Transitions & Organization — Core Skills

Transitions: The Basics

Part 1 of 2 — Name the Relationship

A transition is a word or short phrase that connects two sentences. Words like however, therefore, and for example are transitions.

On the SAT, a transition question gives you two sentences with a blank between them. Your job is to figure out how the two sentences are related, then pick the word that names that relationship.

The four relationships you need

1. Adding — the second sentence gives more of the same kind of information. also, in addition, additionally, furthermore, moreover

The museum is free on Sundays. In addition, it stays open late that day.

2. Contrast — the second sentence goes the opposite direction from the first. however, but, on the other hand, nevertheless, in contrast

Maya practiced every day. However, she did not make the team.

3. Cause and effect — the first sentence causes the second. therefore, so, as a result, consequently, thus

The road was covered in ice. As a result, the school canceled the bus route.

4. Example — the second sentence gives a specific case of the first. for example, for instance, specifically

Many birds migrate long distances. For example, arctic terns fly from pole to pole.

The trick that works every time

Cover the blank with your finger. Do not look at the answer choices yet.

1. Read the sentence before the blank. Say what it means in your own words.
2. Read the sentence after the blank. Say what it means in your own words.
3. Ask one question: same direction, or opposite direction?

If the second sentence keeps going the same way, you need adding, cause/effect, or example. If it turns and goes the other way, you need contrast.

Only then look at the choices, and pick the one that matches the relationship you already named. The transition never changes what the sentences mean — it just labels how they connect.

Transitions and Organization: Practice

Part 2 of 2 — Two More Families, Plus Order

Part 1 covered adding, contrast, cause/effect, and example. Two more groups show up often.

5. Sequence — puts steps in order. first, next, then, later, finally, subsequently

6. Conclusion — wraps things up. in conclusion, ultimately, in short, all things considered

Organization questions

Some questions do not ask for a word. They ask where a sentence belongs. The clue is almost always a word inside the sentence that points backward.

Dr. Reyes studied desert soil for twenty years. She then tested six samples from the canyon floor.

The word "She" points back to a name. So the sentence with "She" has to come after the sentence that names Dr. Reyes. If it came first, the reader would not know who "she" is.

Look for these pointing-back words: she, he, it, they, this, that, these, those. Whatever they point to must already have been said.

The same idea applies to a definition: if a sentence explains what a term means, it goes before the sentence that uses that term in a new way.

Your checklist for transitions

1. Cover the blank and the answer choices.
2. Say the sentence before the blank in your own words.
3. Say the sentence after the blank in your own words.
4. Same direction, or opposite?
5. Same direction → adding, cause/effect, example, sequence, or conclusion. Opposite → contrast.
6. Now look at the choices and pick the one that matches.

Your checklist for organization

1. Find pointing-back words (she, it, this, they).
2. Find what they point to.
3. The sentence with the pointing-back word goes after the sentence that introduces the thing.