When it comes to comparing and contrasting in an essay, looking at a chart and picking a random transition word may not do the trick. As explained in an informational writing handout, the words writers use to move from one idea to another have unique meanings. The handout highlights the nuances and specialized uses of different transition words used to compare/contrast, show cause/effect, and add additional information.

Concepts

transition words and phrases, transitions, essay writing

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Ask a pair or group of learners to stand at the front of the room, each holding a sentence or part of a sentence, and then challenge a classmate to insert the proper transition word between the parts
• Practice incorporating the same piece of information into a paragraph using different transition words and discuss which works best

Classroom Considerations

• Assumes scholars already know the purpose and importance of transition words within a paper

Pros

• Places information in well-organized tables
• Includes an example of each transition word in use

Cons

• Missing links to additional resources for further study

Common Core

W.9-10.1.c W.9-10.2.c W.9-10.4 W.11-12.1.c W.11-12.2.c W.11-12.4