The Sentence I. Sentence Structure II. Using variety and complexity of sentence structure for greater effectiveness in writing

Basic Sentence Structure As you know, sentences are composed of a subject and a predicate. Subject: a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that tells what the sentence is about Predicate: the part of the sentence containing the verb or verb phrase that modifies the subject

Parts of sentences [subject predicate] The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. Jenny laughed. All of my family and friends will be home for Thanksgiving.

Parts of sentences Parts of sentences The subject contains simply the words expressing what the sentence is about. These words will be nouns, pronouns, or noun clauses. The predicate contains a verb or a verb phrase and compliments (direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives).

Sentences and their purposes A declarative sentence makes a statement: Skydiving is dangerous. An interrogative sentence asks a question: Is skydiving dangerous? An imperative sentence gives a command: Be careful when you skydive. An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong feeling: How I love skydiving!

In-Class Exercise In your notebook, underline the subject of the following sentences with one line. Underline the predicate with two lines. The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. In Anchorage stores they found some excellent examples of soapstone carvings. But they couldn’t find a dealer selling any of the woven wall hangings they wanted. They were very disappointed when they left Anchorage empty-handed.

Varying sentence structure Now, notice how the sentences on the previous slide form one paragraph: The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. In Anchorage stores they found some excellent examples of soapstone carvings. But they couldn’t find a dealer selling any of the woven wall hangings they wanted. They were very disappointed when they left Anchorage empty-handed. In the paragraph above, notice how the length of each sentence is consistent, providing very little variety and interest.

That is boring. monotonous, repetitive, lacking rhythm and interest

Remember, as effective writers you can change the world! SO, use strategies for sentence variation to make your writing engaging to the reader. Then, your once quixotic goals for the world can become your realistic ambitions for making the world a better place.

Let’s learn how to vary our sentence structure. I Let’s learn how to vary our sentence structure. I. Vary the rhythm by alternating short and long sentences. Again, here is the original paragraph: The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. In Anchorage stores they found some excellent examples of soapstone carvings. But they couldn’t find a dealer selling any of the woven wall hangings they wanted. They were very disappointed when they left Anchorage empty-handed. Now, here is an alternative way to write the same information. Notice how the length of the sentences varies, adding interest to the paragraph. The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art, such as soapstone carvings and wall hangings. Anchorage stores had many soapstone items available. Still, they were disappointed to learn that wall hangings, which they had especially wanted, were difficult to find. Sadly, they left empty-handed.

II. Vary sentence openings Evidence of good writing can be found in the use of variety in sentence openings. Too many sentences beginning with words such as The, It, I, My, She, Him, etc, loses effectiveness and becomes tedious for the reader. The same information can be written in many ways. Practice writing sentences with varied openings so that this skill is readily accessible to you when writing paragraphs.

II. Vary sentence openings… examples Lucy Lee studied astrophysics in college because she wanted to become an astronaut. Because she wanted to become an astronaut, Lucy Lee studied astrophysics in college. Hoping to become an astronaut, Lucy Lee undertook the necessary challenge of studying astrophysics in college. Studying astrophysics at an Ivy League university was a herculean challenge for Lucy Lee, but one that was necessary for her goal of becoming an astronaut.

II. Vary sentence openings… examples Julia requested that her mother bake strawberry cupcakes with funfetti icing for her birthday. Because strawberry cupcakes with funfetti icing are Julia’s favorite, she requested that her mother bake them for her birthday. For her birthday, Julia requested that her mother bake her favorite dessert, which is strawberry cupcakes with funfetti icing. Making a special birthday request of her mother, Julia asked for strawberry cupcakes with funfetti icing.

II. Vary sentence openings… examples Machiavelli, who was born in Italy in 1469, believed that all means were justified in governing the masses. Born in 1469, Machiavelli was an Italian writer and political figure who believed that all means were justified in governing the masses. The idea that the ends of government are justified by the means was a belief proposed by Machiavelli, a 15th century Italian writer and political figure. An unpopular belief today, the idea that all means are justified in governing the masses was first proposed by Machiavelli, a 15th century Italian political writer. The 15th century Italian writer and political figure, Machiavelli, proposed a theory of government in his writing that in some circles became stigmatized as that of a genius, but overly authoritative man.

Writing Workshop Using the original sentences you wrote for vocabulary homework, write one possible revision for each, practicing your skill of varying sentence openings. In order to practice your skill of varying sentence openings, use the original sentences from your vocabulary homework to write one possible revision for each sentence. Write one possible revision for each of your original vocabulary homework sentences.