Back to Assignment
Attempts Attempt 1 score is1.7Attempt 2 score is
Keep the Highest 3 out of 33 / 3
Attempt3 score is3
2.5
Directions: Select the blank lines to choose the words or phrases that best complete the following
statements.
Error! Filename not specified.Transitional expressions are words and phrases that point out the exact
relation between one idea and another or one sentence and another. For
3. Persuasion - Transitional Expressions
In a persuasive paragraph, the writer uses logic and reason to convince the reader of a particular
point of view. The writer must indicate reasons that his or her perspective is correct and must use
evidence to support these reasons. The evidence may be facts, examples, a reference to authority,
predicting the consequences, or answering the opposition. To transition among arguments and pieces
of evidence, the writer must use transitional expressions such as "first," "second," "more
importantly," "consequently," "on the other hand," and so forth. As you read the paragraph that
follows, try to identify the transitional expressions that the writer uses to move you through the
argument.
Click "Topic Sentence" or "Body Sentence" to see an explanation of the role the sentence plays in the
paragraph.
Example Paragraph
Topic
Sentence:
Body
Sentence:
Body
Sentence:
Body
Sentence:
Body
Sentence:
School libraries should not be able to restrict students' access to controversial
books.
First and foremost, the U.S. Constitution states that American citizens have a
right to freedoms of speech and press.
Another factor is that, according to publisher Pearson Prentice Hall, some of
the most controversial books are also the most highly recommended and
important books to prepare students for college.
Thus, if individual libraries are able to restrict books at will, many students
may not have access to the materials they need to succeed, and the public's
intellectual freedom will be inhibited.
Some may say that books like The Catcher in the Rye are inappropriate and
"lewd"; on the other hand, teachers and students commonly cite this classic as
one of the most important and influential texts in high school curricula today.
Points:
1 / 1
Explanation:
the persuasive paragraph in particular, transitional expressions move the argument between Error!
Filename not specified.methods of persuasion . Some examples of transitional expressions used
in a persuasive paragraph are "Error! Filename not specified.consequently " and "Error! Filename
not specified.more importantly ."
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
In general, "transitional expressions" point out the exact relation between ideas and sentences in a
paragraph; in a persuasive paragraph, these expressions "move the argument between methods of
persuasion" because the purpose of the paragraph is to convince the reader of a particular point of
view using reasons that appeal to logic. Some transitional expressions that may be used in a
persuasive paragraph include "consequently" and "more importantly."
Directions: Choose the correct number order for the jumbled sentences from the dropdown menu in
the column on the right. (Hint: The first sentence you choose should be the topic sentence.)
Close Explanation
Sentence 1: Television networks must
Paragraph sentences:
For instance, in 2004 CBS rejected an advertisement by a
church that welcomed gay members of the community;
however, in 2010 the network accepted an ad by a different
religious organization that promoted an anti-abortion
position.
Television networks must uniformly refuse to air
advertisements that promote politically or socially biased
viewpoints during the Super Bowl.
First and foremost, television networks have a history of
choosing advertisements that promote certain points of
view over others, promoting particular viewpoints to 106
million viewers worldwide.
Second, as a result of the networks' choices, each year this
nationally televised sporting event becomes a platform for
polarizing political topics that have no relationship to the
National Football League.
Correct Position:
Error! Filename not
specified.3
Error! Filename not
specified.1
Error! Filename not
specified.2
Error! Filename not
specified.4
This sentence is the topic sentence and must
uniformly refuse to air advertisements that
promote politically or socially biased
viewpoints during the Super Bowl.
Sentence 2: First and foremost, television
networks have a history of choosing
advertisements that promote certain points
of view over others, promoting particular
viewpoints to 106 million viewers
worldwide.
Sentence 3: For instance, in 2004 CBS
rejected an advertisement by a church that
welcomed gay members of the
community; however, in 2010 the network
accepted an ad by a different religious
organization that promoted an anti-
abortion position.
Sentence 4: Second, as a result of the
networks' choices, each year this
nationally televised sporting event
becomes a platform for polarizing political
topics that have no relationship to the
National Football League.
therefore come first. The topic sentence
indicates that the writer will argue against
politically or socially biased advertisements
during the Super Bowl. Each reason and piece
of supporting evidence that follows must work
to prove this argument.
Sentence 2 follows the topic sentence with
clues to the order of importance. With the
transitional expression "first and foremost," the
writer indicates that this is her most important
reason as to why networks should reject biased
ads.
Sentence 3 indicates that the writer will provide
an example to support sentence 2. This sentence
uses examples of real network ads to support
the reason, which is that networks are
inconsistent in their choices of politically or
socially biased advertising.
The transitional expression "second" indicates
that this is the next reason that the writer will
give to support her argument that networks
should reject biased advertisements.
Sources: Adhikari, Brinda. "Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad: Anti-Abortion Commercial to Air." ABC World News with Diane
Sawyer. 26 Jan. 2010. ABC News. Accessed 28 April 2010; Associated Press. "Super Bowl Is Most-Watched Program
Ever." Today. 10 Feb. 2010. MSNBC.com. Accessed 29 April 2010.
Which of the following are transitional expressions within the paragraph? Check all that apply.
During the Super Bowl
Hence
First and foremost
In 2004
Second
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
"First and foremost" and "second" are transitional expressions that move the writer's argument from
the most to the least important reason why politically or socially biased ads should not be run during
the Super Bowl.
Which of the following sentences describes the order in which the arguments appear in the paragraph?
The writer uses two reasons and a supporting example to support the topic sentence.
The writer uses three reasons to support the topic sentence and organizes them from least to most
significant.
The writer uses three reasons to support the topic sentence and organizes them from most to least
significant.
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Because the writer introduces her first reason (the fact networks have a history of choosing certain
perspectives over others) with the transitional expression "first and foremost," you can tell that this is
the most important reason that she will give to support the topic sentence. The following sentence,
which begins "for instance," provides an example in support of the first piece of evidence; the writer
uses two similar cases to show that the networks are inconsistent in their decision making. The second
reason that the writer provides is that a national football game is not the place for controversial
political or social topics.
