Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Topic of the week: transitions
There are different categories of transitions and we must keep that in mind when writing our speeches. I know there are many times when I overlook how my main points are flowing, but it is an important detail. There are six categories of different transitions and it is important to use the right category. Ordering is the first transition this is going to include words like first, second, next, then finally, etc. Then there are reinforcing transitions which are also, likewise, in addition, moreover, further, etc. Next is contrasting which includes however, yet, whereas, unless, etc. Fourth is chronology or time this category includes recently, then, during, late, meanwhile, etc. Then we have causality which uses words like reason, with this in mind, etc. Finally there are summarizing or concluding transitions which are review, as I've discussed. I keep saying words but you are able to use phrases also as you can see. Overall just remember to use the right category and have your speech flow because your audience will be thrilled your speech is not choppy.
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HI Brie-
ReplyDeleteI remember see those 6 steps in the videos. I furiously wrote them down only to find them again on page 158 of the text. You picked Transitions for your post. My thoughts regarding transitions are that the importance of them can not be under stated. I have heard speeches in the past that do not transition very well. The topic and presentation seems disjointed and going from one topic to another then back again makes it very difficult to follow. If I'm listening to a speaker and they are hard to follow, I not only don't understand what it is they are trying to say, but I get bored and almost stop listening to them. So, having read those buzz words and phrases helps. Thanks!
FD
I agree that transitions in speech writing are crucial to making your speech not sound choppy. Transitions are so important because they will allow your speech to flow easily, taking the reader logically from one thought to the next. Transitions can sometimes be difficult for me because they are not something that we always use in normal everyday conversations. I suppose this is because we are not making long monologues in daily life. We do often use them in telling stories, though, and I think that using them in that case in speeches could be beneficial to you. In that context they would most likely use chronological.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what all three of you mentioned about transitions. The problem with not having transitions is that all of the content of a speech can be spot on, but still sound terrible if it does not flow and transition smoothly. Obviously this would be where the transitions come into play. If a speech is transitioned properly it automatically sounds better no matter how good or bad the quality of the actual speech is. That's not to say the content is not important though haha! My point is just that I feel like most people underestimate the importance of transition words so I am glad there was an emphasis on that in this weeks work.
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