Question

Type 1: Same word. “Bertie crunched into the Nutter Butter. The Nutter Butter shot bursts of flavor deep into every taste bud in his mouth.”
Type 2: Same thing, different words. “Bertie crunched into the Nutter Butter. The nugget of peanut buttery goodness shot bursts of flavor deep into every taste bud in his mouth.”
Type 3: Pronouns. “Bertie crunched into the Nutter Butter. It shot bursts of flavor deep into every taste bud in his mouth.”
Type 4: Conventional. “Bertie crunched into the Nutter Butter. However, it had passed its expiration date.
Some key words (intensifiers): this, that, these, those, such
When using the term “transition,” we are usually referring to linkages that cross sentence boundaries. Transitions usually have antecedents that appear before the previous period.
In the first example, the second “Nutter Butter” is the transition, referring back to its antecedent, the first “Nutter Butter.”
In the second example, the words “nugget of peanut buttery goodness” are the transition, referring back to its antecedent, the words “Nutter Butter.”
In the third example, the pronoun “It” is the transition, referring back to its antecedent, the words “Nutter Butter.”
In the fourth example, the word “however” is the transition, referring back the idea (something larger than a word or two) that came before.
Most conjunctions can serve as type four transitions. Note also that most (but not all) transitions occur near the beginning of the sentence they occur in.
Terminology
“To cohere” is “to stick together.” Therefore, when the sentences that compose a piece of writing logically “stick” to one another, that writing has the quality known as “coherence.”
The actual devices that make sentences stick together and that provide coherence are known as “transitions.”
Some Examples
1. transition type 1: Repeat the same word(s). Example: The Griswolds decide to visit Walley World on their vacation. Walley World bills itself as the perfect family destination.
2. transition type 2: Restate the original word(s) in another way. Example: The Griswolds decide to visit Walley World on their vacation. A collection of thrill rides and arcades would make a perfect family destination.
3. transition type 3: Use pronouns. Example: The Griswolds decide to visit Walley World on their vacation. It seems like the best place to go, though the location is in faraway Los Angeles.
4. transition type 4: Use conventional transitions. Example: The Griswolds decide to visit Walley World on their vacation. However, the park is situated in faraway Los Angeles. (Note that transitions of this type do not link the second sentence to a specific word in the first sentence; instead, these transitions usually link the idea of the second sentence to the idea of the first sentence.) Here is a partial list: besides, consequently, even so, finally, first, for example, for instance, furthermore, however, instead, later, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, now, otherwise, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus, for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
ASSIGNMENT
For each of the following sentences, copy the first sentence and write a second sentence that would logically follow the sentence you are given. Use the transition type given in parentheses. Underline each of your transitions.
• Remember that transitions refer back to what was previously stated. So with a type 1 transition, the transition is not the first occurrence of the word, but the second.
• For type one and type two transitions, use the transition to begin the second sentence. By doing so, you provide your reader with a solid bridge from one sentence to the next.
The first answer for each transition type is given to you. Note that many other correct answers are also possible.
(type 1) At last, Alvin found his lost pet. The pet was hiding behind a bush in the backyard.
(type 1) Every day, Alice would water her begonias.
(type 1) Norwood showed Alice how to perform the YMCA.

(type 2) At last, Alvin found his lost pet. His German shepherd had escaped through a door that had been left open.
(type 2) Every day, Alice would water her daisies.
(type 2) Norwood showed Alice how to perform the YMCA.

(type 3) Adolescents are naturally impulsive. They often act before thinking.
(type 3) Novice physicians, as we have seen, take a different approach.
(type 3) The brain fools us into making poor food choices.

(type 4) From the time we wake up till the time we go to sleep, we are surrounded by advertising. Consequently, we often buy more than what we really need.
(type 4) Enos had a total of five dollars, so he bought a five-dollar wallet.
(type 4) People react to symptoms of illness in remarkably different ways.

Answer 1

(type 1) At last, Alvin found his lost pet. _The pet_ was hiding behind a bush in the backyard.

(type 1) Every day, Alice would water her begonias. _Her begonias_ rewarded her with glossy leaves all summer.

(type 1) Norwood showed Alice how to perform the YMCA. _The YMCA_ routine looked complicated at first but got easier with practice.

(type 2) At last, Alvin found his lost pet. _His German shepherd_ had escaped through a door that had been left open.

(type 2) Every day, Alice would water her daisies. _Those cheery little blossoms_ brightened the garden path each morning.

(type 2) Norwood showed Alice how to perform the YMCA. _That sequence of letter-shaped arm movements_ drew laughs from everyone nearby.

(type 3) Adolescents are naturally impulsive. _They_ often act before thinking.

(type 3) Novice physicians, as we have seen, take a different approach. _They_ rely more on tests and protocols while building clinical judgment.

(type 3) The brain fools us into making poor food choices. _It_ prioritizes immediate reward over long-term well-being.

(type 4) From the time we wake up till the time we go to sleep, we are surrounded by advertising. _Consequently_, we often buy more than what we really need.

(type 4) Enos had a total of five dollars, so he bought a five-dollar wallet. _Therefore_, he had no money left to buy anything else.

(type 4) People react to symptoms of illness in remarkably different ways. _For example_, some call a doctor at the first sign while others wait it out at home.