TRANSITIONS BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS (Organization)

Good transitions connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole. Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help readers understand how paragraphs work together, reference one another, and build to a larger point.

Rather than write a generic transition that could connect any paragraph to any other paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific paragraph.

How to Write a Good Transition In order to produce good transitions, you must find connections between corresponding paragraphs.

By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from previous ones, writers can develop important points for their readers.

The FORMULA: Mention the old, bring in the new + connecting statement.

The STEPS for writing a good transition: 1. Find the connection between the two paragraphs 2. Write the transition using the formula

Example #1:

Previous paragraph topic: Overall, Management Systems has increased their sales, leading to a significant rise in third-quarter profits.

New paragraph topic: The company started to expand

Old Transition Statement: Another important thing to note is that the corporation had expanded its international influence.

REVISION

Step 1 Find Connection: One was the result of the other

Step 2 Write Transition using formula: These impressive profits (OLD TOPIC) are largely due to (connection)the corporation's expanded international influence. (NEW TOPIC)

Transition: These impressive profits are largely due to the corporation’s expanded international influence.

Example #2:

Previous paragraph topic: Fearing for the loss of Danish lands, Christian IV signed the Treaty of Lubeck, effectively ending the Danish phase of the 30 Years War.

New Paragraph Topic: Swedish Intervention

Old Transition Statement: But then something else significant happened. The Swedish intervention began.

REVISION

Step 1 Find Connection: One happened after the other

Step 2 Write Transition using formula: Shortly after (connection) Danish forces withdrew (OLD TOPIC ), the Swedish intervention began. (NEW TOPIC)

Transition: Shortly after Danish forces withdrew, the Swedish intervention began.

Example #3:

Previous Paragraph Topic: Amy became a famous author after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list.

New Topic: She was in a garage band.

Old Transition: There are other things to note about Tan as well. also participates in the satirical garage band the with and .

REVISION

Step 1 Find Connection: One is well-known; the other is not

Step 2 Write Transition using formula: Though her fiction (OLD TOPIC) is well known(part of the connection), her work with the satirical garage band, the Rock Bottom Remainders, (NEW TOPIC) receives far less publicity.(rest of the connection)

Transition: Though her fiction is well known, her work with the satirical garage band, the Rock Bottom Remainders, receives far less publicity.