Final answer:
Transitional words and phrases can help improve the flow and coherence of a piece of writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transitional words and phrases can be used to improve the flow and coherence of a piece of writing. In the given excerpt, the use of transitional words and phrases can help connect ideas and provide a smoother reading experience. Here is an example of how the excerpt could benefit from using transitions:
Maya Angelou was a famous writer, actress, and civil rights activist. Despite her difficult childhood, she became incredibly talented. For instance, her memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was the first non-fiction bestseller by an African-American woman in 1969. She also received numerous awards, such as the National Medal of Arts in 2000 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010. Additionally, Angelou wrote and delivered the poem "On the Pulse of Morning" during the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993.