A transition is the link that tells the reader how one paragraph leads to the next. In longer compositions, readers judge structure by how smoothly the ideas progress, so a few well-built bridges can lift a draft without adding a single new idea.
This lesson belongs to first-language composition. It follows building an argument because arguments depend on the order of reasons.
How do you build a transition that works?
There are three useful kinds.
- Echo: repeat a key word from the end of the last paragraph at the start of the next.
- Turn: show a change, using 然而, 可是, 直到, or a time shift.
- Question and answer: end one paragraph with a puzzle that the next one addresses.
Whatever kind you choose, the sentence must say something about the content, not only about the order.
Worked example
Narrative title: 《学骑自行车》. Invented writer.
Paragraph 1 ends: 摔到第三次的时候，我把车扔在地上，生气地说，这辆车一定有问题。
Weak start of paragraph 2: 其次，爸爸来了。
Strong start of paragraph 2: 爸爸没有检查车，只是蹲下来，问我刚才摔倒前眼睛看哪里。
The strong version echoes 车 and answers the writer’s complaint by shifting attention from the bike to the eyes. The reader sees why the story moves forward. The next paragraph can continue with 我看着前轮, which explains the problem.
The mistake to watch for
Mistaken draft: 首先，我在公园学骑车。其次，我摔了很多次。最后，我学会了。
Each sentence sits in a separate box. The words 首先, 其次 and 最后 count the steps but do not explain why each step leads to the next.
Correction: build the links from the content.
我在公园学骑车，可是一连摔了三次。直到爸爸问我眼睛看哪里，我才发现自己一直盯着前轮。把目光抬起来以后，车终于稳了。
The words 可是 and 直到 show conflict and discovery, and 以后 shows result.
Check yourself
1. Write a bridge sentence from a paragraph about a noisy classroom to a paragraph about a quiet library.
Show answer
Example: 从吵闹的教室走进图书馆，我第一次发现安静也有声音。It uses a movement that connects the two scenes.
2. Which is stronger: (a) 另外，我还有一个理由。 (b) 如果说时间是第一个原因，那么金钱就是第二个障碍。
Show answer
(b). It refers back to the previous idea and names how the next one relates.
3. Underline the echo in: 他把伞递给我，我接过伞，却没有撑开。伞骨冰凉，像一只刚从雨里伸出来的手。
Show answer
The word 伞 repeats and links the clauses, and 伞骨 carries the idea into the next sentence.
Where this leads next
A good bridge helps the ending too. Continue with revising an ending that merely repeats the introduction. Teachers in online one-to-one Chinese tuition can mark the seams in your own draft.