What do transitions do?
Show the relationship between ideas
Connect ideas from a previous sentence or paragraph to the next sentence or paragraph
Where does a writer use transitions?
Between paragraphs
Between sentences within paragraphs
Between clauses within the same sentence
Why are transitions important?
They help the writer to determine the relationships between ideas in his/her paper.
They help the reader interpret the writer’s meaning by making clear
connections between ideas. Consider how the transition changes the meaning of these sentences:
Her father wanted her to major in Business. However, she majored in Art.
Her father wanted her to major in Business. Therefore, she majored in Art.
Prepared by Pam Benoit and Kelly Berg-Nellis to accompany Communication 104: Controversies in Communication. Suggestions or comments are welcome. ©Pam Benoit, Professor, University of Missouri. Last updated 02/04/04 by Greg G. Armfield.