A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRANSITION SIGNALS IN THE EDUCATION ARTICLES ON EDARTICLE AND
O. HENRY’S SHORT STORIES
METHODOLOGY
This research focuses on a comparative study of transitional signals in the education articles of Edarticle and short stories by O. Henry. Therefore, the method used is descriptive method using qualitative approach. Qualitative research is the research studies which emphasize the investigation on the quality of relationships, activity, situations, or material, (Frankel and Wallen; 1993). Besides, this research emphasizes more on the quality of material as the data of the analysis.
The primary data are the education articles written by Edarticle and short stories written by O. Henry. In the primary data, the researcher read and observed the articles and short stories carefully and then critically. The secondary data of this research are collected from other sources as some books, library and also internet related with transitional signals theories and articles and short stories which help the research comparative study of education articles and short stories.
FINDINGS
This section describes the kinds of transition signals that were tabulated based on Oshima and Hogue’s theories. They stated that the signals were divided into three kinds, namely connectors, coordinators and subordinators. The use of transition signals in articles and short stories was analyzed in table below. The table shows the frequency of each transition signals.
The Frequency of Transition Signals in Articles
In this research, the writer finds a lot of transition signals used in the articles. Moreover, the complete finding of transition signals can be found in the appendix. Therefore, the tables below are the list of the transition signals used in all articles of Edarticle. Moreover, the writer does not only list those transitions but also categorize those transition signals based on type of transition signals which are already discussed in the review of related literature.
Table 1. The Frequency of Transition Signals
Connectors At the Beginning
From Table 1, there are several transition signals used to show time, namely, however, thus, generally, therefore, the first, the second, further, addition, also, next. The transition signals are found in articles one and two.
In other word, there are 14 times and 5 times in articles at all. Therefore, the total number of transition words found in all articles is 19.
For example, at beginning of the articles:
“thus, orthographic coding to refers to ability....” (articles: p. 1)
“However, in her view, dyspraxia is an inability” (articles: p. 3) In the Middle
From Table 1, there are 9 transition words used to show time, namely, that is, especially, then, such as. The transition signals are found in first and second articles. Thus, there are 9 transition words found in all articles.
For example, in the middle in the articles:
“ The sensorimotor system, especially kinesthetic...” (articles: p. 2)
“ in writen form, such as teacher-prepared handouts....” (articles: p. 5) Coordinators
Coordinators are the most frequently transition signal used in the articles. There are 73 coordinators used in first articles and 20 coordinators used in second articles. Therefore, the total occurrence is 93 items. The coordinators used in the articles are but, and or, so and yet.
N o
Kinds of Transition Article first Article second Total I Connectors
At the Beginning 14 5 19
In the middle 5 4 9
At the end - - -
II Coordinators 73 20 93
III Subordinators 32 3 35
For example, coordinators in the articles:
“ in the development and dissemination of research...” (articles: p. 6)
“of the arm so that the fingers the wrist...” (articles: p.3) Subordinator
From Table 1 in subordinators section, there are 35 items of transition signals found all articles. Specifically, there are 32 items in first articles and 3 items in second articles, namely, because, when, as, although, then, if, and after. The highest frequency in the transition showing subordinator words is when which can be seen in the appendix, particularly 10 items in all articles. Subordinator is used 10 times in the articles but it is not found in the second article.
The examples of subordinators in the articles:
Comma is used when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.
“although, it is the nonvisual or kinesthic feedback ...” (articles:p. 3)
if the independent clause comes after the independent clause, do not comma.
“more friction on the paper when writing. They complain...” (articles: p. 4) The Frequency of Transition Signals in Short Stories
In this research, the writer found many transition signals used in the short stories. The complete findings of transition signals can be found in the appendix. The table below shows the list of the transition signals used in all short stories of O. Henry. Moreover, the writer does not only list the transitions but also categorize the transition signals based on type of transition signals which are already discussed in the review of related literature.
Table 2. The Frequency of Transition Signals
Connectors At the Beginning
There are 5 items of transition signals found short stories, namely, then, besides, next. The transition signals are found in first and second short story. In other word, there are 5 times and 1 times in short stories at all. Therefore, total number of transition words found in all short stories is 6.
The examples of the connectors used at the beginning found in the short stories:
“”said Sue”.”Besides, I don’t want you to keep looking at those...” (short stories: p. 3)
“the next day the docter said to sue:...” (short stories: p. 11) In the Middle
Table 2 shows that there are 9 transition words used to show time, namely, that is, first, then, also. The transition signals are found in first and second short story. Moreover, it is found that are 5 items and 4 items.
Therefore, total number of transition words found in all short stories is 9.
