Transitions

Transitions are key elements of good newspaper writing. Transitions are especially important in complex stories, a tool writers and editors use to control their material. Transitions have several functions and uses.

Transitions can:

• Announce topics – The first transition is really the nut graph. Each transition that follows should clearly announce the subject of each successive section.
• Bridge & connect – Transitions explain the relationship between individual points of a story and the main theme of a story.
• Summarize & project – Transitions often briefly repeat what has just been covered and preview what will be covered.
• Introduce & reinforce key terms – In longer stories, it is important to use key words clearly and precisely so the reader can easily follow the development of the central theme.

Transitions help writers and editors:

• Organize – Transitions are essential when it comes to organizing long stories. Most long stories are broken into sections and the sections organized in some kind of logical progression. Each section usually opens with a transition that is performing one or more of the functions listed above.
• Pace – Breaking a story into sections with good transitions is one way to present information and emotion in steady, measured doses. Transitions help control the flow of a story.
• Manage complexity – Complex, sophisticated stories must be told in clear, manageable steps. Sketched out transitions can be used as an outline in planning and reporting stages to guide a reporter’s time and effort. In the first draft and revision stages they help organize material and guide the writing.