Variety in structure & length

Why use variety in your sentences? Sentence variety is necessary for a number of reasons: Sentence variety makes your writing more interesting to read Sentence variety adds style & liveliness to your writing Sentence variety will help develop your writing skills

4 Basic Sentence Structures Simple: 1 independent clause; can have multiple phrases Complex: 1 independent clause and at least 1 dependent clause; can have multiple phrases Compound: 2 or more independent clauses; can have multiple phrases Compound: Complex: 2 or more independent clauses; 1 or more dependent clauses; can have multiple phrases

Elements of sentences Independent Clause: has a subject & verb; expresses a complete thought; can stand alone as a sentence. Dependent Clause: has a subject & verb; does not express a complete thought; cannot stand alone as a sentence. Phrase: group of related word functioning as a single unit; does not have a subject and / or verb; does not express a complete thought; cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Examples Simple: The lonely young girl stood dejectedly in the corner of the classroom. Complex: While others chatted amiably around her, the girl remained silent and withdrawn. Compound: The room was crowded and noisy, but she felt abandoned and alone. Compound-Complex: Although she knew they didn’t mean to ignore her, she still couldn’t help but feel left out; it was as if she was completely invisible to her classmates.

Prepositional Phrases A prepositional phrase is a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun known as the object of the preposition. Prepositional phrases usually indicate location, direction, or association between elements in a sentence. Example: Mrs. Custer organizes all the novels on her bookshelf.

Participial Phrases A participle is an –ing verb that is used as an adjective. Example: The singing girl created a commotion in the hallway. A participial phrase is a group of words that begins with a participle and functions together as an adjective. Example: Sitting quietly in her desk, Katrina concentrated on the problem her math teacher had just assigned.

Gerund Phrases A gerund is an –ing verb that functions as a noun. Example: Swimming is my favorite form of exercise. A gerund phrase is a group of words that begins with a gerund and functions together as a noun. Example: Running five miles is difficult for most people.

Infinitive Phrases An infinitive is a verb that is preceded by the word “to”. Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Example: I am excited to go to the beach An infinitive phrase is a group of words that begins with an infinitive and functions together as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Example: Over the summer, I trained to run a marathon.

Appositives An appositive is a word or group of words placed close to a noun to further identify or provide more information about that noun. Example: My favorite subject, English, includes the study of different literary genres. Appositives can be either essential or nonessential. Essential appositives are necessary to make the meaning of the sentence clear. Nonessential appositives are not necessary but provide extra information.

Tips for adding variety to boring sentences Sentence Patterns

Six Sentence Patterns to Give Your Writing Liveliness & Variety Double adjective opening “-ing” (participial phrases) beginning or end “-ly” (adverbial) opening Informative interrupters (appositives) Parallel Structure Dependent clauses

Double Adjective Openings Tall, handsome lifeguards flirt wildly with the pretty girls. Rickety and dilapidated, the old schoolhouse didn’t stand a chance in an earthquake.

Your Turn:

“-ing” (participial phrase) at beginning Running like the wind, Forrest Gump made national headline news. Saving the best for last, Lisa finally ate her Reese’s peanut butter cup.

Your Turn:

“-ing” (participial phrase) at end He trudged along the hot desert for days, wishing he had brought more water. Sandy gave the homeless man all the money she had, hoping that her small act of kindness might bring him some comfort.

Your Turn:

“-ly” (adverbial) at beginning Cheerfully, she answered the phone for her mother. Slowly opening the door, the servant tried not to wake his master.

Your Turn:

Informative Interrupters (appositives) The fish, a slimy mass of flesh, felt the alligator’s giant teeth sink into him as he struggled to swim away. The child, face covered with chocolate doughnut, asked his mother if he could have some milk.

Your Turn:

Parallel Structure He goes out onto the baseball field, spins around second base, and looks back at the academy. Choosing a Christmas tree, putting up Christmas lights, and baking Christmas cookies are all included in my December traditions.

Your Turn:

Dependent Clauses Because it rained, the garden party was postponed. Since the road construction is complete, Jim can make it home in only ten minutes.

Your Turn: