Which of these statements best describes the purpose of transitional words?
They create a clear connection between a reason and its supporting evidence.
They add more descriptive detail to the claim’s supporting evidence.
They clarify how the writer feels about the claim being made in the essay.
They identify the reasons being used to support the writer's claim.
They create a clear connection between a reason and its supporting evidence.
The purpose of transitional words is to create a clear connection between a reason and its supporting evidence.
To determine the best statement that describes the purpose of transitional words, we can analyze the options provided.
The first statement, "They create a clear connection between a reason and its supporting evidence," suggests that transitional words help establish a link between reasons and the evidence supporting those reasons. This could be a key function of transitional words.
The second statement, "They add more descriptive detail to the claim's supporting evidence," implies that transitional words provide additional descriptive information to support the evidence of a claim. While transitional words may enhance the clarity and coherence of ideas, this statement seems to focus more on descriptive details rather than the connection between reasons and evidence.
The third statement, "They clarify how the writer feels about the claim being made in the essay," suggests that transitional words help convey the writer's feelings about the claim. While transitional words may contribute to the overall tone and expression of the writer's voice, this statement more directly relates to the writer's emotions rather than their reasons and supporting evidence.
The fourth statement, "They identify the reasons being used to support the writer's claim," indicates that transitional words help signal and identify the reasons behind a writer's claim. This statement aligns with the purpose of transitional words, as they often provide cues or signposts for readers to understand the reasons being presented.
Considering these statements, the most accurate and comprehensive description of the purpose of transitional words is the fourth statement: "They identify the reasons being used to support the writer's claim." Transitional words play a crucial role in conveying the logical progression and coherence of ideas by signaling the relationship between reasons and supporting evidence.