Using Cohesive Devices

Transition Signal
Transitions
 Transition words and phrases are used by
writers to move from one subject to the next.
 They provide coherence to a story or text.
 They signal the reader about what is coming
next in the writing.
 They can help writers bridge the gap
between ideas so that writing sounds
smooth, not choppy.
 They organize our writing and make
it easier to read.
 Transitions give our writing flow.
For example:
(Also a transition, btw…)

Take these two sentences:

 Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi.
 He does not want sushi today.
• Using transition words, you can put these two
together to make one smooth sentence instead of
two choppy ones.
 Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi.
He does not want sushi today.

Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi; however,

he does not want sushi today.
This sentence sounds better and
is much easier to read!
Some transitions have specific jobs in a
sentence. They may help show
sequencing or time, show place and
position, compare and contrast two or
more things, cause and effect, examples
and exemplification, or asserting a
truth or acknowledge opposition.
 Transitions that Show Time and Sequence
always before (that time) so far
after (a while) finally then
afterwards in the end up to (then)
as soon as meanwhile later
at first immediately somewhat earlier
at last next shortly
at the same time firstly, secondly, over the next (2 days)
while thirdly… as long as
The
first, drama
second, third,had
etc. an old-fashioned
in the future theme, lastbut at
thethereafter
same time combined subsequently modern production
concurrently at the time
techniques.
soon since (then)
 Transitions that Show Place and Position
Above Inside Below
On top Outside Behind
Beyond Adjacent In front
In the back Here There
Nearby Near Closer
Elsewhere There Farther on
Opposite to Far To the right
In between To the left alongside
She looked over the horizon for any sign
though in the distance she could not see the
surprise coming her way.
Put them on the right position: Time
and Sequence / Place and Position
finally on top there
afterwards beyond closer
as soon as in the back in the end
at first to the right meanwhile
at last nearby immediately
below behind near
above
2/7/15
in front
Transitions that Show Comparison and Contrast

Comparison
compared with like again
in comparison with likely also
in the same way/ similarly at the same time
manner likewise
Transitions that Show Comparison and Contrast

Contrast
besides naturally still
but nevertheless whereas
however of course while
in contrast on the contrary yet
instead on the other hand although
it may be the cast that regardless despite
Example:
certainly
The children were
granted
very happy. On the
it is true that
other hand, their parents
otherwise unlike were very loving in
notwithstanding
providing
differentgood
from care. by contrast
alternatively despite
Transitions that Show Cause and Effect
as a result for that reason subsequently
because thus in effect
so hence accordingly
therefore then incidentally
due to

Example: Sout Africa, is a nation of about 52

million people origins; hence, it’s a combination
of cultures, languages, and religions.
•Answer page 22 on your
module.

2/7/15
Time and location transitions
1. After so much time waiting in the long line, the boys finally
got their hamburgers.
2. The Van Gogh art exhibit was shown earlier this month in
Dallas.
3. Wait until tonight, then you will be able to see the full moon
over the city hall.
4. The show is not over until the actors take their final bows.
5. While Missy was driving to work, she saw a deer by the
roadside. She stopped to watch the deer for a short time,
then continued on her way to work.