CD Transition

When writing, many fail to use appropriate transition between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas. A transition is a word or set of words that link a sentence, paragraph, or idea back to a previous sentence, paragraph, or idea.

Let’s look at an example:

“Father Campbell washed his car today. He also vacuumed the interior of the vehicle.”

“Father Campbell forbid his son to steal because it is immoral. Moreover, it is against the law.”

“Also” and “moreover” are just two examples of transition words. Many others exist: furthermore, however, but, on the other hand, in contrast, and in comparison, to name a mere few.

Writers can even use transition sentences and paragraphs to link even larges sections of a work. For example, a writer may posit, “Allow me to explain this in a different manner.” The main transitional word is “different,” but the entire sentence helps accomplish the transition’s purpose.

Transitions, such as these above, improve your writing because linking sentences, paragraphs, or ideas creates a natural and logical “flow” of your argument. Imagine a puzzle, for instance. If you fail to tightly align puzzle pieces, the picture appears fragmented and unclear. Carefully and tightly-aligned puzzle pieces create a crisper picture.

To comprehend this better more properly, I will share the most important and most influential lesson I ever learned: treat your writing as though you are arguing.

In fact, many write out of obligation, in which case the writer is not normally compelled to be compelling. However, to write well, we must also argue well.

The biggest improvement in my writing occurred when I took a formal logic class in college. Learning syllogisms, deductive and inductive arguments, logical qualifiers, and predicate logic highly improve the structure and flow of your writing (don’t worry, they translate these words for you in class).

Consider the following paragraph and its logical clarity:

“When Luke must pee, then he will go to the bathroom. In fact, Luke currently has to pee. Naturally, he runs to the bathroom.”

The paragraph above, despite its simplicity, conveys a very clear argument. The two conditions – “when Luke must pee, then he will go to the bathroom” and “Luke currently has to pee” – logically predict a very valid conclusion: “he runs to the bathroom.”

Although one may disagree with the argument’s logical leaps or conclusion, the transition terms “when…then,” “in fact,” and “naturally” all highlight the movement of the argument.

These may be simple techniques, indeed, but they create highly effective argument. Next time you write, I encourage you to focus on these simple techniques or even Google search “writing transitions.”

I hope you find these strategies mentioned above helpful. They will dramatically improve your writing and your argument, because writing a good argument requires good transition.

We have been writing essays or articles since we have been enrolled in school. We may write essays with good grammar and have much experience to write, or you may think you know the usage of many transition words. But sometimes we are still not able to use them freely and naturally and need to refer to some dictionaries. This article will give you a reference when you are confused with some transition words.

Firstly, we classify these words into many kinds according to their meaning and roles they play so that you can easily choose better words as you need. Categories are as follows:

1) Words that indicate emphasis.

When you want to emphasize something important, you can use words as follows: above all, absolutely, according as, always, as a matter of fact, by all means, certainly, definitely, eternally, even that, forever, in any case, in fact, indeed, mainly, more importantly, more specifically, naturally, never, nevertheless, obviously, of course, particularly, peculiarly, positively, specifically, surely, surprisingly.

2) Words that indicate reasons.

When you want to explain what you said or the reasons of your viewpoint, you can use words like these: because, on account of, since, for that reason, and so, as, as a result, as for, as for those, because, because of, being that, different from this, due to, for that, for the reason that, given that, hence, henceforth, in response to, in spite of, in that case, in the end, in view of, inasmuch as, now that, on account of, over all, owing to and so on.

3) Words that indicate clarification.

When you want to explain something in detail, these words may help: that is to say, to clarify, in other words, to rephrase it, to explain, to put it another way, actually, another way, especially, for instance, i.e., in other words, in particular, in this case, mainly, namely, one case that, particularly, specifically, that is, that is to say, to put it in another way, to rephrase it, up to a point.

4) Words that indicate conclusion.

If you want to summarize one paragraph or one article, you can select one of words like these:to conclude, finally, all in all, as a final point, as a result, at last, consequently, finally, hence, if not, if so, implies that, in conclusion, in retrospect, in that case, in the end, last but not least, lastly, otherwise, that being the case, then, therefore, thereupon, thus, ultimately, under those circumstances, whence

5) Words that indicate condition.

To add conditions to your conclusion or to support your view, you can use words as follows: as long as, as such, even if, given that, if, in case, in the event that, on condition that, on the condition that, only if, provided that, so long as, unless.

6) Words that indicate continuation.

These words represent continuation in term of time. If you want select one to express yourself: as, as far as, following this further, henceforward, hereafter, immediately thereafter, in the same way, last of all, not long after, so far, thus far, together with, up to now, with respect to.

7) Words that indicate continuation contrast.

If you want compare one thing to another to find out the advantages and disadvantages between them, you can use words like these: yet, on the contrary, but, and yet, in contrast, however, nevertheless, notwithstanding, though, nonetheless, on the other hand, otherwise, after all, at the same time.

Words that indicate continuation effect or result.

Sometimes, we want to explain the effect resulted by something, we can select one from the below: therefore, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, as a result, accordingly, as a result, consequently, finally, for this reason, hence, if and only if, so much, so that, therefore, thus.

There are still other categories that hadn’t been listed here. By classifying the transition words, you can choose a better one as you need easily. Hope that this article can give you some help for your writing.

Are you the parent of a child in high school receiving special education services? Are you concerned that your child with autism is not receiving appropriate transition services to be prepared for life after school? Would you like to have more information about graduation and special education? This article will give you 5 things that you will need to know as a parent as your child heads toward graduation.

1. A child with a disability has the right to be educated from the age of 3 until their 22nd birthday. Check your child’s IEP if they are in high school and make sure that the graduation date listed is up until your child’s 22nd birthday not sooner.

2. Special education personnel cannot graduate your child just because they have enough credits. The law requires that special education personnel keep other things in mind when determining a graduation date. My son Shaun’s school tried this trick on me and I did not bite, but successfully advocated against graduation, because he still needed services.

3. The definition of special education is: individually based education that prepares a student for post school learning, employment, independent living and financial self sufficiency. If a child continues to need functional skills training, more academic learning, help in areas of skill deficits, transition services, job skills and training, and/or related services they are not ready to graduate.

4. Many states have developed a certificate of completion instead of giving children a regular high school diploma. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that special education services end when a child receives a regular education diploma. Services do not end if the child receives a certificate of completion and still requires special education services to benefit from their education.

5. 26 States in the USA have or are planning to have high stake exit exams. This may affect your child’s ability to attend post school learning. Due to litigation some states have offered waivers to children with disabilities. Check with your states department of education to determine if they have high stake exit exams.

Many states do not have enough adult disability services for all of the people that need them. This is the reason that it is critical to have your child stay in school as long as they can. Use this information to help your child receive the transition services they need so that they will be prepared for post school learning, and independent living.