Transition Words will help your writing to move along smoothly.
Between Claims and Evidence: because being that because of the fact due to the fact that for the simple reason that
Between Evidence and Reasons: For instance, According to ___ (expert) For example, According to the data, As an example, _____ proves that Not only ____, but also ____ As an illustration, ______Between Claims and Counterclaims: Conversely, On the contrary, Even though Others think However, Others may say Nevertheless, Some believe On the other hand,
For Counterclaims and Rebuttals: Critics argue that ____, although ___ While it may be true that ____, still all in all ____ Others may say that ____, but I argue ____ A common argument against this position is ____, but ____ It may be true that ____, however, ____ It is easy to think that ____, but the facts suggest ____ While some people say ____, they fail to address ____ It is often thought that ____, but in reality _____
Make sure to place your name on your paper along with your class period #.
Name ______________________________________________ Class Period___________________
PART 1.
On each blank line, write a transition word that makes the order of ideas in the sentences clear. Use the list of transition words ABOVE to help you. More than one phrase may be used which means there may be more than 1 correct or appropriate answer.
1. _____________, seat belts save lives, and this is a fact that has been proven through countless studies and research.
2. Seat belts save lives, _______, seat belts keep you in your seat, and not thrown through the windshield or thrown loose.
3. _____________, there are people who still insist on not wearing a seatbelt. Most don't know that when you don't have a seatbelt on, your insurance company will not cover the damages to your automobile.
4. ______________, if you are caught not wearing a seat belt in some states, you could be issued a traffic ticket for the first offense.
5. ______________, getting a traffic ticket for not wearing your seat belt will increase your auto insurance rate.
6. ___________, the cost of your insurance will rise with every traffic ticket that you received.
7. ___________, your driver's license can even be suspended when you receive too many traffic tickets. This is because traffic tickets are recorded as points on your driver's license.
8. ____________, there will be more money in your bank account when you choose to wear your seat belt!
9. ____________, wearing your seat belt just makes sense to keep you and everyone else on the road a little safer.
10. ___________, seat belts reduce the risk of serious injuries and even death.
PART 2:
Sentence Structure: Transitions
Transitions function to connect one idea to another either between sentences or between paragraphs. They are signals that help readers follow the direction of the writer's thoughts. Also, while transitions do help to connect ideas in an essay, too many transitions can make writing seen overly formal or unnatural. Certain transitions such as hence, moreover, thus, and subsequently may make your writing sound too formal or artificial, which can be distracting to a reader. Formal transitions should be avoided in argumentative writing. Just be yourself.
PART 2: TRANSITION PRACTICE
Read these two passages and write down any transitional words or phrases that you see. Be sure and number them like this:
A Homeless Man 1. 2. 3.
A Homeless Man
One day, I saw a homeless man in the subway. He was a little bit different from other homeless people. When he came into our car, he started making a speech about how hard he had tried to find a job, how difficult it was to do so, how hungry he was, and so on. Then, he sang a song with a sad low voice. It sounded pitifully throughout the car. Moreover, his speech was so persuasive that people could not help feeling sympathy. As a result, most people there gave him some change, or even a dollar. His paper cup was filled with money in a minute.
The Educational System in Burma
During my father's generation, the education system was very different. Back in those days, more schools were provided by the government. In those days, people had a better education than nowadays because teachers had different ways of teaching. Most of the students were taught by British teachers. Therefore, they spoke better English and had high standards in English. Also, they began learning English in primary school. Furthermore, all of the subjects were taught in English. The schools' rules were strictly followed, and the administrators had punishments for every little thing. Now, the educational system is far different from my father's. For example, all the subjects are taught in Burmese, except for English. I, myself, and other students started to learn English in the fifth grade. In the fourth and eighth grades, our final exams were given by the state board of education, and in the tenth grade, our exam was a nation-wide exam. In each grade, we have to pass every subject. Otherwise, we have to repeat that particular grade. Therefore, it can be really difficult to graduate from high school. After tenth grade, we can enter college. In the old days, there was no limit in choosing any major or professional field that students wanted. However, things are not as easy in my generation. The students have fewer opportunities to learn and fewer careers from which to choose.
