What are sentence starters?
Sentence starters are words or phrases that help the reader go to the next part of what they are reading. It helps organise reading and enables them to connect everything. It also helps with keeping the reading understandable to anyone reading with minimal issues. They vary in the type of written material as well.
For different settings, they can be formal or be about the current writing. For essays, it can start with "this essay is about..." or something similar. There are also general phrases that can be used in most written works that still work. An example would be "in general," or "similarly".
Different types of sentence starters
Sentence starters are different in the way they are used. They also differ in the way they aim to transition. For academic papers, it typically goes with "this study aims to" or "the purpose of this research is to". For comparison types of writing, this can use "in contrast to", "like A, B can" and so on. This is also useful in lists or sequential types of writing. By using "firstly," and "secondly", followed by the next sequence and such.
Overall, a lot of different uses for a lot of writing and a wide range to make use of. Although some sentence starters are more familiar in certain settings, they apply to even creative work. It provides great transition and easier reading no matter what it is used for.
Why sentence starters?
Why use them, you may ask? To make reading easier for your readers. Not only for them but also for you. It improves writing and makes everything flow better. The lack of sentence starters can make it hard to make reading understandable. Furthermore, it can discourage readers from even reading more because it feels a bit stiff. These can be quite tricky to understand. Particularly concerning learning as well.
How do I use them?
Using them is like making a bridge to make crossing easier. You can add sentence starters and transition through instances like different ideas in a text. Fiction and non-fictional writing, backing up things with sources, and the like. It also works for introducing something into the writing. Additionally, you can make use of it for emphasis on parts you want. It is basically building a bridge or construction. Keep it bridged to another part of your writing.
When to use them?
When you feel the need to relate, move, or transition to the next point, you can use sentence starters. They are dependant on where it matters. It also depends on what you are writing. Put them in parts you feel that need it. The context matters so find where it fits the most too. In the present, transition words keep the writing natural so you can actually see when to use them. Even those in professional settings can still learn more.
Do other type of writings really make use of them? Yes, very much. Some examples cited certain phrases but general ones are used for certain writings. It may not be noticeable but they are very much there. And to add, the way it works is a very smooth transition so it can be barely noticeable. You can also see that it makes things easier for you as well. Academic writing makes use of it a lot too.
Are they modifications or accommodations?
In certain situations, it can be one or the other. Sometimes, in other settings, a set of sentence starters is given for students to use. For modification situations, it is mostly making changes for them. This caters to what they may need and helps them. Accommodations are giving these starters and giving them time to work around it. It basically is either one or the other but can be both.
Where can I learn more?
The College of Contract Management offers how to write things in different courses. This is most useful for those who want to teach and make use of academic writing. They also offer a teaching course that involves English so it makes it easier to develop these skills. Sentence starters can become a smooth transition once you know the basics of it. Additionally, it is useful even in business-heavy settings with lots of writing. So be ready to continue your development and start with the CCM today.
