Practice Timed Essays

TRANSITIONS

During the pressure of a timed essay, it is easy to forget to use transition words and expressions. However, these words are important because they tie ideas together and connect one sentence to the next, or one paragraph to the next. Transitions guide your reader logically through your essay. These words are often quite easy to add to an essay and can greatly improve their quality.

Add FANBOYS: for, and, not, but, or, yet, so

Add other transitions: because, for example, for instance, however, therefore.

Practice 13. Connect ideas in the sentences below by adding transitions. Neatly make any necessary changes to the sentences and show where to add the transitions. The first one is done for you.

 And- Because- For example- However- Or- So

1. Usually volcano eruptions follow several earthquakes. However, last month, one eruption occurred after a period with minimal earthquake activity.

2. Usually volcano eruptions follow several earthquakes. For example, in the 24-hour period before the eruption in May, nine earthquakes were recorded.

3. At many U.S. universities, female students dramatically outnumber males. So, college administrations are considering how to attract more male students.

4. Many students have to decide whether to go to college full-time and take out a student loan, or they could go to college part-time and get a job.

5. Dancers develop a sense of balance and they develop a sense of grace.

6. Two of the boys speak Finnish, because they study at a Finnish school on the weekends.