What is the role of transitions and connective words in a paragraph?

• A. They increase word count.
• B. They show relationships between ideas, making the text easier to follow and more logical.
• C. They determine the text's overall theme.
• D. They identify the author.

Answer: (B)

Transitions and connective words show relationships between ideas and guide the reader through the paragraph. They signal how one idea relates to the next—adding information, showing contrast, presenting cause and effect, or marking the order of steps. This helps the text flow smoothly and makes the argument or description easier to follow. For example, words like “in addition” add information; “however” signals a contrast; “therefore” shows a result. Because of this, the paragraph becomes clearer and more coherent. They aren’t primarily about increasing word count, determining the text's main theme, or identifying the author.