Chapter 13: Organizing, Writing, and Outlining Presentations

Transitions

Transitions are sentences that connect different points, thoughts, and details in a way that allows them to flow naturally from one to the next. Clear transitions cue the audience in on where you’re headed with the speech and how your ideas and supporting material are connected. They also alert your audience that you will be making a point. Consider the following examples of transitions:

“I’ve just described some of the amazing activities you can enjoy in our National Parks, so let me tell you about two parks that you can visit within a three-hour drive of our campus.”
“In addition to the environmental benefits of riding your bike to school, there are some fantastic financial and health benefits that you can enjoy.”

Notice how the transitions in both examples also serve to alert your audience that you will be making a point that you want them to remember. Transitions are, therefore, essential to making your points clear and easy to follow.