SAT Transitions

Category 1: Continuers 

Zooming in or giving an example

  • Provide an example

  • Giving a specific example or going into more detail about it

  • Examples: For instance, for example


Swapping - Don't use this on knowt

  • It's similar to Agreement and Compare, but I want to keep those two separate.

  • The sentence before the blank and the sentence with the blank are completely interchangeable. 

  • Doesn't change the meaning of the sentence

  • Examples: Similarly, likewise, moreover, furthermore


Define/Clarify or Restatement

  • The sentence with the blank restates what it just said

  • Examples: In other words, that is 


Sequence

  • Are the events in the sentences being organized by time or by position?

  • When there's a timeline

  • Examples: then, later, before, first, finally, previously, meanwhile, and subsequently.


Add-on or Addition/exemplification

  • Does the second sentence elaborate on the first?

  • Adds more info

  • Examples: furthermore, moreover, additionally


Emphasis or Confirmation

  • Emphasize what was said before it 

  • The blank introduces new info, but that new info confirms what the sentence before it said

  • Examples: In fact, indeed


Compare/Agreement

  • Compares 2 things

  • Do the sentences express the same underlying idea?

  • Examples: likewise, similarly


Frequency

  • The sentence with the blank has to describe some kind of trend 

  • Examples: Again and again, sometimes, often, nowadays


Category 2: Causation / Cause  & Effect

Cause and effect

  • Is the second sentence caused by or a consequence of the idea in the first sentence?

  • 1st sentence before the transition word causes the 2nd to happen

  • Examples: therefore, thus, accordingly, then



Category 3:  Contrast / Contradict 

Subverting Expectations OR Contrasting (disagree) 

  • Do the sentences identify a disagreement or contrast? 

  • 2 sentences contradict each other

  • In depth: The sentence has to go against what you’d expect after reading the sentence before it

  • Example:  however, but, yet, conversely, though, still, in contrast, although, nevertheless, and on the other hand. Instead, regardless