NOTE: there is a pdf version of this posted in Files tha thas highlighting and color text. It may be easier to understand.
Read:
Let’s examine a little further how to punctuate when using transitional. Many students made some mistakes with the punctuation or wording.
Keep in mind these words and phrases are like “super-conjunctions” and we are considering using them between two independent clauses (also called simple sentences) or between two paragraphs.
In the examples on the second page of the transitionals document I posted days ago, we started with method 1
(First thought ; transitional , second thought.) and then tried out method 3
(First thought . Transitional , second thought.) Note the subtle difference—one has a semicolon followed by a lower-case letter and the other has a period followed by a capital letter. Most people prefer the look of the one with the period, method 3, although both are correct.
Write:
- Please review the 10 sentences you submitted to make sure you punctuated correctly.
PLEASE NOTE: THE ABOVE PUNCTUATIONIS FOR TRANSITIONALS, NOT FOR THE SMALLER COORDINATING AND SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS!
After you check your work and revise any of it if necessary, we need to practice method 2.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL THREE METHODS ARE CORRECT. IT IS EXPECTED IN YOUR NEXT WRITINGS FOREVER YOU SHOULD INCLUDE TRANSITIONALS WHENEVER YOU WRITE ESSAYS OR LETTER THAT CONTAIN MORE THAN ONE PRAGRAPH.
In my opinion, method 2 is the most interesting. If you can master it, this will become a sophisticated aspect of your writing.
- (between two separate sentences)
A Clockwork Orange is an intriguing book. I feel, however, the film is even better.
Note the use of two commas because the transitional interrupts a sentence. Keep in mind that the period is there because you have two separate sentences. A correctly used semicolon would have been for the same reason, you have two separate sentences (or clauses). A comma alone with no joining word would be wrong—a comma-splice. What that means is that the transitional is not necessary, hence the use of a comma to separate it whether it is the first word of the second thought or WITHIN the second thought.
In the example above, you could just have written
A Clockwork Orange is an intriguing book. I feel the film is even better.
or
A Clockwork Orange is an intriguing book; I feel the film is even better.
Since the two thoughts are almost contradictory, one praising the book; the other saying it is less effective than its film version, THE SENTENCES FLOW BETTER, MORE LOGICALLY WHEN YOU ADD A WORD ACKNOWLEDGING THE DIFFERENCE, THE CONTRADICTION, “however.”
Take another look at all three methods again:
Remember to use period, semicolons, and commas appropriately with the following :
- (between two clauses joined by semicolon):
A Clockwork Orange is a thought-provoking film; however, it digressed from the novel too much. “however” here starts a new clause following the semicolon.
- (between two separate sentences)
A Clockwork Orange is an intriguing book. I feel, however, the film is even better.
(Note the use of two commas because the transitional interrupts a sentence.)
3.(between two paragraphs)
Burgess’ novel was way ahead of its time. ← (consider this the end of a paragraph)
¶ Furthermore, Kubrick’s depiction of a future culture saturated with sexual images was prescient.
“Furthermore” starts a new sentence or new paragraph.
¶ shows where a new paragraph starts. You do not actually draw the symbol in!
Write
Now go back to your 10 sentences. If they were originally correct, you have your transitional right after the semicolons or the periods.
- Assuming your sentences are all correct, now look for a place to move the transitional within the second thought.
Keep in mind, your period or semicolon and NOT affected. They do not change positions.
Only the transitionals, which were not necessary BUT WERE DESIRABLE IMPROVEMENTS, can be moved.
We are still one step away from applying these to your essays…
Please redo your sentences. Since you already wrote them and can copy and paste and then revise, all this should be less than 45 minutes of work.
Please submit your resulting 10 sentences in Discussion.
