SENTENCE STYLE : AFFECTING THE WAY WE INTERPRET A WRITERS VOICE

SIMPLE SENTENCES: Contain one independent clause. Examples: The goalie waved to his fans. My mom bought a dog. The exam was very difficult.

COMPOUND SENTENCES: Contain 2 independent clauses. Also: The independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) or a semicolon. Examples: The goalie bowed to his fans, but he gave no autographs. She got sick, so we did not go to the movie. The exam was very difficult, and the teacher didnt even give us a study guide.

COMPLEX SENTENCES: Contain an independent clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses. Also: A complex sentence uses a subordinator (because, since, after, although, or when) or a relative pronoun (that, who, or which) within the sentence. Examples: Because the goalie was tired, he went straight to the locker room. When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the teacher the last page. I went to the music festival which was on Elm Street.

COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES: Contain 2 or more independent clauses and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses. Examples: Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with. We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong. The dog lived in the backyard, but the cat, who knew he was superior, lived inside the house.

CUMULATIVE (LOOSE) SENTENCES: Complete the main idea at the beginning of the sentence and follow it with a series of subordinate clauses that gather details about a person, place, event, or idea. Examples: We reached New York that morning after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences, tired but exhilarated, full of stories to tell our friends and neighbors. "He dipped his hands in the solution and shook them--a quick shake, fingers down, like the fingers of a pianist above the keys. Education has no equal in opening minds, instilling values, and creating opportunities.

PERIODIC SENTENCES: Complete the main idea at the end of the sentence. This main idea is preceded by a series of subordinate clauses that gather details about a person, place, event, or idea. Examples: That morning, after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences, we reached New York. "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

BALANCED SENTENCES: Contain phrases or clauses that balance each other by virtue of their parallel structure, meaning, or length. Examples: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... "But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate--we cannot consecrate--we cannot hallow--this ground..." and "....--that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SENTENCE STYLE: - It is not so much that one kind of sentence is better than another. Rather, a good writer uses the right tool for the right job and doesn't use the same tool all the time. Different types of sentences have different effects on the readers interpretation, so skilled writers can craft sentences to achieve his/her purpose. - It does no good to be overly conscious of these sentence types in the first draft of your essay, but as you review your drafts, keep in mind that too many sentences of any one kind especially too many simple sentences will be tedious for your reader. On the other hand, there is nothing like a brief sentence to drive home a point after a lengthy, rambling sentence. Try spicing up your prose by combining sentences into different structures and using various sentence styles.