WaG #8 – Sentence Variety How do I vary the sentences in my writing? Adapted from work by Herring, D. Brenham Writing Room

What is sentence variety & why do I need it? using assorted sentence patterns, lengths, and rhythms gives your writing better rhythm and flow makes your writing more interesting & mature

Please look carefully at the following samples to determine what you notice about the sentence variety. A) We went to the movies. We went out to eat. We came home. We went to bed. B)We went to the movies, and then we went out to eat. After that, we came home and went to bed.

Please look carefully at the following samples to determine what you notice about the sentence variety. C) I wanted my crush to ask me to the prom so bad. It would’ve been cool if he had. Oh well. I went with someone else instead. It was pretty fun. D) I really hoped my crush would ask me to the prom. Eagerly, I waited for his call, but it never came. I went with my longtime friend instead, and we had a great time together. Sometimes things work out well even when you are hoping for something else.

How do I use sentence variety? Combine sentences using conjunctions –Two sentences: We went to the movies. We went out to dinner. Coordinating/FANBOYS – We went to the movies, and we went out to eat. Subordinating – Although we went to the movies, we also went out to dinner. Join ideas using transitions. We went to the movies, and then we went out to dinner.

How do I use sentence variety? Begin with different openers! Most simple sentences start with the noun (subject). Try something else! Begin with an adverb. –Luckily, I won the lottery last night. Begin with a prepositional phrase. –Under the desk, you’ll find your notebook. Begin with a clause. –As soon as the curtain rose, the audience applauded.

How do I use sentence variety? Join ideas using an –ing verb form. –Two sentences: She studied all night. She passed the exam. –Combined: Having studied all night, she passed the exam.

How do I use sentence variety? Join ideas using an –ed verb form. –Two sentences: The student ran through the hall cheering. The student was amazed at his grade. –Combined: Amazed at his grade, the student ran through the hall cheering.

How do I use sentence variety? Join ideas using an appositive appositive –a noun/pronoun placed after another noun/pronoun to identify, rename, or explain more about it –Two sentences: Ms. Frazee helped me with my paper. Ms. Frazee is our student teacher. –Combined: Ms. Frazee, our student teacher, helped me with my paper.

Reminders! Make sure all of your sentences are complete sentences! –subject (noun) –predicate (verb) –expresses a complete thought fragment –part of a sentence –doesn’t express a complete thought in the early evening –In the early evening, I try to finish my homework. if you play too –I’ll play the game if you play too.

WaG Quiz #8 – Friday, 11/14 Review the ways to vary the sentences in your writing! If you earn a B or better, you’ve proven that you do not need homework to review it. If you earn a C or lower, you will need to do some reteach homework for more practice.

WaG Practice Rewrite these choppy, simple sentences into something with more variety. The stands were packed for the big game. The teams took the field. The fans roared. Our team had better pitching. They had better hitters. The ninth inning ended. The score was tied. The game went into extra innings.

Better! All the stands were packed for the big championship game! When the teams took the field, the fans roared with excitement. Our team had better pitching, but they had better hitters. When the ninth inning ended, the score was tied, so the game went into extra innings.

WaG Quiz #8 Write 6-8 varied sentences about your hobbies. Combine your ideas using at least 3 of the ways we reviewed. –conjunctions –transitions –different ways to start adverbs prepositional phrase clause –-ing or –ed verb forms –appositives