Transitions

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Unit Overview

Objectives, summary, and time frame

Overview

In argumentative, informative, and narrative writing students are expected to use transi-

tions to create cohesion, clarify, and convey sequence and signal shifts. This lesson is designed

to teach students what transitions are, what their purpose is, and how to use them. More im-

portantly, this lesson seeks to help students understand the relationship between sentence

parts, sentences, and paragraphs in order to use them properly.

This lesson is designed for benchmark and strategic learners. After students are introduced

to the types of transitions and their uses they will complete manipulative activities, have op-

portunities to practice using transitions in sentences, rewrite a paragraph using the correct

transitions, and complete a quiz. (The quiz is located in the Resource section to be used if so

desired.)

Note that all of the time estimates are estimates, beholden to the level of the class, the time

of year this lesson is being used, and the personal style of the teacher.

ELA Standards addressed:

W 7.1.c—Use words, phrases, and clauses to create

cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s),

reasons, and evidence.

W 7.2.c—Use appropriate transitions to create cohe-

sion and clarify the relationships among ideas and

concepts.

W 7.3.c—Use a variety of transition words, phrases,

and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from

one time frame or setting to another

ELD Standards addressed:

 Use more complex vocabulary and sentences ap-

propriate for language arts and other content ar-

eas.

 Use expanded vocabulary and descriptive words

in paraphrasing oral and written responses to

texts.

Transitions

Content Objectives:

1. Students show prior knowledge of transitions

by creating a Circle Map.

2. Students organize transitions into logical cate-

gories by using manipulatives.

Language Objectives:

1. Students draft a Quickwrite explaining at least

three transitions they’re committed to using

this year.

2. Students determine where to place transitions

by reading for cues in sentences and para-

graphs.

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Unit Overview

Objectives, summary, and time frame

Transitions

2-3 Days

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Lesson 1

Introducing the vocabulary and purpose of transitions

Content Objective: Students show

prior knowledge of transitions by cre-

ating a Circle Map.

Language Objective: Students draft a

Quickwrite explaining at least three

transitions they’re committed to using

this year.

40-50 minutes

Access prior knowledge.

Assess

Inform students that today they will be learning about transitions. Let them know that they

experience ―transition‖ every day; therefore, even if they may not be familiar with the word

they are familiar with the concept.

 Explain that students transition from home to school and from one class to the next. Tell

them that now they will use transitions in their writing to make it organized, clear and

easy to read, and interesting. Some students may be unfamiliar with the concept of transi-

tion—what the word itself means.

 Ask students if they’ve heard the word before, perhaps in sports, as in ―transition game‖.

Take time here to have students share their prior knowledge. Explain that the term means

―moving from one condition or place to another one‖. In sports, it may refer to moving from

offense to defense.

 Perhaps ask if they know what a car transmission does (This metaphor is helpful later in

the lesson when explaining the uses for different kinds of transitions. You wouldn’t choose

reverse when you want to go forward and you wouldn’t choose a contrast transition when

trying to indicate time sequence.).

 Some students might grasp the concept if they are told that transitions are words or

phrases that are like a bridge between ideas. Transitions keep the reader from getting lost

and confused. Explain that transitions are most often found at the beginning of sentences;

however, they can occur within the sentence itself. Explain that good writers use transi-

tion words to help move the reader from

one thought to another, from one idea to

another.

 Do a short pre-assessment with the stu-

dents. First, make sure they have a pencil.

Have them make a Circle Map like the one

below. In pencil, have them write in all the

transition words they use in their own

writing.

 After they make their maps, have them

share with a partner next to them. They

should tell their partner the transition

words they use in their writing and what

their definition for transition is.

W 7.2.c—Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion

and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

Transitions

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Categorize transition usage.

Instruction

Given that there are numerous categories of transitions and transition words, this activity

has narrowed the focus to six types of transitions. You know your students best, so if you feel

they can handle a lengthier (or shorter) list, give it to them. Feel free to add your favorites to

the Tree Map.

