Abstract :
Wiener (1981) states that transitional signals are connectors between statements or ideas in paragraphs. This study focuses on the use transitional signals in discussion texts. It is qualitative in nature. The writer analyzed 18 discussion texts written by the 5th semester Widya
Mandala Surabaya Catholic University of the academic year of 2008/2009 and found:
1. 75 transitional signal and 8 types of transitional
signals encountered in the discussion texts.
2. The transitional signals most frequently used is because
which appears 48 times (21,23%).
3. The type of transitional signals are used in the
discussion texts are addition, conclusion, contrast,
comparison, emphasis, example,reason/premise, and result.
4. The type of transitional signals which is most frequently
used in the texts analyzed is reason/premise which
appears 62 times (27 ,07%) followed by contrast which
appears 4 7 times (20 ,52%) and the rest signals appear
between 4,80% and 15,72%.
5. The type of transitional signals most frequently used in
arguments for the issue in discussion texts is
reason/premise which appears 23 times (21 ,49%)
followed by conclusion and result signals which appear
8 times (1,86%) and the rest signals appear between
0,93% and 5,60%.
6. The type oftransitional signals most frequently used in
arguments against the issue is reason premise, it appears
25 times (23,80%) followed by contrast which appears
15 times (14,28%) and the rest signals appear between
0,95% and 7,61 %.
7. The transitional signals which is mostly used as a
bridge between as arguments for and arguments against
the issue is, On the other hand. It appears 3 times
(42.85%) followed by but, although, for some other
people, they think that. .. , other against those
arguments ... which appear 1 time (14,28%).
Based on the findings above, the writer concludes that from 18 discussion essay, there are only 7 discussion essay that used transitional signals as a bridge between the arguments for and the arguments against the issue and the signals are On the other hand, But, Although. For some other people think .. , Others against those arguments. In line with these findings, some suggestions are given:
1. The lecturers of Writing IV teach various types of
transitional signals in discussion text and how to use them
in organizing their ideas.
2. The fifth semester students who are taking Writing IV
should read more the example of discussion texts and more
creative in using transitional signals.
3. A further study about transitional signals, which is
particularly concerned with the appropriateness of
transitional signals in discussion texts.