Sentence Structure 101 How to sound like a better writer!

There are 6 major ways to fix a sentence  Improving weak sentences  Avoiding wordiness  Varying sentence structure  Varying sentence length  Adding supporting details  Using precise words

Weak Sentences  What is the problem with the following sentence?  Thursday was garbage collection day, so the garbage would be picked up.

The idea is repeated. Thursday was garbage collection day, so the garbage would be picked up. Fix? Thursday was garbage collection day.

Weak Sentences  What is the problem with the following sentence?  I heard a strange noise and looked outside, and the wind was so strong, and many garbage cans toppled over, and the whole block was covered with debris.

The single sentence contains too many loosely connected ideas. Divide the sentence into one or two sentences, using conjunctions such as and, but, or when to show the relationships between the ideas Fix? I looked outside when I heard a strange noise. The wind had toppled many garbage cans, and the whole block was covered with debris.

Avoiding Wordiness  What is the problem with the following sentence?  Because of the fact that there had been little snow that winter, the water level in the reservoir was low.

A simple idea is expressed in too many words. Because of the fact that there had been little snow that winter, the water level in the reservoir was low. Fix? Because of the fact that there had been little snow that winter, the water level in the reservoir was low.

Avoiding Wordiness  What is the problem with the following sentence?  The point is that young people were upset because the pool, which was a source of jobs for teenagers, had to be closed.

The sentence contains words that do not add to its meaning. The point is that young people were upset because the pool, which was a source of jobs for teenagers, had to be closed. Fix? The point is that Y oung people were upset because the pool, which was a source of jobs for teenagers, had to be closed.

Varying Sentence Structure  What is the problem with the following sentence?  The microprocessor was developed in The microprocessor is a tiny computer chip. It has had a big impact on the computer industry. Video games appeared when smaller computers became possible. Video games became popular quickly, especially among teenagers.

Too many sentences in the paragraph start the same way. The microprocessor was developed in The microprocessor is a tiny computer chip. It has had a big impact on the computer industry. Video games appeared when smaller computers became possible. Video games became popular quickly, especially among teenagers. Fix? Developed in 1971, the microprocessor is a tiny computer chip. It has had a big impact on the computer industry. Video games appeared when smaller computers became possible. Especially among teenagers, video games became popular quickly.

Varying Sentence Structure  What is the problem with the following sentence?  Video games are fun because they have realistic graphics and interesting sound effects. Winning requires certain skills. A player must have good coordination and quick reflexes; however, a player’s greatest challenge is concentration.

Too many declarative sentences are used. Add variety by rewriting one sentence as a command, question or an exclamation. Fix? Video games are fun because they have realistic graphics and interesting sound effects. What skills does a player need to win? Good coordination and quick reflexes are important; however, a player’s greatest challenge is concentration.

Now it’s your turn!  In your Grammar Book, complete Lesson 1 and 2 on Sentence Structure on a separate sheet of paper (pg 186 and 189)  Read the lesson  Answer the Practice and Apply questions (only do 1-5 if there are 10 questions)  Check your answers with the key (get the Key from Miss Hicks)  Mark incorrect answers with an X and correct answers with a star.  Turn in to the drawer.