Keywords
teaching transitions, writing practice, transition writing, transition sentences
Submission Type
Research
Preview
Transitions can be a challenge for writers at any stage. For example, I once explained to an eighth grade class my observations on a sample piece of writing. I praised their strengths, and then explained a consistent problem throughout the classes: the use of “in conclusion” for their restatement of their main claim. I teased them with no shame, and they giggled and admitted to classmates that it was the only option that came into their minds. One brilliant student then shouted out, “What if we wrote the worst argument main claim ever, starting with ‘In conclusion?’” So, we wrote the worst restatement of an argument main claim: “In conclusion, I believe the best option is whatever you like most.” It was an instant success. They started repeating it as a running class joke and writing it on empty boards in computer labs. Some concerned colleagues let me know what they found, and I assured them it was an example of the worst possible option. That seemed to allay their fears about the young, inexperienced English teacher.
Recommended Citation
Banks, Amy
(2016)
"An Introduction to Teaching Transitions,"
The Utah English Journal: Vol. 44, Article 8.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/uej/vol44/iss1/8