COHERENCE FROM TRANSITION SIGNALS

Transition Signals

        Transition signals are words such as first, second, next, finally, therefore, and however, or phrases such as in conclusion, on the other hand, and as a result.

        Think of transition signals as traffic signs that tell your reader when to go forward, turn, slow down, and stop. In other words, tell the reader when you are giving a similar idea (similarly, moreover, furthermore, in addition), an opposite idea (on the other hand, however, in contrast), an example (for example), a result (as a result), or a conclusion (in conclusion).

          Using transition words to guide your reader makes it easier to follow your ideas. Transition words give your paragraph coherence.

Practice: Transition Signals

Compare the following two paragraphs. Which paragraph contains transitional signals and is more coherent? Circle all of the transitional signals that you can identify.

Paragraph 1

A difference among the world's seas and oceans is that the salinity varies in different climate zones. The Baltic Sea in Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East. There are reasons for this. In warm climates, water evaporates rapidly. The concentration of salt is greater. The surrounding land is dry and does not contribute much fresh water to dilute the salty sea water. In cold climate zones, water evaporates slowly. The runoff created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of fresh water to dilute the saline sea water.

Paragraph 2

Another difference among the world's seas and oceans is that the salinity varies in different climate zones. For example, the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East. There are two reasons for this. First of all, in warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly: therefore, the concentration of salt is greater. Second, the surrounding land is dry and, consequently, does not contribute much fresh water to dilute the salty sea water. In cold climate zones, on the other hand, water evaporates slowly. Furthermore, the runoff created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of fresh water to dilute the saline sea water.

TYPES OF TRANSITION SIGNALS

 Sentence Connectors

however, therefore, furthermore, for example, on the other hand, in addition,

still, otherwise

Sentence connectors join one 'independent clause with another to form a compound sentence, which is punctuated with a semicolon (;) and a comma (,).

 I dislike mushrooms; therefore, I never eat them.

Mushrooms are good for you; however, I never eat them.

 I dislike mushrooms. Therefore, I never eat them.

Mushrooms are good for you. However, I never eat them.

Notice that the sentence connector following the semicolon is not capitalized. Sentence connectors may also come at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a simple sentence. In these cases, punctuate them with commas as follows:

1. At the beginning:

Therefore, I never eat them.

On the other hand, mushrooms are good for you.

2. In the middle:

I, therefore, never eat them.

Mushrooms, on the other hand, are good for you.

If the sentence connector is one word, the commas may be omitted:

I therefore never eat them.

 3. At the end:

I never eat them, therefore.

Mushrooms are good for you, on the other hand.

Coordinators

Examples:

and, but, yet, or, nor, for, so.

These seven coordinators join two independent clauses to form a compound sentence. Punctuate the sentence with a comma after the first clause.

Mushrooms are good for you, but I dislike them.

I dislike mushrooms, so I never eat them.

Subordinators

Examples:

because, after, since, as, although, if, when

Subordinators introduce a dependent clause that is joined to an independent clause to form a complex sentence. There are two positions for the dependent clause:

1. If the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, use a comma after it.

Although mushrooms are good for you, I dislike them.

Because I dislike mushrooms, I never eat them.

2. If the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, do not use a comma.

I dislike mushrooms although they are good for you.

I never eat mushrooms because I dislike them.

Practice: Recognizing Transition Signals

Circle all of the transitional signals in the following paragraphs.

Paragraph I

         Genetic research has produced both exciting and frightening possibilities. Scientists are now able to create new forms of life in the laboratory due to the development of gene splicing. On one hand the ability to create life in the laboratory could greatly benefit mankind. For example because insulin is very expensive to obtain from natural sources scientists have developed a method to manufacture it inexpensively in the laboratory. Another beneficial application of gene splicing is in agriculture. Scientists foresee the day when new plants will be developed using nitrogen from the air instead of from fertilizer therefore food production could be increased. In addition entirely new plants could be developed to feed the world's hungry people.

        Not everyone is excited about gene splicing however. Some people feel that it could have terrible consequences. A laboratory accident for example might cause an epidemic of an unknown disease that could wipe out humanity. As a result of this controversy the government has made rules to control genetic experiments. Still many people feel that these rules are not strict enough even though the scientific community may feel that they are too strict.

Paragraph 2

      The "women's lib" movement toward greater equality for women has produced some permanent changes in the vocabulary of English. The first change is that new words have been added. The words "feminist" "sexist" and "male chauvinist" for example became common during the past ten years or so. Another new word is the title Ms， which is often used in place of both Miss and Mrs. A second change is that sexist titles of many job occupations have been neutralized. A chairman is now a "chairperson" ；a businessman is a “business person；” and a salesman is a "salesperson." Moreover， a mail-man is now a "mail carrier" and an airline stewardess is now a "flight attendant." Finally， attempts to give equal treatment to masculine and feminine pronouns in English have led to the search for a new pronoun form to replace he (as he/she or s/he) when referring to neutral nouns such as the student. In my opinion， some of the new words such as Ms are quite useful; you can use Ms to address a woman when you don't know if she is married. On the other hand， the lack of a clear neutral pronoun can lead to awkward sentence construction.