Sentence Fluency Vary? Very Important!

Sentence Fluency Is the Rhythm and flow of the writing Is the Rhythm and flow of the writing

Does Your Writing Have rhythmic patterns Have rhythmic patterns Have easy-on-the-ear flow Have easy-on-the-ear flow Seem easy to read aloud Seem easy to read aloud Have variety Have variety Sounds natural Sounds natural

If so…… Then it has ‘Sentence Fluency’ Then it has ‘Sentence Fluency’

Varying Sentence Length Writing needs variety Writing needs variety Sentence length is one area where this works Sentence length is one area where this works Sentences all the same length is boring Sentences all the same length is boring The result – your reader falls asleep The result – your reader falls asleep Varying length makes reading more pleasant Varying length makes reading more pleasant

Track the Fluency Read excerpt on page 80, ‘Into Thin Air’ Read excerpt on page 80, ‘Into Thin Air’ Complete – ‘Your Response,’ page 81 Complete – ‘Your Response,’ page 81

What Do the Numbers Say? No 2 sentences are the same length No 2 sentences are the same length This variety gave the writing an interesting rhythm and flow This variety gave the writing an interesting rhythm and flow A clear main idea, strong word choice and sentences of varying lengths all work together to keep the reader’s attention A clear main idea, strong word choice and sentences of varying lengths all work together to keep the reader’s attention

Your Turn Read ‘ TV Time’ on page 82 Read ‘ TV Time’ on page 82 Complete, ‘You Do the Math’ Complete, ‘You Do the Math’

You Do the Math Number of sentences = 16 Number of sentences = 16 Number of words in each sentence = Number of words in each sentence = 8, 8, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 8, 8, 5, 7, 7, 8, 8, 7, 7 Revision strategies = Revision strategies = - Combining sentences - Rewriting sentences so they begin in different ways - Shortening some sentences - Eliminating sentences that aren’t needed - Adding a new sentence to add detail and add variety

Putting the Strategies to Work Read ‘TV Time’ once again Read ‘TV Time’ once again Your revision goal for this piece is to vary sentence length to improve fluency Your revision goal for this piece is to vary sentence length to improve fluency Mark the original passage first as you think through your revision Mark the original passage first as you think through your revision Rewrite your revision in the space provided on page 83 Rewrite your revision in the space provided on page 83 Answer ‘AWriter’s Question’ Answer ‘AWriter’s Question’

Look at ‘Best Big Cove Experience’ You should have revised for sentence combining You should have revised for sentence combining Now look at your sentence length Now look at your sentence length Find out: Find out: - How many sentences? - The number of words in each sentence?

Homework Revise for fluency using the sentence length strategy Revise for fluency using the sentence length strategy Rewrite your piece (it may be typed) Rewrite your piece (it may be typed) Place ‘Draft #3’ on top of piece Place ‘Draft #3’ on top of piece Due Day 2 Due Day 2

Questions to consider Is my story easy to read? Is my story easy to read? Do my sentences begin in different ways? Do my sentences begin in different ways? Did I use some long and some short sentences? Did I use some long and some short sentences? Does my paper sound smooth as I read it aloud? Does my paper sound smooth as I read it aloud?

How to get a “WOW” Paper! My sentences are clear, varied, and a treat to read aloud!

So…. Go ahead-read it aloud. No rehearsal necessary! Go ahead-read it aloud. No rehearsal necessary! Sentence variety is my middle name. Sentence variety is my middle name. Deadwood has been cut. Deadwood has been cut. Smooth as a ski run in December. Smooth as a ski run in December.

How to get an “OK” Paper! My sentences are clear and readable

Pretty smooth and natural with just a bump or two. Pretty smooth and natural with just a bump or two. Some sentences could merge. Some need to be cut in two. Some sentences could merge. Some need to be cut in two. A little deadwood-but it doesn’t bury the good ideas! A little deadwood-but it doesn’t bury the good ideas! Yeah, I got into a rut with those sentence beginnings. Yeah, I got into a rut with those sentence beginnings.

How to get a “So-So” Paper! I have to admit, it’s a challenge to read aloud

You might have to stop or re-read to make sense of this. You might have to stop or re-read to make sense of this. It’s hard to tell where one sentence stops and the next begins. It’s hard to tell where one sentence stops and the next begins. Bumpity, bump, bump, bump…. Bumpity, bump, bump, bump….

Activity Tell a story or explain something aloud to a partner before you try to write it. Ask your partner to write down the beginning of each sentence as you speak. Look at your list when you are done, and discuss with your partner how you could improve your writing.

If this describes your writing… Varied and purposeful beginnings, powerful, graceful, from long and stretchy to short and snappy, smooth connections, natural dialogue, and delightful to read aloud Varied and purposeful beginnings, powerful, graceful, from long and stretchy to short and snappy, smooth connections, natural dialogue, and delightful to read aloud Then you have fabulous SENTENCE FLUENCY!