What is the function of transitional words in writing?

Transitional words play a crucial role in writing by guiding readers through the text. Their primary function is to connect ideas, making the relationships between concepts clearer and improving the overall flow of the writing. By using transitional words, a writer can signal shifts in time, contrast points, add information, or indicate a conclusion, helping readers to navigate the text smoothly from one point to the next. This clear progression enhances comprehension and allows readers to better follow the writer's argument or narrative.

The other options, while important in their own contexts, do not encapsulate the primary role of transitional words. Creating more complex sentences involves varied sentence structures rather than mere connection of ideas. Providing definitions focuses on clarifying terms rather than improving flow. Emphasizing key points is about highlighting particular ideas but does not inherently involve connecting various elements of writing as transitional words do. Thus, the function of transitional words is best understood as aiding in the guidance and flow of the text.