ACADEMIC WRITING IApril 10th 2012

Today• Transitions

• Peer editing/feedback

Overuse of transition signals• When editing and revising:

• - Try reading the paragraph out loud.

• - If it sounds like you are using too many transitions, there probably are.

• - Too many transitions in a paragraph can be more distracting than helpful.

Overuse of transition signals• There is no hard rule about how many transitions should

be in a paragraph.

• Only use them where you think they can help reader.

Transitions BETWEEN paragraphs• Within a paragraph, transitions provide coherence: a

sense that the paragraph contains one main argument or idea.

• Between paragraphs, paragraph transition help with the flow of writing from beginning to end, as well as the sense of the coherence of the whole essay.

Transitions BETWEEN paragraphs

• Put transitions at the BEGINNING of a new paragraph.

• - Shows the reader how your new topic connects to what came before it.

Transitions BETWEEN paragraphs• Do not put the transition at the end of the previous paragraph.

• - This sounds like you're bringing up a new point and then dropping it, which can confuse your reader.

• - Paragraphs should almost always end with the main point of that paragraph, not some new point.

Example from last class• Native American Influences on Modern U.S. culture

• Paragraph 1 ends with the thesis statement.• “…Native Americans have made many valuable

contributions to modern U.S. culture, particularly in the areas of language, art, food, and government.”

• Paragraph 2 begins:• “First of all, Native Americans left a permanent mark on

the English language.”

• Paragraph 2 ends.• “ …tabacco, and squash are just a few examples.”• - Finishes the topic of the paragraph.

• Paragraph 3 begins:• “Although the vocabulary of English is the area that

shows the most Native American influence, it is on the only area of U.S. culture that has been shaped by contact with the Native Americans.”

• Paragraph 3 ends.• “Indeed, native art and handicrafts are a treasured part of

U.S. culture.”

• Paragraph 4 begins:• “In addition to language and art, agriculture is another

area in which Native Americans had a great and lasting influence on the peoples who arrived here…”

• Paragraph 4 ends.• Now they are staples in the U.S. diet.”

• Paragraph 4 begins:• “Finally, it may surprise some people to learn that

citizens of the United States are also indebted to the native people for our form of government.

Transitioning between paragraphs• Make use of transition signals at the beginning of the new

paragraph.

• Repeat important nouns or ideas (i.e., Native Americans, culture).

• Sometimes refer to the previous topic.

• ESSAY FORMAT NOTES

• The essay should be typed.

• There should be a title at the top of the first page (centered)

• Your name and student number should be at the top left hand side (above the title).

• ESSAY FORMAT NOTES

• Double-spaced

• The first line of EVERY paragraph should be indented (use <Tab> button).

• Use 12 pt. font • -The font should be “serif style” like:• Times New Roman• OR• Courier

NameStudent number

The World’s Greatest City

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