The examples of the connectors used in the middle found in the short stories:
“it is the weakness, then” said the doctor...” (short stories: p. 2)
“in writen form, such as teacher-prepared handouts....” (short stories: p. 5) At the End
There are two (the first), one (again) used in all short stories. There are two items in the first short story and one item in the second short story. The most important one is only used once in the second short story. There is also one item of the most important connector found second short story, again.
The examples of the connectors used at the end found in the short stories:
“the janitor found him in the morning of the first day in........” (short stories: p. 6)
“in written form, such as teacher-prepared handouts....” (short stories: p. 5) Coordinators
The writer discovers that there are 132 items used in the first short story and the second short story. The total frequency of coordinators found in all short stories is 101 items. Besides, so, or and but found in the first short story and the second short story. Coordinator yet is not found in the short stories.
No Kinds of Transition Short story first Short story
second Total
I Connectors
At the Beginning 4 1 5
In the middle 5 4 9
At the end 2 1 3
II Coordinators 81 51 132
III Subordinators 20 18 38
The examples of coordinators in the short stories:
“the gas is here, and you see there ...” (short stories: page 8)
“in the theaters, but Missis Mooney she was...” (short stories: p. 11) Subordinators
From Table 2 in subordinator section, there are 38 items of transition signals found in all short stories.
Specifically, there are 20 items in the first short story and 18 items in the second short story. The highest frequency of the transition signals which shows subordinator words, for instance when, can be seen in the appendix, particularly 10 items in all short stories. Besides, the names of subordinators words are because, when, as, since, although, than, if, and after.
The examples of subordinators found in the short stories:
Comma is used if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.
“He left owing me a week. Before him was Missis crowder...” (short stories: p. 11) If the independent clause comes after the independent clause, do not comma.
“He smothered his excitement as best he could...” (short stories: p. 10) The Similarities of Transition Signals Found in the Articles and the Short Stories
Based on the data, the similarities of transition signals found in the articles and the short stories were shown by the rank of each transition signal and the similar signals of coordinators that were found in the articles and the short stories. For more information, the following tables show the similarities of transition signals that were used in articles and short stories.
Table 3. The Number of Transition Signals Found in the Articles and the Short
The table shows that there were similar ranks of each kind of transition signals in the number of frequency.
Coordinators were the most dominant type in the articles and short stories which appeared 93 times and 132 times respectively. The next rank was followed by subordinators which appeared 35 times in articles and 38 times in short stories. While the least dominant was the use of connectors which appeared 28 times in articles and 18 times in short stories.
Table 4. The Signals of Connectors, Coordinator and Subordinators Found in The Articles and The Short Stories
The table clearly shows that there were similar signals of coordinators, subordinator and connectors appeared in the articles and in the short stories. All of the signals of coordinators such as and, but, or, and so were used not only in the articles but also in the short stories. While some signals of subordinators such as as, if, after, when, because, and than were used both in the articles and in the short stories. The last was the use of signals of connectors, such as then, that is, first, the next, also and thus, that were also used both in the articles and in the short stories.
The Differences of Transition Signals in Articles and Short Stories
Based on the data, the differences of transition signals that were used in the articles and in the short stories were shown by the difference of the use of some transition signals of connectors and one signal of subordinators which were used in articles but not in short stories. On the other hand, some other transition signals were used in the articles and the short stories.
Transition signals
Articles Short stories
F F
Coordinators 93 132
Subordinators 35 38
Connectors 28 18
Kinds of transition signals Articles Short stories Coordinator : so, and,or, but.
Subordinators : as, if, after, when, because, than, Connectors : then, that is, first, the next, also, thus.
Some transition signals of connectors were used in the articles (9 types of signals: generally, therefore, however, such as, further, for example, additionally, second, especially) but not in the short stories. On the other hand, some other transition signals of connectors were not used in articles, but they were used in the short stories (four types of signals: now, besides, before, again). One transition signal of subordinators was used in articles (one type of signal: although), but not used in the short stories. One transition signal was used in short stories (two type of signals: before, since). In addition, there was only one transition signals of coordinators used in articles (one type of signal: yet), but it was not used in the short stories.
DISCUSSION
Based on the results of the data, there are some points that can be discussed in this study. The first point of the study shows that the transition signals used both in articles and in short stories are dominated by coordinators (coordinating conjunction). These coordinator signals are and, but, or, yet (found only in the articles) and so from five signals. The use of and is the most dominant in the articles and the short stories. Most of the sentences in articles and short stories use this signals because there are many ideas which add one idea to another idea or similar idea. As stated by Reid (1998) that the use of and has the function to show what is additional or supplementary.
The second point is that the transition signals of subordinator are the second frequently used in the articles and the short stories. Subordinators (subordinating conjunctions) are the first words of dependent clauses. A dependent clause must be added with an independent clause to make a complex sentence. The subordinators are as, if, after, when, because, before (found only the short stories), although (found only the articles), since (found only the short stories) and than are found both in articles and short stories. Among these subordinators, when is the most frequently used. It is because in the articles and short stories, most of the sentences or ideas are telling about time or occasion. The signals of when is used to show relationship in time (Reid:1998).
