A sentence or two that lets the audience know that a speaker has finished one thought and is moving on to another is called a Group of answer choices bridge. summary. transition. conclusion. corollary.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Transition
A transition is a sentence or two that signals to the audience that the speaker is shifting from one idea or section to the next. Transitions help maintain the flow of a speech or piece of writing by connecting ideas smoothly. They ensure that the audience can follow the speaker’s train of thought without confusion, creating coherence and clarity in the overall message.
In public speaking and writing, transitions serve several essential purposes. First, they guide the audience through the structure of the presentation, indicating when one point ends and another begins. For example, a speaker might say, “Now that we’ve looked at the causes, let’s turn to the effects,” which clearly marks a shift in focus.
Second, transitions help reinforce the organization of the content. They act as signposts, making it easier for listeners to stay engaged and understand how the different parts relate to the overall argument or theme. This is especially important in spoken communication, where listeners can’t go back and reread a section.
The other answer choices, while related to speech structure, have different roles:
- A bridge connects ideas but is more commonly used in writing than speaking.
- A summary recaps previous content rather than introduces new ideas.
- A conclusion signals the end of the speech.
- A corollary is a statement that follows logically from a previous statement, not a shift between topics.
In summary, a transition is the best term to describe the language used to move smoothly from one idea to another during a speech or presentation. It keeps the audience oriented and enhances the clarity and effectiveness of the speaker’s message.