UVW 312: ENGLISH FOR

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
WEEK 7

Instructor:
FATEN KHALIDA BINTI KHALID

Centre for International Languages (CIL)

Semester 2, 2019/2020.
 GRAMMAR
(Transitional Words)

Centre for International Languages (CIL)

(Semester 2, 2019/2020)
 Transitional Words
• The connecting words within and between
paragraphs are known as transitional words.
• They may be single words or phrases.
• Transitional words can be considered the
GLUE that connects two related ideas (show
time, compare and contrast, demonstrate
cause and effect, show sequence, to conclude,
etc.)
• Relationship WITHIN a sentence.

e.g.:
I would like to see you tomorrow, so, let’s
have lunch together.

• Relationship BETWEEN sentences.

e.g.:
I’m addicted to watching American Idol. As well, I
like to envision what song I’d sing as contestant.
 COHERENCE
Characteristic of a good writing = COHERENT
COHERENT = ?

A paragraph is coherent if:

1. the sentences hold together.
2. the movement from one sentence to the next is
smooth and logical.
 COHERENCE
An essay is coherent if:
1. the paragraphs of the essay are interconnected or
unified.
2. the flow of discussion seems logical to the reader.

Cohesive devices are known as:

• Linking words
• Signal words
• Response token
• Discourse markers
• Transitional words.
 COHERENCE
EXAMPLE:
Americans love their pets, so they do many
things for them. First of all, they treat their
pets like human beings.

• The word ‘so’ tells you the results (or effect)

of the first clause or sentence.
• ‘First of all’ tells you that this is the first
example that the writer is going to give of the
many things Americans do for their pets.
 Placement of transitional words.
• Usually placed at the start of sentences;
however, they may also appear in the middle
or end of the sentences.
• They are always separated from the rest of
the sentences by commas (,).
• You DO NOT need to use transitional words in
every sentence in a paragraph; however, good
use of transitional words will help to make the
relationship between the ideas in your writing
clear and logical.
 FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL
WORDS
1. Joins similar China is a big , and it has a large
ideas country ; in addition, population.
; moreover,
; furthermore,
; besides,

2. Joins We could have , or we could eat

alternative dinner at at Sam’s
ideas home Cafe
 FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL
WORDS
3. Give reason He was because he did not do
or cause punished since his
homework.
FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL
WORDS
1) He is his brother is
4. Show hardworking , but lazy.
contrast or ; however,
contradict 2) His words are ,yet I believe he is
ideas harsh ; nevertheless a good man.
FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL
WORDS
Although it was raining they played
Even though tennis outdoors.
Though
she is rich, she is not proud.

4. Show TRANSITIONAL
WORDS
contrast
They played tennis although it was raining.
or outdoors even though
contradict though
ideas
They went out despite the rain
in spite of the bad weather
 FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL
WORDS

Male students ; similarly, female students

must wear a ; likewise, must wear a baju
long sleeved kurung or a dress,
shirt and a tie not trousers.

5. Make She looked as though she had seen a

comparisons as if ghost.

He is as (mean) as his brother.

FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL
WORDS

; as a result,
; consequently,
It rained all day ; therefore, they had to
yesterday , thus postpone the
6. Show ; that is why, football match.
effect or , so

result He was so (fat) that he had to use a

wheel chair to get
around the
house.
FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL EXAMPLES
WORDS
After After the students went home, they
7. Show fumigated the school.
time or As soon as As soon as the man had regained
sequence consciousness, he was given some water to
drink.
As long as You can stay here as long as you like.

Before Wash your feet before you go to bed.

While He came while you were out.

Since I have not seen him since I moved to

Singapore.
Until Do not go until you see the green light.

First/Then First, you beat the egg. Then, you add some
sugar.
 FUNCTION TRANSITIONAL EXAMPLE
WORDS

8. Make a In conclusion, The classroom has no fans.

conclusion or To conclude, There is only one window and
summarization To sum up, one door. It is also very hot
and stuffy in the afternoon.
The situation becomes worse
when too many students have
to share the small classroom.
To sum up, the classroom is
not a comfortable place.
 Punctuation Rules!
1. Coordinating Conjunctions (and, yet, but, or, so):
a) Put a comma before these conjunctions. Don’t
use them at the beginning of the sentence for
formal writing.
E.g.:
The movie has started, but my friend has not
arrived yet.
2. Correlative Conjunctions (either…or/ not
only…but also)
a) Put a comma before the second part if it
connects 2 clauses (complete sentences)
E.g.:
Eric is not only an outstanding teacher, but he is also a
gourmet cook.
b) You don’t need a comma if it only connect words
or phrases.
E.g.:
Eric is not only an outstanding teacher but also a gourmet
cook.
3. Transitional Words and Phrases
a) Put a comma after these if they are at the
beginning of a sentence.
I like to travel. Specifically, I enjoy places with old
cathedrals.
b) Use a semicolon to connect the two sentences.
I like to travel; specifically, I enjoy places with old
cathedrals.
c) Use a comma before and after the transitional
words/phrase in the middle of a clause.
I like to travel, specifically, I enjoy places
with old cathedrals.