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Beginning:: Sequencing Words

The document discusses ways to sequence events and ideas when telling a story or providing information about something that happened in the past. It provides examples of common transition words and phrases used to indicate the beginning, continuation, interruptions, simultaneous events, and ending of a story. These include words like firstly, then, suddenly, while, and finally. The document also includes examples of how these transition words can be used in sentences.

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Daniella Paula Lucchi Torres
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1K views3 pages

Beginning:: Sequencing Words

The document discusses ways to sequence events and ideas when telling a story or providing information about something that happened in the past. It provides examples of common transition words and phrases used to indicate the beginning, continuation, interruptions, simultaneous events, and ending of a story. These include words like firstly, then, suddenly, while, and finally. The document also includes examples of how these transition words can be used in sentences.

Uploaded by

Daniella Paula Lucchi Torres
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sequencing words

Telling stories is common in any language. Think of all the situations in


which you can tell a story. In each of these situations - and many others -
you provide information about something that happened in the past. In
order to help your audience understand, you need to link these ideas
together. One of the most important ways to link ideas is to sequence
them. Sequencing refers to the order in which events happened. These are
some of the most common ways to sequence in writing or speaking:
Beginning:
Firstly,
First of all,
To start off with,
Initially,
Examples:
Firstly, I began my education in London.
First of all, I opened the cupboard.
To start off with, we decided our destination was New York.
Initially, I thought it was a bad idea, ...
Continuing:
Then,
After that,
Next,
As soon as / When + full clause,
... but then
Immediately,
Examples:
Then, I started to get worried.
After that, we knew that there would be no problem!
Next, we decided on our strategy.
As soon as we arrived, we unpacked our bags.
We were sure everything was ready, but then we discovered some
unexpected problems.
Immediately, I telephoned my friend Tom.
Interruptions / New Elements to the Story:
Suddenly,
Unexpectedly,
Examples:
Suddenly, a child burst into the room with a note for Ms. Smith.
Unexpectedly, the people in the room didn't agree with the mayor.
Events Occurring at the Same Time
While / As + full clause
During + noun (noun clause)
Examples:
While we were getting ready for the trip, Jennifer was making the
reservations at the travel agent's.
During the meeting, Jack came over and asked me a few questions.
Ending:
Finally,
In the end,
Eventually,
Lastly,
Examples:
Finally, I flew to London for my meeting with Jack.
In the end, he decided to postpone the project.
Eventually, we became tired and returned home.
Lastly, we felt we had had enough and went home.









A) _________ 1. (First of all - Secondly) I fed the kids, next I put the garbage
out. _______ ______ 2. (After that - At last), we all left.
02) It's easier if you go first to the gas station, _________3. (Finally - Secondly) go
to the market, ________ _____ 4. ( but then After that) to the pharmacy, and
then to the post office. _________ 5. (Lastly First), you pick me up.
03) ________6. (First Then) I got home, and ________ 7. (Suddenly Then) I
started studying. Later _______ _____ 8. (At last After that), I fell asleep.
04) I'm finishing this work, ____ _____ 9. (After that At last)!
05) I'll call you first, ok? ____ 10. (Then Eventually) we decide what to do.


01) First, I fed the kids, next I put the garbage out. After that, we all left.
02) It's easier if you go first to the gas station, secondly (or next) go to the
market, after that to the pharmacy, and then to the post office. Finally (or lastly),
you pick me up.
03) First I got home, and then I started studying. Later after that, I fell asleep.
04) I'm finishing this work, at last!
05) I'll call you first, ok? Then we decide what to do.

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