ENGLISH 8 – Grade 8

Quarter 2 – Module 1: TRANSITION SIGNALS

I.
INTRODUCTION

Transition signals is one of the best ways in achieving a good cohesion and
coherence in writing a paragraph or an essay. In this module, you will be able to
master your skills in writing a comprehensive paragraph and the different types of
transition signals. Let’s start!

II.
OBJECTIVES

In this module, you are expected to:

 Identify transition signals that indicate coherence
 Classify the types of transition signals.
 Construct an autobiography and use transition signals.
 IV.
PRE - TEST

Directions: Read and analyze the statements carefully. Fill in the appropriate transition
signal in each sentences. Choose and write the letter of the correct
answer on the space provided below.

______1. If you’re having company for dinner, try to get as much done in advance as
possible. __________, set the table the day before.
A. For instance B. In contrast C. Similarly
______2. __________ I’m very allergic to flowers, my boyfriend bought a bouquet of
roses.
A. Until B. Because C. Even though
______3. My grandfather loves to say, “You’re as nervous __________ a long-tailed cat
in a roomful of rocking chairs.”
A. after B. as C. as a result
______4. __________ the invention of television, people probably spent more of their
leisure time reading.
A. Nevertheless B. Because C. Before
______5. __________ Jasper’s car stereo was on full blast, I could see his lips moving, but
I had no idea what he was saying.
A. Moreover B. Because C. Just as

V.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES

TAKE NOTE!

Cohesive devices
It is a words or phrases that connect the ideas in
your sentences or paragraph.
Transition signals
Are linking words or phrases that connect your
ideas and add cohesion to your writing.

Transition words are used as cohesive devices

that can help you connect the ideas in your sentences
and paragraphs.
 Directions: Read and analyze the short story below. As you read, look for the transition
words and encircle it.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

In a village, lived a carefree boy with his father. The boy’s father told him that he was
old enough to watch over the sheep while they graze in the fields. Every day, he had to
take the sheep to the grassy fields and watch them as they graze. However, the boy was
unhappy and didn’t want to take the sheep to the fields. He wanted to run and play, not
watch the boring sheep graze in the field. So, he decided to have some fun. He cried,
“Wolf! Wolf!” until the entire village came running with stones to chase away the wolf
before it could eat any of the sheep. When the villagers saw that there was no wolf, they
left muttering under their breath about how the boy had wasted their time. The next day,
the boy cried once more, “Wolf! Wolf!” and, again, the villagers rushed there to chase the
wolf away.

The boy laughed at the fright he had caused. This time, the villagers left angrily. The
third day, as the boy went up the small hill, he suddenly saw a wolf attacking his sheep. He
cried as hard as he could, “Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!”, but not a single villager came to help him.
The villagers thought that he was trying to fool them again and did not come to rescue him
or his sheep. The little boy lost many sheep that day, all because of his foolishness.

Well done! What have you observe after finishing the task?
Do you find the activity easy or not? Why? On the next part
of this module, we are going to deepen your
understanding about the transition signals and the usage
of it in a sentence or a paragraph. Come on! Let’s find out!
What is transition signals?

Transition Signals along with repeated words and reference words, are one of
the main ways to achieve good cohesion and coherence in your writing. They are
therefore a way to help ensure that your ideas and sentences cohere or 'stick
together'. Transition signals are used to signal relationships between ideas in your
writing. For example, the transition signal 'for example' is used to give examples, while
the word 'while' is used to show a contrast. In addition, there are phrases like 'in
addition' for adding new ideas. Likewise there are words such as 'likewise' to connect
similar ideas.

Transition signals can be divided into three types:

 sentence connectors
 clause connectors
 other connectors

SENTENCE CONNNECTORS
Sentence connectors are used to connect two sentences together. They are
joined by a full-stop (period) or semi-colon, and are followed by a comma. The
following are examples of sentence connectors.
 Transition signals are very useful. However, they should not be used to begin
every sentence.
 Transition signals are very useful; however, they should not be used to begin
every sentence.
 Contrast signals are one type of transition signals. In addition, there are others
such as compare signals and addition signals.
 There are three main ways to improve cohesion in your writing. First, you can
use transition signals.

