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Brannan: A Writer's Workshop
A Writer's Workshop: Crafting Paragraphs, Building Essays
Bob Brannan, Johnson County Community College
Creating Sentence Variety

Summary

1.

Variety in sentences depends primarily on length, types and beginnings.

2.

Sentences should be a mix of lengths: short, medium and long. Three or four sentences in a row may be roughly the same length, but the next one should be shorter or longer.

3.

Sentences can be composed with a subject and verb on both sides of a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, for, nor, yet): I like 7-Up, and I drink a quart a day.

4.

Sentences may contain several parts connected by and, such as a compound subject (Jim and I both like 7-Up), or two verbs (I like 7-Up and drink a quart a day).

5.

Sentences may subordinate ideas in many ways, including: adjective clauses (which are often introduced by who, which or that), essential (that and who), and non-essential (which and who).

6.

Sentences may subordinate information through adverb clauses: Because I was late, I missed the last ferry.

7.

Sentences may begin with transitional words (first, second, however, next) and adverbs (ly words: happily).

8.

Question, command, and exclamation sentences can create sentence variety.

9.

Phrases create sentence variety and can be especially useful in shaping beginnings.
  1. Prepositional phrase: In the drawer next to the file cabinet, you will find the hammer.
  2. Participal (present): Slipping on the wet tile, Maria wrenched her back.
  3. Participal phrase: Thrilled by his good fortune, Dale carried the trophy home.
  4. Absolute (present): The train leaving ahead of schedule, Vito missed his ride.
  5. Absolute (past): Their foundations weakened, the buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
  6. Infinitive: To run a marathon, Keith had to train for a year.
  7. Appositive: Beautiful but aggressive birds, blue jays swarmed my feeders last winter.

10.

Inverting sentences can create variety and emphasis: In the deep, cold water of Monterey Bay often lurk great white sharks.








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