SSAT Writing Independent
Writing
Opening Lines and Transitional
Phrases
The opening of a story should normally tell the
reader:
Where and when the story is set
Who the characters are
The style and mood of the story
How should I begin?
There are many different ways to start a story. Here
are a few of them:
Description of a character:
Once there were four children whose
names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and
Lucy.
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis
Or you could begin with…
Description of setting:
The hottest day of the summer so far was drawing
to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large,
square houses of Privet Drive.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
Or how about…
Description of setting and character:
A thousand miles ago, in a country
east of the jungle and south of the
mountains, there lived a Firework-
Maker called Lalchand and his
daughter Lila.
The Firework-Maker’s Daughter by Phillip
Pullman
Or maybe…
Action:
Peter crouched over
the fire, stirring the
embers so that the
sparks swarmed up
like imps on the rocky
walls of hell.
Count Karlstein by Phillip
Pullman
Or…
Dialogue:
I’m going shopping in the
village,” George’s mother
said to George on Saturday
morning. “So be a good
boy and don’t get up to
mischief.”
George’s Marvellous Medicine by
Roald Dahl
How about…
A question:
Ever had the feeling your life’s been
flushed down the toilet?
The Toilet of Doom by Michael Lawrence
Or maybe…
A statement:
It’s a funny thing about
mothers and fathers. Even
when their own child is the
most disgusting little blister
you could ever imagine,
they still think that he or
she is wonderful.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Don’t forget!
Your opening should also have a ‘hook’. That
is, something to keep the reader interested and
make him or her want to read more.
Now try planning your own story opening.
1. Most people believe that it is better to have
loved and lose than to never have loved at all.
Tell about an experience that shows this
statement to be true.
2. Compare and contrast a vacation in a cold
climate and a vacation in a warm climate
Consider your body paragraphs. Do you
use any of these phrases?
First My first, second,
Second third/last reason…
Third
One reason is…
Lastly
To begin with,
To conclude,
Purpose of Transitional Terms
Transitional words and phrases are included in
the work of successful writers to help bridge
and connect:
Paragraphs
Supporting Ideas
Transitional words help your reader to follow
your writing ideas
Let’s PUMP UP our Writing!
These common transitional phrases do not add
strength to our writing; they make our writing sound
like we are listing off our ideas rather than explaining
them.
Good writers consider how the reader will progress
through our writing by considering sturdy
transitional words and phrases.
Where Can I Place Transitional Words and
Phrases in My Writing?
Transitional words and phrases may be placed:
At the beginning of paragraphs to help transition
from paragraph to paragraph
Inside paragraphs to help transition from one
supporting detail to another
Inside paragraphs to help elaborate upon
supporting details
Watch Out for Transition Overload!
Be specific in the placement and application of
your transitional words and phrases. Not every
idea or sentence needs to begin with one of
these terms.
Not All Transitional Phrases Are Equal
Transitional phrases and words are not “one
size fits all”
Different transitional phrases and terms belong
in specific areas of writing and serve distinct
jobs
Transitional Phrases
to Indicate More Information:
In addition
Additionally
In fact
Moreover
Also
Together with
Equally important
Similarly
Transitional Phrases to Indicate an
Example
For example,
For instance,
Specifically,
To demonstrate,
To illustrate,
Notably,
Transitional Phrases to a Cause/Effect
Relationship
Due to ______,
For
For the reason that ______,
Since ______, then ____
Consequently
If…then
As a result
Transitional Phrases to Compare or
Contrast
Although
However
In comparison
Likewise
On the other hand
Transitional Phrases to a Cause/Effect
Relationship
Due to ______,
For
For the reason that ______,
Since ______, then ____
Consequently
If…then
As a result
Transitional Phrases to Compare or
Contrast
Although
However
In comparison
Likewise
On the other hand
Transitional Phrases to Add Emphasis
Above all,
Even more,
More importantly,
Transitional Phrases to Conclude
Therefore
Furthermore
Altogether
Overall
Finally
First you need to think about…
The who, where, when and what!
Who is your story about?
Where and When is it set?
What is going to happen?
Transitional words are used to show
how ideas are connected.
although
though
Copy these words on a
the reverse
sheet of paper. When
but we are finished, put the
unlike list in your Writing
while Folders. Use it as you
however revise and edit your
yet persuasive writing.
unless
in contrast
on the other hand
EXAMPLES
Unlike most of my classmates, I believe that
students should be given more homework.
Families on vacation want to visit national
parts, yet many of these parks are damaged by
an overload of tourist traffic.
Some school-board members believe that schools
although should be in session all year around;
though ___________ most students and many teachers
oppose the idea.
the reverse
The Shop-o-Rama Company plans to build
but another mall nearby, ___________ their present
mall has many empty shops.
unlike
A weekend curfew for teenagers might make our
while town quieter at night; _______________, a
curfew might violate young people’s rights.
however
My mom thinks billboards are an ugly sight on
yet the landscape. ________________, my dad
believes billboards are helpful to travelers and to
unless local businesses.
in contrast Students should not have to do homework
on the other hand _____________ they haven’t completed their
work in class.
1. Sometimes lies can have serious
consequences. Describe a time when a lie had
major consequences for you
2. The first time we try something new can be
exciting, frightening, and enlightening. Tell
about an important “first” in your life and
what you learned from the experience.
