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?