The third point is the uses of connectors. These connectors are the least used in the articles and short stories. Some of the connectors, for instance then, that is, the next, thus, also, such as, first of all, especially, however, further, additionally, generally, therefore and second, are employed articles. While in the short stories, the connectors then, that is, now, besides, the first, the next, also, thus, before, and again are used. The use of then is the most frequently used in the articles and short stories. It happens because most of the texts tell about relationship (chronological situation). It means that the ideas are arranged according to time or the order of importance. In addition, then is also used for cause and effect and additional ideas.
The next point is there are some similar transition signals of coordinators, subordinators and connectors appeared both in the articles and in the short stories. The coordinators are and, but, or, and so. The four signals are the most dominant in the articles and the short stories. The subordinators are when, because, as, than, after and if.
Among these subordinators, the use of when frequently appeared in the articles and in the short stories. The connectors are then, that is, first, next, also, and thus. The signals of then is dominantly used in the articles and in the short stories.
The last point of this study is some signals of connectors which are only found in the articles but not in the short stories, such as for example, generally, therefore, however, such as, further, additionally, especially, and second. Besides, there is one signal of subordinators that is only found in the articles but not in the short stories, such as although. One signal of coordinators that is only found in the articles but not in the short stories such is yet.
Such as is the most frequently used in the articles. It is because articles as one kind of nonfiction subjects, meaning that most of the ideas written based on fact of what is happening at the time. Therefore, to make it clearer, the description of the issue should be added with an example or illustration. The next signals are used to signal what follows. Besides, there is one signal of subordinator that is only found in the short stories but not in the articles such as before. On the other hand, there are also some signals of connectors; now, besides, before and again which are only found in the short stories but not in the articles. The use of first is the most frequently used in the short stories because most of the ideas show signals what follows chronological order of what precedes (Reid, 1998). In addition, this signal enables a writer to pull a line of reasoning together into a single focus.
The Percentage of the Use of Transition signals
In this part, the writer provides the percentage of connectors, coordinators, subordinator of the transition signals in all short stories and articles. The percentage includes each kind of transition signals.
Chart 1
The Percentage of the Use of Each Kind Transition Signal
As we can see in the graphic above, there are kinds of transition signals used in the writing assignment, those:
Connectors : To join one independent clause with another compound sentence Coordinators : To connect two independent clauses to form compound.
Subordinators : To join an independent clause to form compound.
The total percentage of the use of all transition signals are 100%. Most of the transition signals are used appropriately. Moreover, the graphic above illustrates that the transition shows basic group according to their functions: Connectors 17.94%, coordinators 59.61 %, and subordinators 22.43 % in articles. Besides, the transition showing basic group according to their functions: Connectors 9.57%, coordinators 70.21%, and subordinators 20.2 % in short stories.
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the data gathered during this study, two conclusions were drawn. First, the transition signals that were used both in the articles and in the short stories including all kinds of transition signals based on Oshima and Hogue’s theory showed in similar ranks of each kind numbers. The coordinators were the most frequently used. The next type was the use of subordinators and the least was the use of connectors. In addition, there were similar signals of coordinators, subordinators, and connectors used both in the articles and in the short stories.
In other words, we may say that the uses of transition signals both in the articles and in the short stories were relatively similar in pattern.
Second, there was just a little difference in using transition signals that were used in the articles, not in the short stories. Some transition signals (connectors, coordinators, subordinators) were found in the articles but not in the short stories and the uses of such as were dominantly used. While, the other such as generally, therefore, however, further, for example, additionally, second, especially, yet, although were accidently used. On the other hand, some of them were found in short stories but not articles and the use of before was the dominant. While the other signals such as now, besides, again and since were also accidentally used.
Suggestion
Considering the result obtained in the previous sections, it is suggested that the writers and the readers of English texts need to learn more about the use of transition signals since transition signals are quite important. The writer should be more careful in using transition signals in appropriate position, right punctuation and clear texts in order to make the texts easier to be understood.
REFERENCES
Coffey, M. P. (1987). Communication through W riting. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Fraenkel, J. R. (1993). How to Design and Evaluate Research. New York: Mc Graw Hill.
Horby, A.S. (1987). Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mcmahan, E. & Day, S. (1980). The Writer’s Rhetoric and Handbook. Chicago: McGraw Hill Book Company.
Montgomery, M. (2000). W ays of Reading (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
Oshima, A & Hogue, A .(1995). W riting Academic English. New York: Addison-Wesley.
Reid, J. M.(1998). The Process Of Composition (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Regent.