So, what is a transitional device?
A transitional device is a word or a phrase which
helps connect your ideas together when you
write.
Types of Transitional Devices
Addition
Chronological/Sequence
Spatial/Location
Illustration/Emphasis
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect/Consequence
Summarization
Addition
These words are used when you want to elaborate, or
tell more about your topic.
Also
Furthermore
In addition
Moreover
Again
Another
Chronological and Sequential
These words tell us in what order events occur.
At first,
First of All,
First, Second, Third…
The next step
Meanwhile,
Later/Earlier
Simultaneously,
Next/Then
After
Lastly,
Spatial and Location
These words tell where something can be located.
Above/Below
Beyond
Elsewhere
Nearby
On the other side
Opposite to
To the North, South, East, West
Left/Right
Illustration/Emphasis
These words introduce examples for what we want our
readers to know.
For example
For instance
For one thing
In fact
Clearly
Obviously
Compare and Contrast
These words are used to tell how two or more things are alike
or different.
In the same way
By the same token
Instead
Likewise
On the other hand
On the contrary
Rather
Similarly
However
Nevertheless
Cause and Effect/Consequence
These words tell how events and actions relate to one
another.
Accordingly
Although
As a result
Because
Consequently
Hence
Therefore
Thus
Summarization
These words help to tie together ideas near the end of a
paragraph or composition.
All in all
Briefly
In any case
In conclusion
In short
In summary
Up to this point
To sum it up
Finally
So, how do transitional devices
work?
By inserting a transition word, these two ideas can form
as one.
Mark and I went to the concert.
Mom made dinner.
How can these sentences come together?
Before Mark and I went to the concert, Mom made
dinner.
Mom made dinner after Mark and I went to the
concert.
Mom made dinner while Mark and I went to the
concert.
Mark and I went to the concert. Later, Mom made
dinner.
First, Mom made dinner. Then, Mark and I went to
the concert.
Let’s try it together!
Michelle did not study for her test.
She made a bad grade.
Try this one on your own.
He knows everyone.
He is the Student Council president.
Let’s write about it!
Pick ONE of the topics listed below, and write a persuasive paragraph,
using as many transitional words as you can!
1) Who is the best singer/writer/dancer/performer/athlete?
2) What is the best sport for losing weight?
3) What is the best cartoon on television?
4) Which is better, chocolate or vanilla?
5) What is the best kind of music?
6) Who is the greatest person to have ever lived?
7) Which kind of animal makes the best pet?
8) Which is more beautiful, sunrise or sunset?
9) Which is more important, the ability to speak well or write well?
10) Is it better to be an only child or to have brothers and/or sisters?