Found on pages: in the Writer’s Reference ~S6 a,b,c,d and e. Presented by: Mr. Montoye and Miss Arend

As a writer you want to make sure you clearly make your point known. You want to express it in the subject and the verb of an independent clause. These are the words that should receive the most attention. Within longer stretches of prose, you are able to draw attention to the most important ideas by using new techniques.

I. Coordinate equal ideas; subordinate minor ideas. You have the option of choosing coordination or subordination. Coordination: Items are equal or nearly equal in importance. Subordination: Indicate that one idea is less important than another.

Coordination How do you coordinate single words or phrases? 1.Coordinating Conjunctions 2.Pair of Correlative Conjunctions To coordinate independent clauses join them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon. *Usually the semicolon is used with a transitional phrase or conjunctive adverb.

Subordination Basically, express the major idea in an independent clause and place any minor ideas in subordinate clauses or phrases. They cannot stand alone Typically begin with subordinate clauses Examples of subordinate clauses or relative pronouns: after, since, while, whose

Coordination: I made chicken parmesan for dinner, but I burnt it. I made chicken parmesan for dinner; however, we ended up ordering pizza. Subordination: I sometimes eat dessert before dinner. Especially when its chocolate cake. Unless it’s chocolate cake I usually eat my dinner before my dessert.

II. Combine Choppy Sentences Short sentence’s are used primarily to draw attention. They are used primarily for emphasis. However, too many choppy sentences affects the flow and creates a choppy style. If an idea is not important enough to stand alone try combining it with a sentence close by.

I drink milk with my lunch. I eat an apple too. My mom makes good sandwiches. I use a brown paper bag. Correct: In my brown paper bag lunch my mom makes me good sandwiches and packs me a cartoon of milk, and an apple.

III. Avoid Ineffective Coordination DO NOT use a coordinate clause if the attention should be equally shared. DO NOT use if a coordinating conjunction does not clearly signal the relation between the ideas.

It took thirty minutes to get our food at the restaurant, and the food was cold when we got it, but it was the best porter house steak I ever had. Correct: After thirty minutes, we finally got our cold food, but it was the best porter house steak I ever had.

IV. Do Not Subordinate Major Ideas Sometimes a sentence buries its major idea in subordinate construction. This cause the readers to not give the main idea enough attention. You should express the major idea in an independent clause and subordinate any minor ideas.

Gordon’s fish sticks, made in California, taste like they are freshly caught out of the ocean. Gordon’s fish sticks, taste like they are freshly caught out of the ocean. They are actually made in California.

V. Do Not Subordinate Excessively Indeed, as a writer you want to combine sentences if necessary, but be careful not to go overboard with putting subordinate ideas in. What happens is the sentence gets overloaded and collapses. Sometimes it can be restructured but usually it is best to break up the sentences.

My ice cream sundae started to topple over after the excessive toppings that I kept adding, which caused me to have to get another bowl, but it also allowed me to get a piece of cake too. Correct: My ice cream sundae started to topple over after the excessive toppings that I kept adding. It caused me to have to get another bowl; but also allowed me to get a piece of cake too.

Conclusion By using these techniques we taught you should be able to spice up your writing by trying these out. Also, these will help with the flow of your paper and emphasizing the main ideas.