Transition Words
and Phrases
Sixth Grade ELA
Coherence in writing occurs
through sentence-to-sentence
connections, when transitions are
used to link ideas. Texts that are
coherent progress logically and
hold the reader's attention
throughout the piece. Coherent
writing is better writing!
Transitions and flow
 Transition
words and phrases are used
by writers to move from one subject to
the next.
 They
provide coherence to a story or
text.
 They
signal the reader about what is
coming next in the writing.
 They
can help writers bridge the
gap between ideas so that writing
sounds smooth, not choppy.
 They
organize our writing and
make it easier to read.

Transitions give our writing
flow.
For example:
(Also a transition, btw…)
Take these two sentences:
 Mr.
 He
Duncan likes to eat sushi.
does not want sushi today.
Using transition words, you can put these two
together to make one smooth sentence instead
of two choppy ones.
Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi.
He does not want sushi today.
Mr. Duncan likes to eat sushi; however,
he does not want sushi today.
This sentence sounds better and
is much easier to read!
Some transitions have specific
jobs in a sentence. They may help
show sequencing or time, show
location, continue an idea, clarify
or add information, compare and
contrast two or more things, or sum
up information to lead to a
conclusion.
Location transitions show where things are.
You may recognize some of these as
prepositions and prepositional phrases.
above
below
here
there
from
near
in the background
to the left/right
in the distance
under
where
down
in the middle
in front of
opposite to
Time transitions show order or when
something happens. Some examples:
first
finally
before
after that
afterwards
at first
then
meanwhile
in the meantime
before long
at last
as soon as
later
next
Time and location transitions
After so much time waiting in the long line, the boys finally
got their hamburgers.
The Van Gogh art exhibit was shown earlier this month in
Dallas.
Wait until tonight, then you will be able to see the full moon
over the city hall.
The show is not over until the actors take their final bows.
While Missy was driving to work, she saw a deer by the
roadside. She stopped to watch the deer for a short time, then
continued on her way to work.
Transitions that clarify, repeat,
show cause, assert truth, or
reinforce ideas:
Naturally Simone is going to love the idea of selling cupcakes
at school. In fact, she wants to be a baker when she grows up.
Midnight was not able to move around well because his hind
legs are in casts from when he suddenly fell off the bookshelf.
Not all birds eat berries. For example, hawks eat mice and
other small mammals.
Sally has lost one of the oars on her boat. To put it another
way, she is up the creek without a paddle!
Compare/Contrast transitions tell a
reader that the writer is comparing ideas
or shifting from one idea to another.
Instead of the word BUT to connect ideas,
try using one of these examples:
However
Rather
Yet
Nevertheless
Conversely
On the other hand
Otherwise (means the same as “or”)
Compare and contrast transitions
Although Marcos was extremely tired after school, he ran two
miles.
Willow prefers to read the book rather than seeing the movie.
I am not able to go the beach with you; nevertheless, thank
you so much for asking me.
The cat acts as if he is the boss of the house.
Like her grandmother, Sally loves the Texas Longhorns.
Insert transitions to combine
these sentences:
Ms. Cox likes to ride rollercoasters.
Mr. Duncan prefers spinning rides.
He is afraid of heights.
Mr. Duncan rides the Titan.
He screams like a little girl.
Transitions that sum up or
conclude information:
The smoke machine malfunctioned, and curtains wouldn't open
properly, and the lead actor was sick. In conclusion, the play
was a total disaster.
The committee discussed many problems at the meeting.
Finally, we were able to prioritize the issues that most needed
to be solved.
To conclude, I want to wish you all a very happy holiday!
Insert transitions to
combine these sentences:
Chris plays soccer in a select league.
He plays forward for his team.
He has a dream of going pro one day.
Chris practices four days a week.
He is on the debate team at school.
His afternoons are very busy.