English for Civil Engineering-S1-University of Riau

Transition Signals

Transition Signals
The sentences in a paragraph should be linked to each other. The parts are connected so the
reader could see in a logical order. Transition signals are words such as first, second, next,
therefore, and however or phrases such as in conclusion, on the other hand, and as a result.
Transition signals acts as a traffic signs that tell your reader when to go forward, turn, slow down
and stop. Transition words give your paragraph coherence. Good writing requires that you use
enough transition signals to make the relationships among your ideas clear.

Compare paragraphs 1 and 2. Both paragraph give the same information, yet one paragraph is
easier to understand then the other because it contains transition signals to lead the reader from
one idea to the next. Which paragraph contains transition signals and is more coherent? Circle
all of the transition 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 onefourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East. There are reasons for this. In warm
climates, 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, water evaporates slowly.
Furthermore, the runoff created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of fresh
water to dilute the saline sea water.

English for Civil Engineering-S1-University of Riau

Transition Signals
These sentences will show you how they are use:
Connectors which show addition:
also, and, as well, besides, furthermore, in addition, moreover

She is taking Life Science and Chemistry in addition to Physics.

Moreover, she is studying Life Science and Astronomy as well.

Connectors which illustrate:

for example, for instance, for one thing

Some rivers in the centre of the Australian continent become quite dry when there is no rain.
For example, the Diamantina is often just a dry river-bed.
For instance, the Diamantina is often just a dry river-bed.

Connectors which show result:

accordingly, as a result, consequently, so, therefore

He missed the school bus. So his uncle got out the car and gave him a lift.
In 1783 the American colonies gained independence. As a result, the British had to send
their convicts somewhere else.

Connectors which show contrast:

however, nevertheless, in spite of this, instead, on the one hand, on the other hand

Most people are frightened of snakes. However, many varieties are harmless.
In the 17th century, Galileo stated that the Earth rotated round the sun. Nevertheless, the
Church refused to accept this fact.

Connectors which show sequence:

finally, next, first (second, third, etc), then

To make fried rice, first fry some onions in a little oil. Then, add small pieces of meat and
vegetables. Next, add some cooked rice. Finally, stir in some soy sauce before you serve
it.

Connectors which show emphasis:

indeed, in fact

Laura is a very pretty girl. In fact, I think she is the pretties girl in the class.
Ours is a multi-lingual school. Indeed, more than forty different languages are spoken there.

Connectors which introduce a conclusion or summary:

in conclusion, in summary, to conclude, to summarize

Connectors which show a choice or alternative:

otherwise, or, if, unless