Writing - Transitions

One of the most important tools for creating good flow in writing is the transition. Transitions are the bridges that allow a reader to move from one idea to the next without getting lost in the language. In this writing lesson, we'll look specifically at transitions to join similar, supporting ideas.
I'll teach you how to use 'in addition', 'furthermore', 'moreover', 'another', and more. Take a quiz on this lesson here:

1. Transitions connect two ideas by showing a relationship between them.

true;       false

2. 'Moreover' and 'furthermore' are transitions used to add one related idea to another.
true;          false

3. Social networks are great for business because they allow you to connect to many people. Furthermore, Facebook has a lot of fun games. 

In this example, is 'furthermore' used correctly?

Yes;          no

4. When you are not sure how to transition to a new idea in a new paragraph, you can usually do it safely using '__________', and the last general idea from the previous paragraph.
 therefore;         another;        furthermore;       moreover

5. Social networks are great for business because they allow you to connect to many people. Furthermore, Facebook has a lot of fun games.

What is wrong with this example?
Facebook's games are actually boring.

It should use 'moreover' instead.

The two ideas in these sentences are not related.

Many businesses don't allow the people who work there to use social networks.

6. Many students choose to study abroad because of the life-lessons that travel provides. This way they not only improve their academic skills, but their personal and cultural skills as well.

Furthermore,...
The rest of this paragraph should discuss:
 another reason studying overseas is beneficial.

the difficulties of studying overseas.

the great food that you can try when you travel.

the things they can learn in their home countries.

7. It is very important that there are two ideas linked by 'in addition (to)', 'moreover', and 'furthermore', and that they be similar in topic.

True;                 false

8. 'Moreover' and 'furthermore' can be split up. For example, 'more over' and 'further more'.

True;                 false

9. Climate change is a problem that affects all nations. We must all take responsibility and make adjustments to our lifestyles, such as driving smaller cars, wasting less food, and recycling everything we can. Furthermore, we must educate our children about the dangers of climate change so that they can help find solutions in the future.

The next paragraph discusses ways in which climate change negatively affects individuals and businesses. The above paragraph uses 'furthermore' already. Is it correct to begin the next paragraph with 'furthermore'?

Yes, and it is recommended.

Yes, but it is not recommended because it is stylistically not attractive.

No, it's grammatically wrong.

No, but no one will notice, so it is okay to do it.

10. __________ way in which the film differs from the novel is the addition of Steve Buscemi's character.

 Moreover;          Furthermore;           Further;           Another         In addition

Answers:  Test your understanding of this English lesson

1. Transitions connect two ideas by showing a relationship between them.

·         true

·         false

2. 'Moreover' and 'furthermore' are transitions used to add one related idea to another.    

·         true

·         false

3. Social networks are great for business because they allow you to connect to many people. Furthermore, Facebook has a lot of fun games.
In this example, is 'furthermore' used correctly?

·         yes

·         no

4. Social networks are great for business because they allow you to connect to many people. Furthermore, Facebook has a lot of fun games.
What is wrong with this example?

·         Facebook's games are actually boring.

·         It should use 'moreover' instead.

·         The two ideas in these sentences are not related.

·         Many businesses don't allow the people who work there to use social networks.

5. When you are not sure how to transition to a new idea in a new paragraph, you can usually do it safely using '__________', and the last general idea from the previous paragraph.

·         therefore

·         another

·         furthermore

·         moreover

6.Many students choose to study abroad because of the life-lessons that travel provides. This way they not only improve their academic skills, but their personal and cultural skills as well.

Furthermore,...
The rest of this paragraph should discuss:

·         another reason studying overseas is beneficial.

·         the difficulties of studying overseas.

·         the great food that you can try when you travel.

·         the things they can learn in their home countries.

7. It is very important that there are two ideas linked by 'in addition (to)', 'moreover', and 'furthermore', and that they be similar in topic.

·         true

·         false

8. 'Moreover' and 'furthermore' can be split up. For example, 'more over' and 'further more'.

·         true

·         false

9. Climate change is a problem that affects all nations. We must all take responsibility and make adjustments to our lifestyles, such as driving smaller cars, wasting less food, and recycling everything we can. Furthermore, we must educate our children about the dangers of climate change so that they can help find solutions in the future.

The next paragraph discusses ways in which climate change negatively affects individuals and businesses. The above paragraph uses 'furthermore' already. Is it correct to begin the next paragraph with 'furthermore'?

·         Yes, and it is recommended.

·         Yes, but it is not recommended because it is stylistically not attractive.

·         No, it's grammatically wrong.

·         No, but no one will notice, so it is okay to do it.

10. __________ way in which the film differs from the novel is the addition of Steve Buscemi's character.

·         Moreover

·         Furthermore

·         Further

·         Another

·         In addition