 Before you start the lesson, ensure that each student has a copy of the ―Transitions: Exam-

ple Sentences by Type‖ (Resource 1) and a box of colored pencils that includes black, red,

green, blue, orange, purple, pink, and brown (or any 7 colors to your choosing).

 While students can readily access a list of transition words from various ―how to‖ writing

handouts, through this lesson the students should take ownership of their list by creating

it as modeled by the teacher. The hope is that the students will refer to their own lists

when needed more regularly than a prefabricated resource.

 Explain that each of the six types of transitions has a specific purpose, and that we will

build a Tree Map on the back of the handout to list the types, their purpose, and commonly

used transitions of that type: adding information – giving more information, giving exam-

ples/clarifying – stating an example, showing a contrast – how something is different,

showing a comparison/similarity – how something is the same, showing time sequence –

stating what time order something occurs/happens (chronology), showing cause and effect

– the result of some action

 Remind the students that writers use different types of transitions to make their meaning

clear and cohesive. Make the Tree Map with your students as part of your instruction. De-

pending on the time allotted, build the map in your own writing, thinking aloud as you go.

 Guiding your students through examples for each type of transition can be done in one of

two ways. First, the teacher and students can build the Tree Map and then turn it over to

record the examples. The second way would be to flip from one side to the next, writing the

examples right after learning the transition. Teaching style and student population will

determine which method is beneficial for each class.

 You may also allow students to independently or collaboratively to add to the list, again

depending on population, style, and preference.

Lesson 1

Introducing the vocabulary and purpose of transitions

Transitions

W 7.2.c—Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion

and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

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Take the language off the map.

Practice

After the map and examples have been completed, have students take out their Circle Map

from the first activity. Students should review the map and look at their responses. Most stu-

dents will find that they tend to use the same transitions over and over and produced a fairly

limited list.

 Have students look over their Tree Maps and choose one new transition from each of the

six categories and write it in green (or another second color) on their Circle Map. This is

their ongoing, yearlong commitment to prac-

tice using new transitions in their writing.

 At this point have students tell a partner

which new transitions they commit to using.

 Finish the activity by completing a Quick-

write. Have students respond to the prompt,

―Think and write of at least three scenarios

in which you can use the new transitions to

which you’ve committed .‖

 When this activity is completed, a suggestion

would be to collect the Tree Maps with exam-

ples and laminate them for the students so

that they are still in tact by the end of the

school year.

Lesson 1

Introducing the vocabulary and purpose of transitions

Transitions

W 7.2.c—Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion

and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

Scaffold for Intermediate Fluency

For students having difficulty putting their understanding into

complete sentences in the Quickwrite, provide the following sen-

tence frames to aid expression.

One transition that I plan on using is _____ when I need to

_____. I think another new transition I’ll try out is _____, and I’ll probably try that

one if I need to _____. _____ is a third transition that I’m focusing on this year. I’ll

use it whenever I _____.

ELD Standard:

Use more complex vocabu-

lary and sentences appropri-

ate for language arts and

other content areas.

Extension for Advanced Learners

To expand on the complexity of the Quickwrite, have students who’re advanced use transitions in their

Quickwrite from at least three different categories to explain their use of transitions.

When thinking about the transitions I want to start using, obviously the place and time I’ll have most

my opportunities to use them are in essays. I think I can use “furthermore” in a body paragraph, maybe

even at the start of a body paragraph. “Thus” is a little harder to imagine; although, I think I could use it

at the start of a concluding sentence in a body paragraph to restate my topic sentence. But “meanwhile”

seems like a transition that would work best in a story, so I’ll probably use that when I’m working on a

narrative essay.

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Reinforce transition categories.

Practice

Using Resources 3 and 4, students can practice sorting the transitions by type through the

use of manipulatives.

 Explain to the students that they will be working with a partner to sort transitions to one

of the six categories found on their Tree Map. Have students take out their Tree Maps for

review.

