Sentence Fluency By: Muriel Perez

What is it? Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language; how the writing sounds. Each sentence should have an easy flow and rhythm. They should clearly convey the meaning with good sentence structure. When you are reading something, you often look over the mistakes. This is because, even though you know that something is wrong, you understand what it is trying to say. This causes you to look over your mistakes when you read over it to yourself in your head. To avoid skipping over errors, read your work out loud. This will help you to notice your errors and be able to correct them!

How can I tell? Things to check for: 1) Your sentences vary in length (simple, compound, and complex sentences). 2)Your sentences vary in structure. For example, dialogue makes the writing sound more natural and more interesting. 3)Your sentences do not all start with the same word. When they do, the writing seems boring and one-toned. *By doing these things, it will help give your writing variety and be more interesting to the reader.

Types of sentences: Simple: One independent clause. It contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Examples: Jake love to run cross country. Compound: Contains two independent clauses. They are joined together by a comma and a coordinator or a semicolon. Example: Jake loves running, and I enjoy riding my bike. Complex: Has an independent clause joined together by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence includes a subordinator such as because, since, and after, or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. Example: When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the teacher the last page.

To have sentence fluency, your writing should have good sentence structure and clearly convey the meaning of the sentence. The first time that somebody reads it should be a breeze. The reader should not have to hunt for clues to find the meaning of the sentence. Bad Example: I just got a new bicycle for my birthday. I went for a ride. Good Example: I went for a ride on the bicycle that I just for my birthday.

Having variety is the key to having sentence fluency Having variety is the key to having sentence fluency. Always remember to vary your word choice. In other words, do not use the same exact word over and over. Instead, try finding a different word that has the same meaning and replace it. Use pronouns to replace the names of people and places. Bad Example: Mary loves to dance. Mary practices for Mary’s recital every afternoon with Mary’s favorite dance instructor. Good Example: Mary loves to dance. She practices for her recital every afternoon with her favorite dance instructor. Jenifer loves to take walks all over town. Her favorite thing to do is take long walks on the lakefront. She loves to walk because it is good exercise. Jenifer loves to take walks all over town. Her favorite thing to do is to take a long stroll on the lakefront. She loves it because it is good exercise.

Practice Quiz For this practice quiz, there will be sentences on some of the slides that either have sentence fluency or not. If you think that it does, then shout out correct. If you think that it does not, then shout out incorrect.

I stayed up late at school and was too tired the next day to even keep my eyes open during class. I got yelled at by my teacher for sleeping and was given a detention. I wish that I had done my homework sooner so that I wouldn’t have to stay after school.

Incorrect I stayed up late at school and was too tired the next day to even keep my eyes open during class. I got yelled at by my teacher for sleeping and was given a detention. I wish that I had done my homework sooner so that I wouldn’t have to stay after school. -All of the sentences start with the same word.

Jenny was late for class. She got in a lot of trouble Jenny was late for class. She got in a lot of trouble. Her teacher was very mad at her.

Incorrect Jenny was late for class. She got in a lot of trouble. Her teacher was very mad at her. -There is no variety in the length of the sentences because they are all simple sentences!

I love to play volleyball I love to play volleyball. Marisa is my best friend, and she also loves it. We have been friends since the first grade and are still very close.

Correct I love to play volleyball. Marisa is my best friend, and she also loves it. We have been friends since the first grade and are still very close.

Erika is my best friend. Erika and I have known each other since we were five years old. I love playing with Erika because we have a lot of fun together.

Incorrect Erika is my best friend. Erika and I have known each other since we were five years old. I love playing with Erika because we have a lot of fun together. -Instead, use a pronoun to replace Erika.

The other day when I rode my bike I saw my best friend Mary The other day when I rode my bike I saw my best friend Mary. We talked for a couple of minutes, but then she had to get home for dinner.

Correct The other day when I rode my bike I saw my best friend Mary. We talked for a couple of minutes, but then she had to get home for dinner.

I play the piano. My recital was fun because my family came.

Incorrect I play the piano. My recital was fun because my family came. -The reader must go back and look at the previous sentence to figure out what you are trying to say. Instead: My piano recital was fun because my family came.