What is the function of transition words in writing?

• A. They describe settings.
• B. They conclude paragraphs.
• C. They connect ideas and show relationships to improve flow.
• D. They provide evidence.

Answer: (C)

Transition words connect ideas and show how they relate to each other, helping the writing flow smoothly from one thought to the next. They act like bridges between sentences and paragraphs, signaling whether you’re adding information, comparing or contrasting ideas, showing cause and effect, or indicating order or examples. With transitions, readers can see how ideas fit together and follow the writer’s argument or narrative without getting lost.

Describing a setting is done through vivid detail and imagery, not through linking words. Concluding a paragraph happens when you wrap up a point or move to a final thought, rather than just connecting ideas. Providing evidence involves presenting facts or data, while transitions may introduce that evidence but don’t themselves supply the evidence. Using words like therefore, however, in addition, and for example helps show these relationships and keep the writing cohesive.