 Allow students two to four minutes to review their maps and then put them away.

 Assign a partner for each student and pass out the materials: one baggie of pre-cut transi-

tion words (individually cut) and one baggie of the six transition categories.

 Allow students seven to ten minutes to sort the transitions into the appropriate categories.

Every student should be engaged and discussing or justifying his/her choices. Enforcing a

rule where students must alternate each placement will bolster engagement. Also, having

students orally express their decision, ―I think _____ is an example of _____ because _____,‖

 Visually monitor student progress. When students have sorted their transitions, allow

them to take out their maps and make any corrections needed.

Content Objective: Students organize

transitions into logical categories by

using manipulatives.

Language Objective: Students deter-

mine where to place transitions by

reading for cues in sentences and para-

graphs.

25-35 minutes

Lesson 2

Practicing with transitions

RI 7.3—Analyze the interactions between individuals, events,

and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or

events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).

Transitions

Scaffold for Intermediate Fluency

To simplify the choices, and make this activity much shorter, the

transition words can be cut out in their boxes by category, rather

than by individual word or phrase. Also provide students with the

sentence frame:

I think _____ is an example of _____ because _____

to ensure language development in addition to content practice.

ELD Standard:

Use expanded vocabulary and

descriptive words in para-

phrasing oral and written

responses to texts.

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Practice with using transitions.

Practice

There are two different practice activities that can be used with students, depending on the

time allotted for practice and the ability of the students. Regardless of the activity assigned,

tell students to use clues from the sentence or passage surrounding the blank space to deter-

mine the best transition to use. For example, tell them to ask themselves: Is the sentence talk-

ing about the sequence of events? Is the sentence adding more information or offering a con-

trast? The answer will indicate what kind of transition to use.

 The ―Transitions Words Worksheet‖ (Resource 5) is geared toward benchmark students

and can be done individually or in pairs.

 During completion of the worksheet, encourage students to finish the entire sheet before

taking out their Tree Maps. Correct as a whole class using volunteers or non-volunteers.

RI 7.3—Analyze the interactions between individuals, events,

and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or

events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).

Scaffold for Intermediate Fluency

Strategic students can use the “Goldilocks and the Three

Bears” (Resource 6) story accompanied by the “Transition

Bridges” (Resource 7). This activity works best in pairs because the

students have to read the story together and then talk about the

task. Students will need scissors and glue sticks to complete the assignment. A set of direc-

tions is in the resource section. This can be copied for each pair or placed under the elmo and

read aloud to the students.

ELD Standard:

Use expanded vocabulary and

descriptive words in para-

phrasing oral and written

responses to texts.

Extension for Advanced Learners

Ask students to watch a portion of a TV newscast with their parents. (Parents may choose to monitor

the broadcast for child-appropriate material.) Students should pay attention to how broadcasters transi-

tion from one story to another, from one department to another (i.e., from political news to the weather

forecast), and from the newscast to commercials. As homework, instruct students to write down the

transition words that were used in the newscast. To clarify the assignment before giving it to students,

the teacher may wish to copy a portion of a newscast (editing out material deemed inappropriate for

young ears/eyes) and show it to students in order to point out a few examples of transitions.

Lesson 2

Practicing with transitions

Transitions

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Provide independent practice.

Tell students that they will be using their knowledge of transitions to rewrite a passage from

a novel. Explain that the transitions have been removed from the passage and the writer did

not publish their work like this.

 Pass out the passage and read it aloud to students. Students should notice that the pas-

sage is very choppy and that some parts don’t make sense.

 After reading, ask them what they thought about the passage. Field some student re-

sponses and discuss, again, the importance of using transitions.

 There are three assignments in the resource section. For a standard Benchmark class use

the Benchmark passage. Students are given a word bank and a passage that does not in-

dicate where the transitions should be. The recommendation here is that students should

work individually, but if scaffolding is still required students can work in pairs or groups.

 Explain that the word bank includes the transitions removed from the passage. On a sepa-

rate piece of paper or on the back, students rewrite the passage using the transitions in

the word bank.

