Can’t get there from here - Transitions

Jul 23rd, 2008 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

The Problem:

Your readers often wonder how you got there.

The solution:

Use more effective transitions.

Think of transitions as Hanzel and Gretel’s breadcrumbs; they help lead the reader from one point to another. Without them, the reader gets lost and confused, and when the stumble on to your next paragraph, they wonder why it’s there.

To keep the reader from feeling lost and confused, use words and phrases that show the logical relation between your points. For example:

I got hit in the face with an orange when I was a kid. I don’t like fruit.

The second sentence is a non sequitur because it doesn’t have an effective transition. Try this instead:

I got hit in the face with an orange when I was a kid. Consequently, I don’t like fruit.

The word consequently lets us know that you don’t like fruit because you were hit in the face with an orange and reassures us of your ability to hold a conversation without being … hey, a dime!

Sorry, I got distracted back there.

To continue, transitions form a guided tour through your thoughts. When writing a rough draft, you may have all your thoughts on paper; you probably even know how they relate. But you have to go back and fill in the blanks for the reader if they’re going to appreciate your wisdom and insight.

When should you use transition words and phrases? At least at the beginning of every paragraph, linking your distinct points together in a meaningful way. Every sentence is too often, though some sentences may call for it.

In the links below you can find printouts with lists of transition words that you can use. Don’t use them all! Save some for the rest of us. Instead, gently sprinkle them throughout your work until you’re confident that there won’t be any confusion.

I like fruit.

P.S. The astute reader will note that I’ve handily bolded all the transitions so you can see the effect.
For more information, visit these sites: