use kitty doors. They may not understand how a kitty door works. They may not understand that it is a little doorway just for them. Many kitty doors are dark and cats cannot see to the other side. They can’t be sure of what is on the other side of the door, so they won’t take the risk. Cats won’t use kitty doors is because some cats don’t like the feeling of pushing through and then having the door drag across their back. ■ Prop the door open with tape. This means your cat will now be able to see through to the other side; your cat will likely begin using the kitty door immediately. Sometimes cats will continue to use the kitty door without any more prompting. Sometimes they need more prompting; you will want to use food to bribe your cat. When it’s feeding time, sit on the opposite side of the door from your cat and either click the top of the can or crinkle the cat food bag. Open the door to show your cat that it is both you and the food waiting on the other side of the door. Repeat this a couple times,

Problem Solution- with transition words ■ People often install a kitty door, only to discover that they have a problem. The problem is their cat will not use the kitty door. There are several common reasons why cats won’t use kitty doors. One issue is, they may not understand how a kitty door works. They may not understand that it is a little doorway just for them. Another worrisome thought for cats is, many kitty doors are dark and cats cannot see to the other side. As such, they can’t be sure of what is on the other side of the door, so they won’t take the risk. One last reason cats won’t use kitty doors is because some cats don’t like the feeling of pushing through and then having the door drag across their back. ■ The first step in solving the problem is to prop the door open with tape. This means your cat will now be able to see through to the other side; your cat will likely begin using the kitty door immediately. Once your cat has gotten used to using the kitty door, remove the tape. Sometimes cats will continue to use the kitty door without any more prompting. If this does not happen, another solution is you will want to use food to bribe your cat. When it’s feeding time, sit on the opposite side of the door from your cat and either click the top of the can or crinkle the cat food bag. Open the door to show your cat that it is both you and the food waiting on the other side of the door. Repeat this a couple times, and then feed your cat. After a couple days of this, the answer to your kitty door problem will be gone.

Sequential- transition words and phrases ■ Sequence- showing order or processing steps ■ Transition Words/Phrases – At the present time, – First, Second… – Times – First step

Sequential example- no transitions ■ To be a prime minister you need to become a leader of a political party. You need to win a seat in the House of Commons. Your party must have a majority of seats. You must make sure you have a majority of seats. Then you can call yourself the Prime Minister.

Sequential example with transitions ■ In the beginning, you need to become a leader of a political party. Before becoming the prime minister, you need to become the leader of a political party. Then, you must win a seat in the House of Commons. After winning a seat in the House of Commons, you must make sure you have a majority of seats. Finally, after all these steps, you can call yourself the Prime Minister.

Student practice writing prompt ■ You have read, “Oh, Woe is Poe” from the book How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg. Based on this chapter, describe Edgar Allan Poe’s lifestyle. What text structure did the author use to portray Poe’s unfortunate life? Use relevant evidence from the text to support your answer.

Tasks: 1. Describe his lifestyle. portray Poe’s life? 2. What text structure did the author use to I. Intro I. Hook- Fact, Statistic, Anecdote, Quote- NO QUESTIONS II. Background Information- Who is Edgar Allan Poe? III. Thesis- Pretend that I have never read this chapter or writing prompt. Combine both tasks into one sentence. II. Body 1 - Describe his lifestyle I. What are some important things we learned about his lifestyle? II. ? Evidence and Explanation III. ? III. Body 2 - What text structure did the author use to portray Poe’s life? I. What overall text structure did they use? Evidence and Explanation II. Did they incorporate any others?