W 7.3.c—Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and

clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one

time frame or setting to another.

Lesson 2

Practicing with transitions

Transitions

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Transition Example Sentences by Type

Transition Type

Transitions

Example Sentences

adding

information

and, not only…but

also, also, moreover,

furthermore, in

addition

giving

examples/clarifying

for example, for

instance, specifically,

in particular, the

first example is,

the second example

showing a

contrast

but, however, on the

other hand,

otherwise, instead,

in contrast, although

showing a

comparison/similarity

likewise, similarly,

in the same way, just

as, as, too, again,

thus

showing a

time sequence

first, second, finally,

in conclusion, in

summary, meanwhile,

to sum up

showing a

cause & effect

so, as a result,

therefore, thus,

as a consequence,

consequently

Resource 1

Transition Examples by Type

Transitions

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Resource 2

Transition Examples by Type (Key)

Transitions

Transition Example Sentences by Type

Transition Type

Transitions

Example Sentences

adding

information

and, not only…but

also, also, moreover,

furthermore, in

addition

We have seen the movie twice, and now we want to see

it again.

Students should be on time. Furthermore, they must be

prepared.

giving

examples/clarifying

for example, for

instance, specifically,

in particular, the

first example is,

the second example

He often eats strange foods. For instance, he once ate

cow brains.

I love fruit. In particular, I like bananas, pineapple, and

berries.

showing a

contrast

but, however, on the

other hand,

otherwise, instead,

in contrast, although

Bill earned an A on his essay, but Susan got a B.

She hates housecleaning. On the other hand, she

doesn't mind cooking.

showing a

comparison/similarity

likewise, similarly,

in the same way, just

as, as, too, again,

thus

Math was hard for me in high school. Likewise, it is hard

in college.

Rock climbing takes much practice and skill. In the same

way, learning to write well requires a great deal of

practice.

showing a

time sequence

first, second, finally,

in conclusion, in

summary, meanwhile,

to sum up

First, she went to the grocery store.

Second, she put many tasty treats in her cart.

Finally, she paid for her items.

showing a

cause & effect

so, as a result,

therefore, thus,

as a consequence,

consequently

She studied hard for the exam, as a result, she earned an “A”.

I forgot to set my alarm, as a consequence I was late to school.

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Resource 3

Manipulatives

Transitions

Transition Categories

adding

information

giving examples/clarifying

showing a

contrast

showing a

comparison/similarity

showing a

time sequence

showing a

cause & effect

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Resource 4

Manipulatives

Transitions

Transition Words

and

not only…but also

also

moreover

furthermore

in addition

for example

for instance

specifically

in particular

the first example is

the second example

but

however

on the other hand

otherwise

instead

in contrast

although

likewise

similarly

in the same way

just as

as

too

again

thus

first

second

finally

in conclusion

in summary

meanwhile

to sum up

so

as a result

therefore

thus

as a consequence

consequently

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Resource 5

Transition Words Worksheet

Transitions

TRANSITION WORDS

Transition words are used to link sentences and ideas. If you use them correctly, your writing will be

easier to understand and more mature. Look for transitions when you are reading the newspaper, a

magazine, or a book. Notice how other writers have used these words then try to use them yourself in

your own writing.

Directions: For practice, use the transitions at the right in the sentences at the left. In each group, use a

transition only once. Read each sentence carefully so that you can choose an appropriate transition.

Capitalize when necessary.

1. I would like to see you tomorrow, _______________ let’s have lunch together.

2. My sister loves to eat, _______________ I don’t care much about food.

3. When you begin an exercise program, you must be careful not to overdo it.

My father, _______________, hurt his back by exercising too hard without

warming up first.

4. She had looked everywhere for a job; _______________, she was called for

an interview.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5. She had been studying for hours. _______________, she hoped to do

well on the test.

6. First, Mary went to the store. _______________, she went to visit her mother.

7. I would like to read many books; _______________, I don’t seem to have

enough time to read.

