Note in the following examples how precisely used transitional words help the reader understand the logical relationship of ideas.

NOT: The Company is under a hiring freeze, AND no potential employees were interviewed.

AND is the least precise transitional word.

BUT: The Company is under a hiring freeze, SO no potential employees were interviewed.

SO more precisely communicates the cause/effect relationship.

NOT: We would like to have the flooring repaired following the installation of additional electrical outlets. We are concerned about possible damage to sensitive equipment in the area. No repairs are scheduled at this time.

This paragraph is choppy and awkward to read. No transitional devices provide flow and show the relationship of ideas.

BUT: We would like to have the flooring repaired following the installation of additional electrical outlets. HOWEVER, we are concerned about possible damage to sensitive equipment in the area. THEREFORE, no repairs are scheduled at this time.

Without these transitional words, the reader might understand a different relationship between the sentences:

"We would like to have the flooring repaired following the installation of additional electrical outlets BECAUSE we are concerned about possible damage to sensitive equipment in the area. HOWEVER, no repairs are scheduled at this time."

Transitional words help ensure that readers understand the relationship of ideas in separate sentences.

Let's look at another way to relate ideas in sentences:

When you use "this," "that," "these," and "those," repeat key words to link sentences.

NOT: Attached are the Quality Improvement Team's 2007 quarterly reports on successful enhancements in Operations. THESE include only completed enhancements recommended by the QI team.

The reader may have to re-read the sentences to answer his question. Repetition of the key word "reports" enables the reader to understand the sentences with only one reading:

BUT: Attached are the Quality Improvement Team's 2007 quarterly reports on successful enhancements in Operations. THESE REPORTS include only completed enhancements recommended by the QI team.