Another way to make your writing clear is to include appropriate transitional words or phrases.
TRANSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES
nother way to make your writing clear is to include appropriate transitional words or phrases. These make it clear how the ideas in your writing are linked. For example, words like "but" and "however" tell your reader that you're moving from one idea to a contrasting one. Words like "therefore" indicate you're moving from an explanation into a conclusion. Transitional words can come at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
These are some examples that make use of transitional words:
"I know we're under a lot of stress, but we need to get this project completed as quickly as possible"
"We've received the new computers. However, we need to wait for management to distribute them."
and
"Gavin has broken his leg. Therefore, he won't be in the office for the next six weeks."
And transitional words can be used to indicate several types of connections:
The addition of one idea to another, showing the reader that you are adding more information to what you have already stated – for example:
"My computer is broken. Also, I can't write the report."
Examples of addition transitions are: also, and, another, besides, finally, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, next, then, too.
A concession about an initial idea, or showing compromise or allowance within text – for example, you write:
"My computer is broken. Of course I can't write the report."
Examples of concession transitions are: although, certainly, even though, granted, naturally, no doubt, of course, though.
A logical relationship, in which one idea leads to another or relates logically to another – for example:
"Because my computer is broken, I can't write the report."
Examples of transitions that create logical relationships are: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, except for, excluding, for example, for instance, for this reason, hence, if, to illustrate, in fact, in particular, indeed, namely, since, so, specifically, therefore, thus.
Place or direction – for example:
"My computer isn't working. On the desk next to mine, I found a computer I could use."
Examples of transitions that show place or direction are: above, adjacent, below, beyond, close, farther, here, in back of, in front of, in our state, in the distance, near, nearby, next to, opposite, there, to the left, to the right.
Any similarity or difference between elements within text – for example:
"My computer is broken. However, I can write the report."
Examples of transitions showing similarity or difference include: but, however, in comparison, in contrast, in the same manner, in the same way, like, likewise, nonetheless, on the contrary, on the one hand and on the other hand, similarly, still, and yet.
Time or sequence, connecting ideas and text by means of succession, progression, or time – so, you write:
"My computer is broken. Eventually, I can write the report."
Examples of transitions of time or sequence are: first, second, third, after, afterward, at last, at the same time, before, currently, during, eventually, finally, formerly, immediately, in the future, later, meanwhile, next, now, since, soon, subsequently, then, when, while.
Sometimes sentences don't make sense or are unclear because they need a transitional word or phrase. Using transitions effectively can help make your writing more clear.
The unclear sentences are:"Some of the work is delayed, and we are overbudget. Overall, we're doing well."
They are clarified with the use of a transition.
"Some of the work is delayed, and we are overbudget. However, overall, we're doing well."
Inserting the transitional word that conveys addition, as "in addition" does, will help make this sentences more clear.:
"Research shows that most older customers think the screen is too small. In addition, these customers don't want to wear a video player on their wrist."
The transitional phrase "even though" indicates concession.
"Jenna completed the HR course, even though she has decided to study marketing and advertising."
It emphasizes that although Jenna wants to study marketing and advertising, she still completed her HR course.
The transitional word "therefore" indicates a logical relationship. Here the project's failure results in the staff being retrenched.
"The project was not successful. Therefore, the project staff were laid off."
QUESTION
Consider this message about a new product:
"The combination of features will appeal to young customers. Older customers think the screen is too small. I have some concerns about the overall marketability of the device."
Which revisions of the sample text use transitional words to clarify meaning?
The first revision uses the transitional word "however" to clarify the contrast posed by the first and second sentences.
The use of the transitional word "furthermore" in the second revision does not work here because the first and second sentences have contrasting meanings. Using a word that indicates difference – like "however" or "but" would work here instead.
The third revision uses the transitional word "therefore" to indicate a conclusion, which is the aim of the last sentence here.
The transitional word "besides" in the fourth revision doesn't indicate a conclusion will follow but rather an addition. This doesn't apply here.
Remember the six techniques for writing clearly when you need to compose business documents or messages. Together, they can help ensure you get your message across to readers as simply and effectively as possible.
TECHNIQUES AND EXAMPLES
| Technique | Unclear sentence without principle applied | Clear sentence with principle applied |
|---|---|---|
| Use short, familiar words | Approval of employee sick leave extending consecutively over two or more days is subject to the employee's provision of mandatory and satisfactory supporting evidence from a general practitioner upon return to the workplace. | Employees must provide a doctor's certificate after taking sick leave of two or more consecutive days. |
| Favor concrete and specific language | The guide is informative and will be useful in several areas. | The guide to the new quality standards is informative and will be useful for our Manufacturing and Testing Departments. |
| Use words with appropriate connotations | Our products are cheap. | Our products are inexpensive. |
| Revise noun clusters | Our computer software development and testing strategy document is attached. | A document outlining our strategy for developing and testing computer software is attached. |
| Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly | The excited staff appeared extremely enthusiastic about the interesting conference this morning. | The staff was enthusiastic about the conference this morning. |
| Use transitional words and phrases | Brian has worked for this company for 27 years. He is retiring. | After working for this company for 27 years, Brian is retiring. |
The six techniques include using short, familiar words; concrete and specific language; words that have appropriate connotations; revising noun clusters; using adverbs and adjectives sparingly; and making use of transitional words and phrases.
I have been teaching and training agents, team leaders, supervisors, managers and admins of call centers and other businesses in BPO related fields. This series, comes as a result of that experience. I have more than 4,000 modules that I plan on sharing here. This is # 003-07