8. John ate and ate; _______________, he never gained weight.

9. Joe ate too fast. _______________, he had indigestion.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. He stayed up too late last night; _______________, he slept until noon.

11. I want you to buy milk, eggs, and fruit juice; _______________,

I want you to be sure to get cereal and ice cream.

12. I was concentrating on my homework. _______________,

the soup boiled over.

13. _______________, I will boil the water. Second, I will brew the tea,

and _______________, I will serve it.

14. Joe, _______________, happens to be my best friend.

15. Jane studies all the time; _______________, Billy never studies.

Word Bank

for example

finally

but

so

to the left

beyond

still

Word Bank

third

similarly

nevertheless

however

as a result

then

therefore

for instance

Word Bank

in contrast

consequently

until then

in fact

third

meanwhile

furthermore

first

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Resource 5

Transition Words Worksheet continued

Transitions

Using Transitions

Directions: Create on original sentence or pair of sentences using the transition indicated.

1. for example

2. furthermore

3. nevertheless

4. meanwhile

5. however

6. as a result

7. without a doubt

8. consequently

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Resource 6

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Transitions

Goldilocks and the Three Bears”

As retold by Professor Pen

Once upon a time there were three bears -

Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and wee Baby Bear.

They lived in a quaint little cottage in the

middle of the forest.

One beautiful spring morning, the bears sat

down to eat their porridge. "It's too hot!"

squealed Baby Bear.

"Ouch! This porridge needs to cool off a bit,"

agreed Papa Bear.

___________the three bears decided to go for

a stroll in the woods while their porridge

cooled.

___________________, a curious little girl

named Goldilocks was out walking in the

woods. She saw the bears' cute little house

and couldn't resist meeting its occupants. She

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Resource 6

Goldilocks and the Three Bears continued

Transitions

went straight to the door and knocked. There

was no answer.

So Goldilocks went right in!

Goldilocks saw the three bowls of porridge

and decided to have a taste.

______________, she took a taste from the

great big bowl. "Too hot!" she cried.

Next, she tried the middle-sized bowl. "Too

cold!" she said.

___________ she had a taste from the wee

little bowl. "Yum! Just right!" she said, and

ate every last bit of Baby Bear's porridge.

After she had eaten, Goldilocks saw three

chairs. She sat down in the great big Papa

Bear chair. "Too hard!" she thought.

___________, she tried the middle-sized

chair. "Too soft!" she said, sinking into the

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Resource 6

Goldilocks and the Three Bears continued

Transitions

chair.

____________, Goldilocks sat down on wee

Baby Bear's chair.

"Just right!" _____________ she sat down so

hard that the chair collapsed into pieces. 󳋡

__________________, Goldilocks was

starting to get very sleepy. She climbed up the

stairs and found three beds. First, she tried the

great big Papa Bear bed. "Too hard!"

Next, she tried the middle-sized bed. "Too

soft!"

Then, she tried the wee little Baby Bear bed.

"Just right!" She fell fast asleep.

When the three bears came back from their

little walk in the woods, they were in for a big

surprise.

Papa Bear said in his great big voice,

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Resource 6

Goldilocks and the Three Bears continued

Transitions

"Someone's been eating my porridge!"

Mama Bear said in her middle-sized voice,

"Someone's been eating my porridge!"

Then Baby Bear said in his wee little voice,

"Someone's been eating my porridge - and it's

all gone!"

Papa bear went into the living room. He said

in his great big voice, "Someone's been sitting

in my chair!"

"Someone's been sitting in my chair!" said

Mama Bear in her middle-sized voice.

Baby Bear said in his wee little voice,

"Someone's been sitting in my chair - and

broke it to pieces!"

Then they went upstairs.

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed!" said

Papa Bear in his great big voice.

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Resource 6

Goldilocks and the Three Bears continued

Transitions

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed!" said

Mama Bear in her medium-sized voice.