Part 3....These are more advanced Transition Words or Transitional Phrases
Take your time and read closely and choose the best answer.
1.
(11) He wanted the British to leave and let the Indians govern themselves. (12) He did not begin a war, and instead chose to protest peacefully. (13) It was many years before the British rule ended, and Gandhi was imprisoned on several occasions for stating his views. (14) Ultimately, his dream was realized when India became an independent nation in 1947. (15) Gandhi is known for playing a role in a number of protests, but the Great Salt March still remains one of his most well-known attempts to seek justice for his people.
Which transitional word or phrase would best fit between sentences 11 and 12? A. Nonetheless, B. Likewise, C. Additionally, D. Surprisingly,
2.
(14) Van Gogh borrowed from various techniques. (15) He created a distinctive style of his own. (16) He painted approximately 900 paintings during his career that lasted a decade. (17)"Starry Night," which is currently in the Museum of Modern Art at New York, is often regarded as his most outstanding work.
Choose the best transitional word or phrase to use between sentences 14 and 15. A. In conclusion
B. Besides
C. In the meantime
D. Nevertheless
3.
(1) The Guinness Book of World Records was first published in 1954. (2) The owner of Guinness Brewery, Sir Hugh Beaver, determined that it would be helpful to most people to have a book that contained world records that could be used to settle arguments. (3) Beaver enlisted the help of fact finders Norris and Ross McWhirter to compile the book. (4) They gave away 1000 copies of The Guinness Book of Records. (5) Bound copies became available for sale in August 1955. (6) _______, the book went to the top of Britain’s best sellers list by Christmas. (7) The next year, the U.S. edition sold 70,000 copies. (8) Beaver _______ never expected Guinness Book to be so successful. (9) It was supposed to just be a marketing giveaway. (10) More than 50 years later, the book is still publishing yearly updates.
Choose the transition that best begins sentence 6.
_______ the book went to the top of Britain's best sellers list by Christmas. A. Consequently, B. In conclusion, C. For example, D. Likewise,
4. (1) It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, and Cassie was sitting on her lawn with her favorite book in her hand. (2) She wasn't the only one basking in the sun. (3) Her dog, Ozzy, sat next to her, happily playing with his new chew bone. (4) The whole scene seemed so perfect. (5)Cassie knew that this perfection was short-lived. (6) She would soon move out of her house to go to college. (7) _____ she had various doubts and apprehensions in her mind about her future, she kept them aside and decided to enjoy her time at home. Which transitional word or phrase would best begin sentence 7? A. Actually B. Though C. However D. Similarly
5. Toniesha missed driving class waiting on her older brother to pick her up. _______, he was at the mall with his friends.
Choose the transition that best fits the blank. A. Meanwhile B. In other words C. For example D. Whether
6. Guiliano says most of his travel had nothing to do with setting a Guinness World Record. Instead, the trips were related to his job as a journalist. It wasn’t until 2001 that one of his friends suggested that he try for the record. On February 24, 2004 he traveled to London to prove his world record to Guinness with 42 passports. _______, he may never have been able to verify that he visited all those places. Guiliano chose Suriname as the last sovereign state to visit because it is the only Dutch speaking nation in Latin America. He said the nation’s mix of ethnicities and cultures make it one of his favorites.
Choose the transition that best fits the blank.
_______, he may never have been able to verify that he visited all those places.
A. Moreover B. Otherwise C. Despite the fact D. Even though
7.
