1. You can improve the standard of your writing by varying the lengths of your sentences.

2. Short sentences are used for panic, danger, tension or to make something stand out. She stopped, stunned. Would he dare to jump? Then he fell.

3. Long sentences are used for calmness, description or linking ideas. When Jo first saw the cottage, she noticed the chipped tiles on the roof, the paint peeling from the panes, the cracks in the door and the broken paving slabs on the path.

4. Try to start your sentences in different ways; this will improve your writing.

5. Begin with a place. In the shop there were many sweets to choose from.

6. Begin with a time. Yesterday we went to Brighton.

7. Begin with an adverb. Quickly, we ran for the bus.

8. Begin with a question. Can you spell these words? Necessary, disappear, beginning, definitely and sentence.

9. Begin with a time clause. After he had finished his homework, Jimmy watched Eastenders on TV.

10. Begin with a preposition. At the top of the stairs, Detective Weetman found the murder weapon.

11. Begin with a phrase. With her heart in her mouth, Jolene entered the dark, old garage.

12. Begin with a verb. Walking into the room, the teacher had a broad smile on her face.

13. Begin with a reason. Because Max was frightened, I had to enter the cellar first.

14. Begin with an adjective. Frightened and anxious, Henry crept down the dark staircase.

15. Begin with a verb and an adverb. Walking cheerfully into the room, the student smiled at the teacher.

16. It is effective to save the main point until the end of the sentence. As she took the spade, trowel and the wheelbarrow to the bottom of the garden, the diamond ring fell from her pocket and into the long grass, where it stayed for 50 years.

17. You can improve the standard of your writing by varying the lengths of your sentences. Short sentences are used for panic, danger, tension or to make something stand out. Long sentences are used for calmness, description or linking ideas. Try to start your sentences in different ways; this will improve your writing. Begin with a verb and an adverb. Begin with an adjective. Begin with a verb. Begin with a question. Begin with an adverb. Begin with a place. Begin with a time.