Transitions Tips
The first sentence of a new paragraph is the most logical place to transition to a new topic or event. Let's say, for example, that I want to transition from my camel trek to my stay in the city of Algiers. I might handle it like this:
. . . All in all, the camel trek was a wonderful experience, and it gave me a new appreciation for the beauty of the Sahara. My stay in Algiers was also a lot of fun. Yesterday I explored the bazaar, and I walked around the main square. In the square there is a statue of Hassiba Boulmerka, the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal . . . |
Sometimes, the last sentence of a paragraph can be used to prepare your reader for a change of setting. Here is an example:
All in all, the camel trek was a wonderful experience. But I'll confess, after a week, I was sick of all that sand. As I lay in my tent on the final night, I was looking forward to spending some time in Algiers. Algiers is the capital city of Algeria, and it's bustling with crowds and buses. I started my stay in Algiers by taking a bus tour of the city. Our first stop was at the bazaar, where we had a chance to get off the bus and explore. I bought a few souvenirs, and I ate a wonderful lunch of lamb spiced with cardamom. |
In this next example, I use the statue of Boulmerka to lead the reader into a paragraph focused on sports.
. . . In the town square there is a statue of Hassiba Boulmerka, the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal. I'm sure she's a great inspiration to many Africans, especially young girls who aren't always encouraged to play sports. Looking at her statue, I thought about the important role that sports have played in my own life. I've always liked team sports the best. I think that team sports teach you . . . |
Instructions for the Quiz
Answer the questions.
Quiz