Transitions

1. Transitions

2. Cohesion in writing • Shows the logical and clear connection and relationships between the author’s ideas • Links parts of the sentences, and individual sentences to help the writing to flow Your paper doesn’t show a smooth flow of thoughts. You need to add transitions between ideas! What are some words that I can use to make my paper flow?

3. Cohesive devices • Transitional devices * • Pronounce reference (this, these, that, those, s/he, it, his, her, their) (The Australian prime minister has called an early election. This decision was based on the views of his ministerialadvisors). • Repetition of key words and phrases(The government’s election campaign commenced with a media blitz outlining a seriesof election promises. This beginning to the campaign sparked numerous media commentaries). • Use of parallel structures (When editing your writing, notice what you have repeated, what you have omitted and what you have not expressed clearly. Then the Sun had a turn. His happy beams calmed the air, warmed the earth and made the man feel so hot that he took off his hat and coat).

4. Transitional devices • Transitions are made by referring to what you have said before, establishing cause-and-effect connections, looking ahead to what you will say, referring to the present, marking time and place, qualifying, comparing, contrasting, etc. She went to work. She was sick. • Addition: also, and, besides, furthermore, in addition, indeed, in fact, moreover. • Cause and effect: as aresult, because, since, consequently, accordingly, hence, thus, therefore, so. • Time markers: now, then, later, soon, before, next, afterward, finally, meanwhile, thereafter, at the same time • Comparison: similarly, in the same way, likewise, just as. • Concession: admittedly, naturally, although it is true, of course. • Contrast: but, nevertheless, nonetheless, in contrast, on the other hand, however, despite this, still, on the contrary, conversely, although, even though, yet, whereas • Example: for example, for instance, specifically, particularly, as an illustration, in this case. • Elaboration: that is, in other words, to put it another way, ultimately, actually. • Conclusion: in sum, in conclusion, in short, thus, summing up, in brief, on the whole.

5. Mock Trial Closing Arguments for the Defense Attorney ___you probably have already learned, the defense attorney delivers his or her closing argument after the prosecutor speaks. __, __the prosecutor has the burden of proof, he or she is allowed to speak again after the defense counsel speaks. The mock trial defense lawyer only has one opportunity to speak. ____a prosecutor, who is able to plan his or her opening statement, the defense counsel has to be a little more prepared to think on their feet. The mock trial defense lawyer has to be prepared to respond to the points that the prosecutor is making. The defense attorney should begin by thanking the jurors for their time. In a mock trial competition, it is best to write down 8 or 10 of your strongest points and be prepared to focus on them. You will want to weave in some of the themes from your case depending on the facts of your trial scenario. __you should make a point of responding to the prosecutors closing argument. This shows the judge you were listening to the opposition when they were speaking and it shows you can think on your feet. ___, the defense counsel might say: “Now we have just listened to the prosecutor state that the police found fingerprints of my client at the scene of the burglary. ___, that is not a very strong point considering that my client had been a guest at the victim’s home on earlier occasions.”  Responding to an occasional point like this is better than just reading a prepared statement, or arguing off a prepared outline alone.

6. Mock Trial Closing Arguments for the Defense Attorney As you probably have already learned, the defense attorney delivers his or her closing argument after the prosecutor speaks. In addition, since the prosecutor has the burden of proof, he or she is allowed to speak again after the defense counsel speaks. The mock trial defense lawyer only has one opportunity to speak. Unlike a prosecutor, who is able to plan his or her opening statement, the defense counsel has to be a little more prepared to think on their feet. The mock trial defense lawyer has to be prepared to respond to the points that the prosecutor is making. The defense attorney should begin by thanking the jurors for their time. In a mock trial competition, it is best to write down 8 or 10 of your strongest points and be prepared to focus on them. You will want to weave in some of the themes from your case depending on the facts of your trial scenario. Also you should make a point of responding to the prosecutors closing argument. Thisshows the judge you were listening to the opposition when they were speaking and it shows you can think on your feet. For example, the defense counsel might say: “Now we have just listened to the prosecutor state that the police found fingerprints of my client at the scene of the burglary. However, that is not a very strong point considering that my client had been a guest at the victim’s home on earlier occasions.”  Responding to an occasional point like this is better than just reading a prepared statement, or arguing off a prepared outline alone. (http://mocktrialblog.com/2011/10/03/mock-trial-closing-arguments-for-the-defense-attorney/)

7. An example of a closing speech • Read an example of a closing speech of the defense attorney. In your opinion, would the attorney be able to defend her client with this speech? If not, why? • Imagine you had to present it in court. Rewrite the speech using the suggestions from the first article and paying attention to transitions between the ideas.

8. Important things to remember • When transitions begin a sentence, they often require the use of a comma. • Transitions and transitional devices don't always have to appear at the beginning of a sentence. • Before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure that it's the right match for the logic in your paper. • Do not overuse transitions in your writing!