Final answer:
Transitional tags or words are used in an essay to link sentences and paragraphs, ensuring a smooth flow and logical organization of ideas. They make the connections between ideas clear, which is vital for reader comprehension and the essay's overall structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transitional tags, also referred to as transitional words and phrases, serve the purpose of linking sentences and paragraphs together to show how they are related. This is crucial for the flow of an essay, ensuring that ideas are organized logically and that the narrative or argument progresses smoothly.
For example, in the process of explaining steps to obtain a transcript, transitional phrases guide the reader through each step in sequence. Without them, writing can appear disjointed, making it harder for readers to follow the development of ideas or narrative elements. In narrative writing, transitions can indicate the passage of time, introduce new characters or ideas, and tie those into the larger theme or message of the piece.
Subsequently, when it comes to structuring an essay, the use of transitions such as 'moreover', 'however', and 'consequently', at the start of paragraphs or within them, alerts the reader to a change in idea or a continuation of thought. Transitions can also be more abstract, affecting elements like tone or point of view, to help organize complex information in an essay.