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Varying Sentence Structure
References 2001 by Ruth Luman
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Adding Variety to Sentence Structure
To make your writing more interesting,you should try to vary your sentences interms of length and structure. You canmake some of your sentences long andothers short. Read the two paragraphson the next page.
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Two ParagraphsRead the paragraphs below. Choose the
paragraph that is more effective.I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of theentire city. I have an apartment. I can see the GoldenGate Bridge. I can see many cargo ships pass under thebridge each day. I like the restaurants in San Francisco. I
can find wonderful food from just about every country. Idont like the traffic in the city.
I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have awonderful view of the entire city from my apartmentwindow. In addition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridge
under which many cargo ships pass each day. I also likeSan Francisco because I can find wonderful restaurantswith food from just about every country; however, I dontlike the traffic in the city.
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How do you vary sentence structure?
You will want to use a variety of
sentence structures in your writing.There are three types of sentences wewill study in this lesson:
- Simple Sentence
- Compound Sentence
- Complex Sentence
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The Simple Sentence
A simple sentence has one independentclause(one subject and a verb):
I live in San Francisco.
Subject
Verb
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Compound Sentence
A compound sentencecontains twoindependent clauses that are joinedtogether.
She works in the city, but she lives in the suburbs.
Independent
Clause
Independent
Clause
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Compound Sentence
You can make a compound sentenceby joining two logically relatedindependent clauses by using
- a semicolon
- a coordinating conjunction
- a transition
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Using a Semicolon
Independent Clause; Independent Clause
I love living in the city ; there are so many things to do.
IndependentClause
IndependentClause
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Using a Coordinating Conjunction
Independent Clause,coordinating conjunction Independent Clause
He couldnt watch the show , so he decided to
tape it.
Independent
Clause
Independent
Clause
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Coordinating Conjunctions
Logical Relationship CoordinatingConjunction
Addition And
Contrast But, yet
Choice Or, nor
Cause ForResult So
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FANBOYS
For F
And A
Nor N But B
Or O
Yet Y So S
Another way to remember these is
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CAUTION!Do NOTuse a comma every time you use
the words and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet.Use a comma only when the coordinatingconjunction joins two independent clauses.
IndependentClause
No comma- not an
independent clause
The necklace was beautiful but expensive.Simple Sentence
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Using a Transition
Independent Clause;transition ,Independent Clause
I love San Francisco ; however, I hate the traffic.
IndependentClause
IndependentClause
Click here to see lists oftransitions.
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John cannot set up his typewriter
because the wall has no outlet.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentencecontains at least one
independent clause and one dependentclause.
Independent Clause
Dependent ClauseSubordinating
Conjunction
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Example- Complex Sentence
A complex sentencecontains at least oneindependent clause and one dependentclause.
She will go to school in the city
until she finds a job.
Independent Clause
Dependent ClauseSubordinating
Conjunction
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When I first moved to the city,
I was afraid to drive the steep and narrow streets.
Complex Sentences
Use a comma after a dependent clause if it
begins the sentence.
Subordinating
Conjunction
Independent
Clause
Use a comma if
the dependentclause is the first
part of the
sentence.
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Practice Exercises
Now you are ready to practice what youve learned. Clickthe link below to return to Unit D. Print and complete thePractice Exercise on adding sentence structure variety toyour writing. Check your answers with a tutor.
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Relationship Transition
Addition Moreover
Furthermore
In addition
besides
Reinforcement/Emphasis IndeedIn fact
Contrast However On the contrary
In contrast On the other hand
Result or Effect Consequently Accordingly
Thus Hence
Therefore As a result
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Reinforcement/Emphasis Indeed
In fact
Exemplification For example
For instance
In particular
Exemplification For example
For instanceIn particular
Time Meanwhile (at the same time)
Subsequently (after)
Thereafter (after)
Relationship Transition
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References
PowerPoint Presentation by Ruth Luman:Modesto Junior College.
This project incorporates portions of copyrightedworks. These items are included under the fairuse exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law andhave been prepared according to the educational
fair use guidelines. They are restricted fromfurther use.
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