Fear not, Gentle Writer, Mrs. Grammar Person knows you've been working hard and is sure that you deserve a break. To that end, she has invited you to join her for tea and, while you rest up, she will tell you a story. Mrs. G.P. reminds us that all writing should tell a story and have a proper beginning, middle, and end. But, what is the glue that holds it all together? Mrs. G. P. is glad you asked that--you talented grammarians! She will explain everything by and by, but, for now, she asks that you sit back, sip your Darjeeling and relax. Chocolate biscuit, anyone?
What kind of story would you
like to hear? Our favorite grammarian has a wonderful idea, one that includes audience
participation--a "build-your-own-story", if you like. Once she begins her tale, please pay
attention and, whenever she pauses,
you may fill in the blank from the choices she provides. Are you ready?
Once upon a time, there was
a lonely monkey/orphan/misshapen potato
making his way through the world as best he could. If anyone asked him, he
would say that all he ever wanted in life was the chance to marry a stockbroker/judge a beauty contest/compete on Jeopardy, but he knew that this dream was out of reach, so he looked for a job instead. Nobody would to give him a chance; they all said
he was too cantankerous/sleep-deprived/mountaineering.
Frustrated, our hero turned to a life of crime and stole the king's favorite grilled cheese sandwich/talking parrot/thesaurus.
After
that
fateful day, our hero had to live on the run, or risk prison. In the
beginning, he believed he needed only three things to survive. First, he needed his wits; second, his nerve; and finally, his silly string/pet ocelot/castanets. Also, he could have used a friend. In addition, finding a hot meal seemed fairly urgent. To be sure, he wasn't used to such a
hard life. If only he could find his
favorite food: figgy pudding/milk
moustache/fried grasshoppers, he knew he would feel better. Equally important was a place to rest
his head, preferably somewhere without bedbugs/fleas/a
mint on the pillow. Finally, after
searching everywhere, our hero found the perfect job, one that provided food
and shelter, friendship and camaraderie. Above
all, it gave him a reason to get up in the morning. In short, it was the best job ever, notwithstanding the fact that he was covered with dirt and mud all
the time. In sum, he was deliriously
happy working as a golf ball retriever/gopher
tracker/dumpster diver and was quite good at it. As a result, he eventually earned the king's pardon. It also helped
that he returned the king's grilled
cheese sandwich/talking parrot/thesaurus. At last,
our tale is done.
More tea, anyone? Now that
you have enjoyed our little story, it's time to talk about that glue, the handy
words and phrases that connect our disparate thoughts and make them flow like a
gentle brook through a verdant meadow, like caramel syrup over creamy custard,
like--well, you get the picture. What are these useful links called? Anyone?
Yes! They are transition words and are
in bold above. While all of them are
connectors, they serve different functions.
Some transitional words are
used to indicate similarity. A few
examples are: in addition, likewise,
furthermore, in the same way, and as
well as.
Contrastingly, some
transitional words are used to indicate dissimilarity
or contradiction. A few examples are: in
contrast, on the other hand, although, and yet, and however.
Other
transitional
words are used for emphasis. A few
examples are: in fact, indeed, of
course, truly, and even.
And
some
transitional words are used for place or
position. A few examples are: above,
adjacent to, beyond, below, and in
front.
Yet
other
transitional words are used to indicate
consequence. A few examples are: as
a result, consequently, accordingly, thus, and therefore.
Still
other
transitional words are used to indicate sequence.
A few examples are: after, during,
earlier, to begin with, and next.
Other
transitional words are used to indicate exemplifying.
A few examples are: specifically, such as, namely, to
illustrate, and for example.
In this next group,
transitional words are used to show the
priority of the writer's thoughts. A
few examples are: above all, in the
first place, of less/greater importance, moreover, and for one reason.
In the
following group, transitional words are
used to provide additional support or
evidence. A few examples are: additionally, equally important, furthermore, in addition, and moreover.
In our final group, transitional
words are used to show conclusion or
summary, usually of an essay. A few
examples are: in conclusion, in short, in
summary, to conclude, and thus.
Congratulations! You have mastered
the concept of transitions--and without even trying. Look at Mrs. Grammar
Person beaming with pride. But, don't go yet, please have another biscuit as
Mrs. G.P. has one more thing to tell you and it is this: no matter what you
write, be it a novel, a treatise, an essay, or a poem, you always have the same
three goals: present the problem, work through the problem, resolve the
problem. Once you've learned how to write a beginning, a middle and an end, you'll
be able to tell your own stories. And what could be better than that? Nothing--except
for tea with Mrs. Grammar Person, of course.
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