Transitioning Paragraphs

Has the word choppy ever been written on one of your papers? If so, your teacher was trying to tell you that your writing was stopping and starting with each new sentence or paragraph, rather than smoothly flowing throughout. Poor transitions between paragraphs are one of the main causes of choppy writing. The following three methods can be employed to connect your paragraphs, and thereby create a smooth flow to your writing submission.

Paragraph Linking Method #1: Introductory linking words and phrases The first method suggests opening each paragraph with a linking word or

phrase. Let’s see how this works by first looking at an excerpt where the writer failed to link the paragraphs.

Poor

One expert on military affairs determined that we are in a more perilous

situation now with the collapse of the Soviet Union than we have ever been. He

argues that the so-called “peace dividend” is wishful thinking by Americans.

Terrorism and growing third world military powers have replaced the controlled

might of the Soviet Union.

The United States must be more on its guard, not only outside of its

boarders, but inside as well. Expenditures for military and security forces will

increase rather than decrease, as many politicians are fond of telling their

constituents. This means even less available money for social problems than

during the Cold War days.

Americans are truly much safer from the threat of a world war than they

have been in the last 100 years, and that is good news for all of us.

Notice how the writing sample below connects the paragraphs with a linking word or a linking phrase. Better

One expert on military affairs determined that we are in a more perilous

situation now with the collapse of the Soviet Union than we have ever been. He

argues that the so-called “peace dividend” is wishful thinking by Americans.

Terrorism and growing third world military powers have replaced the controlled

might of the Soviet Union.

Thus, the United States must be more on its guard, not only outside of its

boarders, but inside as well. Expenditures for military and security forces will

increase rather than decrease, as many politicians are fond of telling their

constituents. This means even less available money for social problems than

during the Cold War days.

Nevertheless, in spite of this gloomy news, Americans are truly much safer

from the threat of a world war than they have been in the last 100 years, and

that is good news for all of us.

Paragraph Linking Method #2: Repeating Key Words

The second method for linking paragraphs involves using a key word at the end of one paragraph, and then repeating it at the beginning of the next paragraph. Notice below how the key word interest links the facts of the first paragraph to the hoped-for consequences set forth in the second paragraph. First, however, let’s look at the disconnected excerpt. Poor

The candidates engaged one another in a series of debates throughout

the state. The debates were lightly attended, but were viewed by many voters

on television. The candidates were surprised by the voters’ interest. Apathy

toward statewide elections was common in the past.

The candidates are hoping for a 50 percent voter turnout, rather than the

usual 20 percent.

Better

The candidates engaged one another in a series of debates throughout

the state. The debates were lightly attended, but were viewed by many voters

on television. The candidates were surprised by the voters’ interest. Apathy

toward statewide elections was common in the past.

The candidates are hoping this interest in the debates carries over into the

voting booths on election day. They are hoping for a 50 percent voter turnout,

rather than the usual 20 percent.

Paragraph Linking Method #3: Ask and then answer a question

The last method involves finishing one paragraph with a question, then answering the question in the following paragraph. Notice in the revised excerpt how the second paragraph links the first and third paragraph by answering the first paragraph’s question and posing a question for the third paragraph to address.

First, the disconnected paragraph:

Poor Teachers from all over the United States are attending the national

conference. The conference is noted for encouraging dialogue concerning

difficult issues facing the teachers. The conference agenda is packed with

discussion items. One receiving the most attention deals with programs and

techniques for helping students to write better.

Writing is a skill activity, and like all skill activities, repetition is the key to

success. We encourage athletes and musicians to practice and hone their skills.

We should do the same with student writing.

Many argue that writing differs from sports and music because athletes and

musicians require only muscle repetition to attain proficiency, whereas writing

proficiency requires applying certain techniques to abstract thoughts.

Better Teachers from all over the United States are attending the national

conference. The conference is noted for encouraging dialogue concerning

difficult issues facing the teachers. The conference agenda is packed with

discussion items. One receiving the most attention deals with the question: “How

can we help our students write better?”

In spite of the complexity of the question, the answer may be as simple

as, “Just make them write more.” Writing is a skill activity, and like all skill

activities, repetition is the key to success. We encourage athletes and musicians

to practice and hone their skill; why note take the same road with student

writing?

Educators respond to this suggestion differently. Many argue that writing

differs from sports and music because athletes and musicians require only

muscle repetition to attain proficiency, whereas writing proficiency requires

applying certain techniques to abstract thoughts.

When confronted with composing a piece with several pages of paragraphs, the

above three methods should be used in variety so as not to make the piece sound trite by using predictable paragraph transitions. Use the following exercise to incorporate these paragraph-connecting methods into your writing.

Exercise: Stress in Our Contemporary World

Eating and exercise habits affect a person’s health. However, heredity

plays a part in determining a person’s longevity too. Some scientists believe stress affects a person’s health, and consequently, they are trying to determining why people are under more stress today than they were a generation ago. Furthermore, they are also trying to find a way to alleviate that stress. I feel that stress grows as civilization progresses, although other researchers do not embrace my view.

There are more people in the world today than there ever have been. This is one cause for the increasing level of stress. For instance, information moves

faster than it ever has, and there is also more of it. Civilization cannot progress without people and information.

The interaction of people and information will be important in the future. Studies show that we can be overloaded with information, and this makes people anxious, and even violent. Therefore, we should seek solutions to these problems.

A Possible Solution: Stress in Our Contemporary World

Eating and exercise habits affect a person’s health. However, heredity

plays a part in determining a person’s longevity too. Some scientists believe

stress affects a person’s health, and consequently, they are trying to determining

why people are under more stress today than they were a generation ago.

Furthermore, they are also trying to find a way to alleviate that stress. I feel that

stress grows as civilization progresses, although other researchers do not

embrace my view.

Yet, they cannot disagree that there are more people in the world today

than there ever have been. This is one cause for the increasing level of stress.

For instance, information moves faster than it ever has, and there is also more of

it. Why is this important to our progress?

How people and information interact will be important to our future

because this will determine the quality of our progress. For example, studies

show that we can be overloaded with information, and this makes people

anxious, and even violent. Therefore, we should seek solutions to these

problems.