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed, and

there she is!" cried Baby Bear in his wee little

voice.

_______________, Goldilocks woke up. She

ran out of the cute little house as fast as she

could, never to return.

The End

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Resource 7

Transition Bridges

Transitions

At about

the same time

Finally

Consequently

By this time

Immediately

So

In spite of this

First

But

Lastly

Not surprisingly

By this time

Then

Meanwhile

At this

However

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Resource 8

Transition Bridges

Transitions

Directions for “Goldilocks” Bridges Activity

Transitions are words or phrases that are like a bridge between

ideas. They keep the reader from getting lost and confused.

Transitions are most often found at the beginning of sentences;

however, they can occur within the sentence itself.

1. Read the story with your partner.

2. You should notice that some words and phrases

are missing.

3. Using the bridges handout, cut each out and

discuss with your partner where to place the

words or phrases so that the story flows

smoothly.

4. There are more bridges than you need.

5. Glue into place. Re-read the story.

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Resource 9

this world we live in Cloze

Transitions

Excerpt from this world we live in by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Word Bank

and when now and and if

and but also, but and

when if but

Directions: The following passage has been altered (changed). The transition

words/phrases have been removed. Rewrite the paragraph using the transition

words/phrases in the word bank above. There is one word for each blank.

__________ you’d asked me a week ago what it would take for me to

feel better, I would’ve said knowing how Dad and Lisa and the baby were,

meeting a boy my own age, _________ running water.

__________ I have all three. I guess I must feel better.

Dad and Matt got the water running again, which, with ten people and

a baby in the house, is a really good thing. All that snow and rain have

finally paid off, __________ the sound of the toilets flushing is music to

everybody’s ears.

Gabriel isn’t exactly baby Rachel, __________ I think he’s screaming

a little less. Mom says Jon was colicky __________ I don’t remember.

Charlie is great with the baby. I think the only times Gabriel isn’t crying is

_________ he’s nursing __________ Charlie sings him lullabies.

Alex may not be the teenage boy of my dreams, _________ he is a

teenage boy. He’s eighteen, __________ things had stayed normal, he’d be

graduating high school this month __________ preparing to go to

Georgetown. Julie told Jon, who told Mom, who told Matt, who told me.

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Excerpt from this world we live in by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Word Bank

and when now and and if

and but also, but and

when if but

Directions: The following passage has been altered (changed). The transition

words/phrases have been removed. Rewrite the paragraph using the transition

words/phrases in the word bank above. Each word is used on time.

You’d asked me a week ago what it would take for me to feel better, I

would’ve said knowing how Dad and Lisa and the baby were, meeting a boy

my own age, running water.

I have all three. I guess I must feel better.

Dad and Matt got the water running again, which, with ten people and

a baby in the house, is a really good thing. All that snow and rain have

finally paid off, the sound of the toilets flushing is music to everybody’s

ears.

Gabriel isn’t exactly baby Rachel, I think he’s screaming a little less.

Mom says Jon was colicky I don’t remember. Charlie is great with the baby.

I think the only times Gabriel isn’t crying is he’s nursing Charlie sings him

lullabies.

Alex may not be the teenage boy of my dreams, he is a teenage boy.

He’s eighteen, things had stayed normal, he’d be graduating high school this

month preparing to go to Georgetown. Julie told Jon, who told Mom, who

told Matt, who told me.

Resource 10

this world we live in

Transitions

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Resource 11

this world we live in Follow-up

Transitions

this world we live in Assignment

Types of Transitions Used

Directions: For each of the transitions you added to the

paragraph rewrite, label the type of transition that it is. For

example: as a result = showing a cause & effect, finally = showing

a time sequence.

1. _______________ = ______________________

2. _______________ = ______________________

3. _______________ = ______________________

4. _______________ = ______________________

5. _______________ = ______________________

6. _______________ = ______________________

7. _______________ = ______________________

8. _______________ = ______________________

9. _______________ = ______________________

10. _______________ = ______________________

11. _______________ = ______________________

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Resource 12

this world we live in Key

Transitions

Teacher Key

Excerpt from this world we live in by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Word Bank

and when now and and if

and but also, but and

when if but

Directions: The following passage has been altered (changed). The transition

words/phrases have been removed. Rewrite the paragraph using the transition

words/phrases in the word bank above.

