How to Use Sentence Variety to “Sweeten Up” Your Writing

People normally talk and write using one boring sentence pattern: subject/verb subject/verb subject/verb . . .

Example: I have an adorable dog named Rosa Example: I have an adorable dog named Rosa. She is a little brown dachshund with beautiful eyes. Rosa sleeps on the couch most of the day. I throw her toy for her every day after school. My little dog is the cutest pet in the entire world!

Subject/verb, subject/verb, subject/verb is suitable for informal, everyday talking to communicate because . . .

. . . when you are talking, your facial expressions, hand gestures, and body language “sweeten up” your speech.

However, when you write, you need to revise to “sweeten up” what you say!

All writers -- even professional writers -- must use the revision stage of the writing process to vary their sentence patterns.

Use a variety of sentence patterns!

Problem: I can’t think of ways to revise my boring subject/verb sentences into fancy ones.

Solution: Learn just a few different “fancy” sentence structures Solution: Learn just a few different “fancy” sentence structures. After you finish a paragraph (or your entire paper), revise some of your sentences.

Question: How many of my sentences should I revise. All of them Question: How many of my sentences should I revise? All of them? A few of them? One in each paragraph? What?

Answer: Start by revising about 1/2 of your sentences Answer: Start by revising about 1/2 of your sentences. (That’s about 2-3 per paragraph.) Then reread your paper. Revise some more if you think it would improve your paper.

Question: What are some of the best kinds of sentences to use?

Start with an –ing or –ed word Start with an –ing or –ed word. (Introductory Phrase) Since –ing and –ed are verb endings, this sentence pattern starts with action!

Sam looked down the dark hallway Sam looked down the dark hallway. He tried to imagine what could be hiding there.(old) Looking down the dark hallway, Sam tried to imagine what could be hiding there.(new)

Katie was amazed at the size of the crocodile Katie was amazed at the size of the crocodile. She tiptoed away from the edge of the river.(old) Amazed at the size of the crocodile, Katie tiptoed away from the edge of the river. (new)

Using an introductory phrase does two things: 1 Using an introductory phrase does two things: 1. It “actions up” the start of the sentence. 2. It helps you to combine two short sentences into one longer one.

Use an appositive phrase Use an appositive phrase. (Renames something) This sentence pattern helps you to combine two short sentences into one longer one.

Allie is the captain of the volleyball team. She is the best player Allie is the captain of the volleyball team. She is the best player. Allie, the captain of the volleyball team, is the school’s best player.

Start with an infinitive phrase (“to” plus a verb) Since an infinitive is a verb form, this sentence start is energetic and full of action.

Colin would love to go kayaking in Colorado Colin would love to go kayaking in Colorado. To go kayaking in Colorado would be Colin’s greatest dream.

Start with a dependent clause when, while, until, since, because, if, after, before, although, even though, as long as, as soon as, as though, whenever . . .).

I finished my homework. Then I called Kelly I finished my homework. Then I called Kelly. When I finished my homework, I called Kelly. Until I finished my homework, I could not call Kelly.

As soon as I finished my homework,. After I finished my homework, As soon as I finished my homework, . . . After I finished my homework, . . . Since I had not finished my homework, . . . Because I had not finished my homework, . . .

Compound sentence (Two short sentences connected by a comma and a conjunction: and, but, or, nor, for, yet) Compound sentences turn short, choppy sentences into longer, more interesting ones.

We went to a movie last night. It was exciting We went to a movie last night. It was exciting. We went to a movie last night, and it was exciting. We went to a movie last night, but it was boring.

Remember, speaking and writing are two very different forms of communication.

Writing is far more reflective than speaking.

Take the time to look at how you started each of your sentences Take the time to look at how you started each of your sentences. Then, take the time to revise.

Using a variety of sentences structures, you will become a much better writer! How sweet!