January 6, 2012 at 10:22am
WORD FOR THE DAY "transition" (n) "1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change: 2. Music: passing from one key to another; modulation; 3.a passage from one scene to another by sound effects, music, etc., as in a television program, theatrical production, or the like." (v) "4. to make a transition." Example"I am in transition." Also: "Use a transition or transitional technique for more effective writing." (dictionary.com)
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"Good transitions can connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole." – Purdue Online Writing Lab
"Transition words, such as but and however have been called the 'traffic lights' of language." – The Little Red Writing Book,
by Brandon Royal.
Transitional techniques use words wisely
Make your writing smoother and more coherent by linking ideas on the page, and following through to a conclusion. You may use transitional words/phrases or a technique that I call “mirroring.”
No doubt, you’ve been taught the technique of using common transitional words/phrases. The four types indicate: contrast (e.g. however, yet), illustration (e.g. for example, for instance), continuation (e.g. furthermore, moreover), and conclusion (e.g. thus, finally). Knowing these words/phrases comes in pretty handy.
Another handy technique was taught by my high school writing teacher, Mrs. Matson. This I call mirroring. Pick up a word (or phrase) from the last sentence of your paragraph and repeat it in the first sentence of your new paragraph. This repetition is not a mistake, but a thoughtful device to bridge your paragraphs more subtly.
See my examples, below:
1.
Pokegama Golf Course merits your investigation. Its wooded setting, lake view, accommodating space, imaginative cuisine, and attentive service will impress.
Most impressive is the panoramic design of the club house and restaurant.
2.
Think of your Last Will and Testament as a road map, with designation as the destination.
Next, ask yourself, “When I go, who gets my stuff?”
A Will legally disposes of your “stuff” (property) after your death, according to the particular laws of the state where you lived.
Find more examples from the Purdue Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/01/ .
Start using transitional techniques today, and you'll see an improvement in your writing effectiveness.



