Sabancı University Intermediate Fall 2007
TRANSITION SIGNALS
Giving Examples:
An example of brilliant scientist is Albert Einstein.
One of the best-known examples of environmental destruction in the world took place in
Chernobyl, Russian in 1986.
Another example of (Additional example of) a brilliant scientist is Carl Sagan.
To illustrate,
For example, for instance
Take, for example, the earthquake which hit the coastal town of İzmit in 1999. It claimed
approximately thirty thousand lives.
Earthquakes have devastating effects on people’s lives. For example, the Izmit earthquake in
1999 claimed approximately thirty thousand lives.
Such as
Some species such as tigers and whales are in danger of extinction because of hunting.
Especially, Specifically
Teenagers are very fashion conscious, especially girls.
Some of the marine mammals, specifically whales, are in danger of extinction.
Transitional Signals that List Additional Ideas:
First, Also,
First of all, Furthermore
To begin with, Moreover
Second, In addition
Next, Besides
Then One reason
Last Another reason
Finally The most important reason
This tornado destroyed entire bock of homes ad damaged many houses and other places of
business. In addition, the tornado caused the death of over twenty people.
Moreover,
Furthermore, the tornado caused the death of over twenty people.
Also,
WRITING 1
Sabancı University Intermediate Fall 2007
Sample Paragraphs: Underline the transitions in the following paragraph.
English is one of the world’s 6,800 languages, but it is rapidly becoming a truly
international language. First of all, English is the native language of over 400 million people
scattered across every continent. In fact, English is used in some way by one out of seven
human beings around the globe, making it the most widely spoken language in history.
Approximately 50 percent of the world’s books are published in English. In addition, three-
quarters of all mail, faxes, and electronic messages are written in English. English is also the
main language of science, technology, and international business. More than half of all
scientific and technical journals are written in English, and over 80 percent of the information
stored in computers around the world is in English. Over half of all business deals in Europe
are conducted in English. Finally, English is the language of both the Olympics and the Miss
Universe contest. English is the language of over 60 percent of the world’s radio and TV
programs. More than ever before, English is now the most widely used and studied language
of the world.
(Ready to Write, K.Blanchard and C. Root, Longman, 2003, p.37)
What are the Intelligence Types?
There are several kinds of intelligence. First, (First of all,) there is mathematical-
logical intelligence. People with this kind of intelligence become mathematicians, scientists,
or engineers. Second, there is linguistic intelligence. People with this intelligence are good at
language, so they become poets and writers. There are also spatial and musical kinds of
intelligence. Spatial intelligence is necessary for architects and artists, and musical
intelligence is necessary for musicians. In addition, there is bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
The last two kinds of intelligence are interpersonal and intrapersonal. People with these tow
kinds of intelligence manage people well, so they become leaders of society. In short, there is
more than one way to be smart.
Cause and Effect Structure Words:
There are several causes of forest fires.
reasons for
There are three main reasons why space exploration is important for mankind.
four
several
Divorce has several (many / a few) important effects on my life.
CAUSES EFFECT
Drug use and unemployment cause crime
produce
bring about
result in
Drug use and inflation occur, producing crime
bringing about
causing
WRITING 2
Sabancı University Intermediate Fall 2007
EFFECT CAUSES
Crime is produced by drug use.
is caused by
results from
is brought about by
Crime occurs mainly as a result of drug use
because of
due to
Because
Because there was a terrible storm last night, the bridge was closed for several hours.
The bridge was closed for several hours because there was a terrible storm last night.
Since (As)
Since there was a terrible storm last night, the bridge was closed for several hours.
As
Because of
Because of the storm, the bridge was closed for several hours last night.
Due to
Due to the storm, the bridge was closed for several hours last night.
Consequently
There was a terrible storm last night. Consequently, the bridge was closed for several hours.
Therefore (Thus)
There was a terrible storm last night; therefore, the bridge was closed for several hours.
;thus,
For this reason
There was a terrible storm last night. For this reason, the bridge was closed for several hours.
As a consequence of (As a result of)
As a consequence of the storm, the bridge was closed for several hours.
As a result of
The Language of Comparison and Contrast
Contrast
But
The Sahara Desert has a dry climate, but the Amazon rain forest has a wet climate.
However
The Sahara Desert has a dry climate. However, the Amazon rain forest has a wet climate.
WRITING 3
Sabancı University Intermediate Fall 2007
The Sahara Desert has a dry climate; in contrast , the amazon rain forest has a wet climate.
conversely,
on the other hand,
however,
on the contrary,
The Sahara Desert has a dry climate. In contrast , the Amazon rain forest has a wet climate.
Conversely,
On the other hand,
However,
On the contrary,
Kuwait is different from Egypt in regard to oil supply.
unlike
Different from Egypt, Kuwait has large oil supplies of oil.
Unlike Egypty, Kuwait has large oil supplies of oil.
While the Sahara Desert is dry, the Amazon rain forest has a wet climate.
Whereas the Sahara Desert is dry, the Amazon rain forest has a wet climate.
Although the Sahara Desert has a dry climate, some crops can be grown there.
Even though the Sahara Desert has a dry climate, some crops can be grown there.
Similarity
and … too
Tokyo has an efficient subway system, and London does too.
as ….as
Tokyo’s subway system is as efficient as London’s.
likewise (similarly)
Tokyo has an efficient subway system. Likewise, London has an efficient subway system.
Similarly,
alike
New York and Tokyo are alike in several ways.
WRITING 4
Sabancı University Intermediate Fall 2007
both…. and ….
Both Japan and Korea are in Asia.
like
The weather in Istanbul is like the weather in New York.
similar to
The population of Istanbul is similar to the population of Tokyo.
the same
Philadelphia has the same kind of weather as Istanbul.
the same as
The altitude of Calcutta is the same as the altitude of Copenhagen.
Sentence structures
There are several differences between high school and college.
similarities
Turkish food and Greek food are similar in many ways.
different
Japanese food is different from Turkish food in many ways.
similar to
A comparison between jazz and rock ‘n’ roll reveals some surprising similarities.
shows
demonstrates
WRITING 5