CLAUSE CONNECTORS
Clause connectors are used to connect two clauses together to form one
sentence. They are joined by a comma. The following are examples of clause
connectors.
 Transition signals are very useful, but they should not be used to begin every
sentence.
  Although transition signals are very useful, they should not be used to begin
every sentence.
 Contrast signals are one type of transition signal, and there are others such as
compare signals and addition signals.
OTHER CONNECTORS
Other connectors follows different grammar patterns. Many are followed by
noun phrases. Some are verbs and should therefore be used as verbs in a sentence.
The following are examples of other connectors.
 Despite their importance in achieving cohesion, transition signals should not
be used to begin every sentence.
 Good cohesion is the result of using repeated words, reference words, and
transition signals.
 It is clear that careful use of transition signals will improve the cohesion in your
writing.
 Contrast signals are one type of transition signal. Another type is comparison
signals.

There are different types of transition signals that has different function and
situation. Let’s find out!

TRANSITIONS THAT SHOWS TIME AND SEQUENCE

Always Before (that time) Since (then)
After (a while) Finally So far
Afterward In the end Then
As soon as Meanwhile Up to (them)
At first Next Later
At last Immediately Somewhat earlier
At (the same time) Quickly Shortly
While Firstly, secondly… Over the next (2 days)
First, second, third.... In the future As long as
Thereafter Subsequently Last
Concurrently At the time Later
Soon

Example: The drama had an old-fashioned theme, but at the same time combined
modern production techniques.

Ashley is dancing meanwhile, her sister took a photo of her.

 TRANSITION THAT SHOWS PLACE AND POSITION
Above Inside Below
On top Outside Behind
Beyond Adjacent In front
In the back Here There
Nearby Near Closer to
Elsewhere There Farther on
Opposite to Far To the right
In between To the left Alongside

Example: She looked over the horizon for any sign though in the distance she could
not see the surprise coming her way.

Your room is adjacent to Letty’s room.

TRANSITION THAT SHOWS COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

COMPARISON
Compared with Like Again
In comparison with Likely Also
In the same way/manner Similarly At the same time
Likewise

CONTRAST
Besides Naturally Still
But Nevertheless Whereas
Conversely Of course While
However On the contrary Yet
In contrast On the other hand Although
Instead Regardless Despite
It may be the case that Granted It is true that
Certainly Unlike Not with standing
Otherwise Different from By contrast
Alternatively despite
Example: The children were very happy. Likewise, their parents were very loving in
providing good care.

The blue dress is good however,the red one is better.

 TRANSITION THAT SIGNAL CAUSE AND EFFECT
As a result Thus In effect
Because Hence Accordingly
So Then Incidentally
Therefor As a result Due to
For that reason Subsequently
Example: South Africa is a nation of about 52 million people of diverse origins; hence, it’s
a combination of cultures, languages, and religions.

Xander study well, as a result, he passed the examination.

TRANSITION THAT ADD, REPEAT, AND EMPHASIZE

ADDITION
Again Equally In fact
Also Further (more) Moreover
And In addition (to..) Too
And then Indeed What is more
besides Next finally
Example: When there is a trusting relationship coupled with positive communication,
equally couples will be able to overcome difficult situations.

She said Armeah was very sweet indeed, but sadly in need of proper instruction.
IMPORTANCE
At first Former with attention to
Most important Latter above all
First Primarily chiefly
Second, etc. Singularly especially
last particularly
Example: The officers gathered each month with attention deciding the business of
their meeting.
REFORMULATION
In other words That is (to say)
Rather To put it more (simply)
Briefly basically
Put simply
Example: When selling something, saying things directly was not the rule. That is to say,
we tried to convey the message subtly though with creativity.
ENUMERATION
First(ly), secondly Last On the top of (that
Finally To begin (with) Next
In the first place more important then
Example: We took the rain, then transferred to a jeep.
VI.
PRACTICE TASKS

Now that you already know the different types of transition signals and its
usage. Let’s practice your understanding!

Directions: Make an autobiography and used transition signals to make it more

comprehensive. (An autobiography is a non-fiction story of a person’s life,
written by the subject themselves from their own point of view
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-autobiography)
VII.
POST - TEST

Directions: Create on original sentence or pair of sentences using the

transition indicated. (2 points each)
1. for example

2. furthermore

3. nevertheless

4. meanwhile

5. however
 IX.
REFERENCE

S. Smith (17 April, 2013) Transition Signals. EAP Foundation Retrieve from:
https://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/cohesion/transitions/

De Vera, E., & Francisco, N., et. al (2017). Essential English Worktext in literature and language. Sta.
Mesa Heights, Quezon City: Rex Book Store Inc.