Transition Signals in Academic Writing, Video #1: Definition, Grammar, Problems

Transition signals are an essential part of good academic writing. This video gives a definition of transition signals, looks at their grammar, gives an overview of different types, lists some common problems students have and connects these to the IELTS and TOEFL exam, and finally shows how to use authentic texts to study transitions. ▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 00:00 Intro 01:13 Definition 04:04 Grammar of transition signals 07:58 Types of transition signals 10:03 Common problems (link to IELTS/TOEFL) 16:09 Transitions in authentic academic texts 23:07 Conclusion ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Video created using VideoScribe software [affiliate link]: https://tidd.ly/37VdIB7 Transition signals - also called linkers, linking devices, discourse connectors or cohesive devices –-are words or phrases used in writing or speaking to help the reader understand the links between ideas. Examples are ‘However’, ‘Moreover’, and ‘For example’. They are an important aspect of cohesion, and are especially common in academic writing. They can be categorised into three grammatical types: (1) sentence connectors, also called adverbials, which join two sentences together, e.g. ‘Similarly, ‘In contrast’; (2) clause connectors, also called conjunctions, which join two clauses, e.g. ‘while’, ‘so’; (3) other words/phrases which function as transitions, often followed by noun phrases, e.g. ‘despite’. There are many different functional types. Examples are Addition transitions (to give an additional idea), Comparison signals (to show how things are the same or similar), and Contrast transitions (to show how things are different). More detailed information on types of transition is given in the second video.