Transitions are words or phrases that are used to help create a logical flow that will allow your audience to follow your train of thought throughout your writing. One should use transitions in a variety of cases, such as linking together different ideas or paragraphs (via topic sentences).

Causation–Connecting instigator(s) to consequence(s). 

accordingly, as a result, and so. because, consequently, for that reason, hence, on account of, since, therefore, thus

Chronology–Connecting what issues in regard to when they occur.

after, afterwards, always, at length, during, earlier, following, immediately, in the meantime, later, never, next, now, once, simultaneously, so far, sometimes, soon, subsequently, then, this time, until now, when, whenever, while

Combinations 

• Lists–Connecting numerous events.

• Part/Whole–Connecting numerous elements that makeup something bigger.

additionally, again, also, and/or/not, as a result, besides, even more, finally, first/firstly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, in the second place, last/lastly, moreover, next, second/secondly/etc., too

Contrast–Connecting two things by focusing on their differences.

after all, although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, however, in contrast, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, though, yet

Example–Connecting a general idea to a particular instance of this idea.

as an illustration, e.g., (from a Latin abbreviation for “for example”), for example, for instance, specifically, that is, to demonstrate, to illustrate

Importance–Connecting what is critical to what is more inconsequential.

chiefly, critically, foundationally, most importantly, of less importance, primarily

Location–Connecting elements according to where they are placed in relationship to each other.

above, adjacent to, below, beyond, centrally, here, nearby, neighboring on, opposite to, peripherally, there, wherever

Similarity–Connecting to things by suggesting that they are in some way alike.

by the same token, in like manner, in similar fashion, here, in the same way, likewise, wherever

Transitioning Between Paragraphs

Paragraphs are bodies of text that focus on different, specified ideas or themes.  

Good transitions enable the writer to connect their distinct ideas and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole. Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help readers understand how paragraphs work together, reference one another, and build to a larger point. The key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs. By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from previous paragraphs, writers can develop important points for their readers.

Added by Mel 03/24/21

Rule 1. Capitalize the first word of a document and the first word after a period.

Rule 2. Capitalize proper nouns—and adjectives derived from proper nouns.

Examples:

the Golden Gate Bridge

the Grand Canyon

a Russian song

a Shakespearean sonnet

a Freudian slip

Rule 3. A thorny aspect of capitalization: where does it stop? When does the Iraq war become the Iraq War? Why is the legendary Hope Diamond not the Hope diamond? Everyone writes New York City, so why does the Associated Press Stylebook recommend New York state? There aren't always easy formulas or logical explanations.

In the case of brand names, companies are of little help, because they capitalize any word that applies to their merchandise. Domino's Pizza or Domino's pizza? Is it Ivory Soap or Ivory soap, a Hilton Hotel or a Hilton hotel? Most writers don't capitalize common nouns that simply describe the products (pizza, soap, hotel), but it's not always easy to determine where a brand name ends. There is Time magazine but also the New York Times Magazine. No one would argue with Coca-Cola or Pepsi Cola, but a case could be made for Royal Crown cola.

Rule 4. Capitalize titles when they are used before names, unless the title is followed by a comma. Do not capitalize the title if it is used after a name or instead of a name.

Examples:

The president will address Congress.

Chairman of the Board William Bly will preside at the conference.

The chairman of the board, William Bly, will preside.

The senators from Iowa and Ohio are expected to attend.

Progress From Old to New Information

Introduce your readers to the "big picture" first by giving them information they already know. Then they can link what's familiar to the new information you give them. As that new information becomes familiar, it too becomes old information that can link to newer information (Purdue Owl).

Employ the Active Voice

Sentences in active voice are usually easier to understand than those in passive voice because active-voice constructions indicate clearly the performer of the action expressed in the verb. In addition, changing from passive voice to active often results in a more concise sentence. So use active voice unless you have good reason to use the passive. For example, the passive is useful when you don't want to call attention to the doer; when the doer is obvious, unimportant, or unknown; or when passive voice is the conventional style among your readers (Purdue Owl).

Examples:

• Active Voice:

  • • The man cast a vote in the election.

• Passive Voice:

  • • A vote was cast by the man in the election.

Concision

When writing concisely, the author selects the most effective wording in order to reduce the length of sentences. One always wants to use the fewest number of words in order to convey the same idea. 