(1) Lakewood Junior High School students decided to declare their unhappiness with several school rules. (2) In conclusion, the students voiced their desire to carry backpacks with them to their classes. (3) Currently, students must store their backpacks in their locker when they enter the building due to a safety violation last school year. (4) "We shouldn't all be punished for one student's mistake," Senior Class President Ashley Nettles said. (5) Students are often tardy as they travel to their lockers after each period to switch books and assignments. (6) They gave Principal Joe Waters a petition to add shorts of modest length to the dress code. (7) Nettles shared facts about student performance and climate in the classrooms. (8)Thirdly, according to her report, students who felt hot and uncomfortable due to the weather were less likely to be focused on learning. (9) She said that the school could possibly save on energy costs if students dressed in cooler clothes.
Which transitional word or phrase should be added to the beginning of sentence 6?
A. In summary, B. For example, C. Furthermore, D. Consequently,
8.
(1) My debate club at Jackson Academy attended a college tournament at Newson University last week. (2) After the tournament, a Newson debate team member gave us a tour of the campus. (3) We ate lunch at Mason Hall and relaxed in the student library. (4) College life is both similar to and different from high school. (5) The college library has a cafe on the first floor, yet our high school library bans eating and drinking. (6) Our tour guide told us that juniors and seniors may live off-campus and drive their own vehicles. (7) Similarly, students in the 11th and 12th grades at Jackson can obtain parking permits and eat lunch off-campus. (8)I had a great time visiting the Newson campus.
Which of the following transitions would best begin sentence 3?
A. For example B. Consequently C. Then D. Before
9. Althea Gibson won 11 major tennis titles from 1956 to 1958. The Associated Press even named her Female Athlete of the Year in 1957 and 1958. _______, Gibson was the first African American to receive this honor.
Which transition would best fill in the blank in the sentence above? A. In fact B. Such as C. However D. Including
10. The first step when baking cookies is to find a good recipe. The recipe will likely call for the following ingredients: sugar, flour, butter, egg, and baking powder. The next step will be to gather the necessary ingredients. After that, combine and stir the correct amount of each ingredient, and _______ spoon the cookie dough onto a cookie sheet. Finally, place the cookie sheet in a 350-degree oven until the cookies are golden brown.
Which transition would best combine the ideas in the fourth sentence? A. instead B. lastly C. therefore D. then
11. Which of the following transitions could be used to signal time? A. because B. consequently C. until D. another
12. On weekends, Lacy goes to sleep after midnight due to her work schedule. On school days, she falls asleep by 9 p.m.
Which transition would best combine these sentences?
A. in brief B. previously C. yet D. just as
PART 1: LINKING WORDS
DEATH PENALTY
You will see numbers and this is where you need to insert a transition or transitional phrase. There are 4 words to choose from below. Look at number 1. Your choices for number 1 are 1- A andB despite C although D moreover Some countries still have the death penalty, although it no longer exists in Britain. On your paper, write C and the word although.
Some countries still have the death penalty …1… it no longer exists in Britain.
……2……, after a particularly violent murder, British people sometimes call for it to be brought back.
…….3…….my opinion, the death penalty cannot be defended for a number of reason.
………4…… and most important reason is that one can never be entirely certain that the accused person is guilty.
In the ………5…, people have been sentenced to death and later it is discovered that they were completely innocent.
It is often ……6…… that the death penalty prevents crime and that the risk of death acts as a deterrent.
……7…, many serious crimes are caused by a sudden and very powerful emotion. In these cases, the individual is not thinking sensibly and does not stop to consider the risks.
One final ……8……… against the death penalty is that it sets a bad example. The laws of society should reflect its values.
If it is wrong for one individual to murder another …9…… it is also wrong for the state to execute an individual.
………10…. believe the death penalty cannot defended. There are other ways of punishing criminals and these ways should always be tried.
1- A andB despite C although D moreover 2- A In addition B also C Nevertheless D In contrast
3- A In B for C About D With
4- A FirstlyB The first C The one D Initially
5- A futureB presentC beginningD past
6- A told B heard C spoken D suggested
7- A ThereforeB However C MoreoverD Despite
8- A Reason B view C argument D opinion
9- A then B as C and D too
10- A In contrast B To sum up C At last D Fourthly