Writing better sentences In the writing question (section C), you will be assessed on different aspects of the way you write. One way of achieving a higher grade is to make sure you are writing well constructed sentences. You need to make your sentences interesting by varying the type, altering the length and using a variety of different starts.

There are three different types of sentences. SIMPLE A simple sentence contains only one idea. It has one clause. This is a main clause because it makes complete sense by itself. e.g. The bus was very late. COMPOUND A compound sentence has two or more main clauses joined by a conjunction ( a word like: and, because, but, as, which). e.g. The bus was very late and the passengers were getting annoyed. Main clause – can stand by itself Main clause – can stand by itself

e.g. The bus was very late, making the passengers very angry. 3. COMPLEX A complex sentence has a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses, added to give extra information. Subordinate clauses do not make complete sense on their own; they depend on the main clause. e.g. The bus was very late, making the passengers very angry. Main clause – can stand by itself Subordinate clause – needs the main clause to make it make sense e.g. The bus, having broken down, was very late, making the passenger very angry. When you write you need to use a mixture of these three sentence types to make your work interesting.

As well as using the three different sentence types there are lots of other ways you can make your sentences more interesting. Think about adding descriptive detail and carefully choosing your vocabulary (words) for instance. Look at these and notice how each one is an improvement on the one before it because of the choice of language.  The lights hanging from the ceiling shine, lighting up the scene. The lights suspended from the ceiling flicker, illuminating the room. The lights suspended precariously from the ceiling flicker faintly, illuminating the gloomy room.

Everyone ran for shelter when the rain started. You could also think about the positioning of the subordinate clause in complex sentences. Look at where the subordinate clauses are in these sentences. Everyone ran for shelter when the rain started. When the rain started, everyone ran for shelter. Notice the use of commas in these last two sentences. Everyone, including the vicar, ran for shelter.

You could also think about the type of word used to start your sentence. You don’t always have to begin sentences with the subject (A tree . . . The lights . . . Susan . . . He . . .). Variety is important so. Look at these. Begin some with a verb ending in –ing: Walking through the dark streets, I suddenly felt frightened. Begin some with a verb ending in –ed: Scattered over the slopes were quaint old houses. Begin some with an adverb: Slowly, moving inch by inch, the tractor made its way across the field. Begin some with an adjective: Beautiful butterflies fluttered across the purple moor. Begin some with the joining word: Until that moment I hadn’t realised what true beauty was. Begin some with a preposition: Beneath the distant trees stood a small cottage.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with sentences. Using effective punctuation will also help you get a better grade. Look at these sentences and notice where the punctuation has been used. Before starting the answer, I studied the question carefully. My talk, which lasted ten minutes, was well received. Opening my results, I smiled with relief. However, this is not always true. I have revised English, history, science and maths. He read through his answers, corrected some mistakes and handed his paper in. The house was derelict; it had stood empty for years. The things you will need for your exam are: pen, pencil, ruler, rubber and calculator. Don’t be afraid to experiment with sentences.