All writers should continuously think about how to properly address their arguments and audience while creating their narratives. It is necessary to keep these aspects in mind:

1. Every paragraph in your essay must have a purpose. When revising, critically examine each paragraph and ask yourself whether it is necessary to your overall thesis. 

2. Not all types of writing are thesis-driven, but all writing has an intended audience. When writing, you should always have your readers in mind and consider what they need to know.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison provided some helpful tips that may be easily applied in your writing:

Use the active voice

Put the action in the verb

Put wordy phrases on a diet

Reduce wordy verbs

Reduce prepositional phrases

Reduce expletive constructions

Avoid using vague nouns

Avoid unnecessarily inflated words

Avoid noun strings

Sentence fragments is another term used to describe incomplete sentences. Purdue Owl, describes that fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. One of the easiest ways to correct them is to remove the period between the fragment and the main clause. Other kinds of punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence. 

Some examples of fragments versus complete sentences are as follows:

• Fragment: Fresno State offers many majors in STEM. Such as biology, physics, and chemistry. 

• Complete Sentence: Fresno State offers many majors in STEM, such as biology, physics, and chemistry.

• Fragment: I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now is very messy. 

• Complete Sentence: I need to find a new roommate because the one I have now is very messy.

George Mason University's Writing Center helps to articulate that parallel structure means that coordinate parts of a sentence, such as items in a series or list, have the same grammatical form. Items in a series must be all nouns, all verbs, or all participles, and so on. There are two reasons it is important to maintain parallelism in a series:

• 1. Sentences that maintain parallelism are much easier to read and process than those that do not.

• 2. Maintaining parallelism helps writers avoid grammatically incorrect sentences. 

Examples:

• Not Parallel: The best places to eat are casual, fun, and you can get a meal for cheap.

• Parallel: The best places to eat are casual, fun, and inexpensive. 

• Not Parallel: Tomorrow, I want to be shopping and eat lunch with Sarah.

• Parallel: Tomorrow, I want to shop and eat lunch with Sarah. 

Gerunds

The Purdue Writing Lab states that Gerunds are verbals ending in -ing and function as nouns. "The term verbal indicates that a gerund, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, since a gerund functions as a noun, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for example: subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition." A gerund phrase is "a group of words consisting of a gerund and the modifier(s) and/or (pro)noun(s) or noun phrase(s) that function as the direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state expressed in the gerund."

Gerund Example:

• We do not appreciate the professor's ranting. (The gerund is ranting)

• We do not appreciate the professor's style. (The gerund has been removed)

Gerund Phrase Example:

• I expect that you appreciate my delivering you this message.

my (possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund)

delivering (gerund)

you (indirect object of action expressed in gerund)

this message (direct object of action expressed in gerund)

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1. A gerund is a verbal ending in -ing that is used as a noun.

2. A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s).

3. Gerunds virtually never require punctuation.

Participles

A participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective and most often ends in -ing or -ed. The term verbal indicates that a participle, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, since they function as adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns. There are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. Present participles end in -ing. Past participles end in -ed, -en, -d, -t, -n, or -ne as in the words asked, eaten, saved, dealt, seen, and gone (Purdue Online Writing Lab). 

Examples:

• The crying baby had a wet diaper.

• Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car.

Infinitives

Purdue Online Writing Center defines an infinitive as a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb (in its simplest "stem" form) and functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb. The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, the infinitive may function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.

Examples: 

• To wait seemed smart when a thoughtful plan of action was necessary. (subject)

• All of the students wanted to leave. (direct object)

Split Infinitives

This error occurs when additional words are placed between to and the verb in an infinitive. Many readers find a single adverb splitting the infinitive to be acceptable, but this practice should be avoided in all formal writing.

Examples:

• I like to on a sunny day walk in the city. * (unacceptable)

• On a sunny day, I like to walk in the city. (revised)

• I needed to hastily gather my personal belongings. (acceptable in informal contexts)

• I needed to gather my personal belongings hastily. (revised for formal contexts)

Important Points:

1. An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it may be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

2. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s), object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s).

3. An infinitive phrase requires a comma only if it is used as an adverb at the beginning of a sentence.