If you’d asked me a week ago what it would take for me to feel better,

I would’ve said knowing how Dad and Lisa and the baby were, meeting a

boy my own age, and running water.

Now I have all three. I guess I must feel better.

Dad and Matt got the water running again, which, with ten people and

a baby in the house, is a really good thing. All that snow and rain have

finally paid off, and the sound of the toilets flushing is music to everybody’s

ears.

Gabriel isn’t exactly baby Rachel, but I think he’s screaming a little

less. Mom says Jon was colicky also, but I don’t remember. Charlie is great

with the baby. I think the only times Gabriel isn’t crying is when he’s

nursing and when Charlie sings him lullabies.

Alex may not be the teenage boy of my dreams, but he is a teenage

boy. He’s eighteen, and if things had stayed normal, he’d be graduating high

school this month and preparing to go to Georgetown. Julie told Jon, who

told Mom, who told Matt, who told me.

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Resource 13

Quiz

Transitions

TRANSITION WORD Quiz:

PART I: FINDING TRANSITIONS:

Directions: Read the following sentences carefully. Then, locate and circle or underline each transition word

that compares or contrasts.

1. I was anxious to leave. However, we had to wait until Uncle Pete arrived.

2. Mother told us to hurry onto the bus. Otherwise, we all would have been caught in the rain.

3. I make my sandwich in the same way that Shawna does. We both use food that is peanut free because of our

food allergies.

4. I asked about the homework, but neither Todd nor Antonio knew what had been assigned.

5. Even though it was very cold, Mary Beth did not wear a jacket.

B. Write one or more sentences using and circling at least one transition word that either compares or contrasts.

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________________________

PART II: USING TRANSITIONS

Directions: Transition words have been left out of the following paragraph. Select appropriate words from the

list below, and write them in the proper places. There can be more than one word that fits in some places. Select

the one that you think fits best.

Meanwhile

As a result of

First

Once upon a time

While

Through

Beside

Then

(1) ______________________________________ there lived a family of bears in a lovely wooded area. Their

home was (2)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ some trees (3)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a small stream. One day (4)__________________________________

the bears were not at home, a little girl came to the house.(5)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ , she knocked on the door. (6)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, even though no one

answered her knock, she entered the house. (7)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, she ate some of

the bears' food, and she napped on one of their beds. (8)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,

the bears returned home. They were surprised to see their door open. Their roars woke up the girl, and she

fearfully ran from the house, (9)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the woods, and

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Resource 13

Quiz continued

Transitions

back to her own home. (10)__________________________________her experiences, she never again went

into the woods alone.

PART III: TRANSITION PURPOSE

Directions: Circle the correct answer to each question.

1. Which transition word shows location?

a. for example

b. below

c. then

2. Which transition word shows time?

a. between

b. in other words

c. later

3. Which transition word adds information?

a. in addition

b. over

c. earlier

4. Which transition word compares and contrasts?

a. earlier

b. besides

c. otherwise

5. Which transition word clarifies?

a. first

b. besides

c. in other words

PART IV: WRITING STATEMENTS USING TRANSITIONS

1. Write a statement. Then, write a statement that clarifies. (Ex: My brother runs fast. As a result, he won every

race.)

2. Write a statement. Then, write a sentence beginning with “for example.” (Ex: Sally is a helpful girl.

For example, she helps her father prepare breakfast.)

3. Write a statement. Then write a statement that adds to your previous statement. (Ex: I’m addicted to watching

American Idol. As well, I like to envision what song I’d sing as a contestant.)

4. Write a statement. Then write a statement that indicates a sequence. (Ex: I picked up the pen. Then, I wrote

on the paper.)