1. How to Use Sentence Variety to Strengthen Your Writing

2. People normally talk and write using one boring sentence pattern: subject/verb, subject/verb, subject/verb…

3. Example: El Cielo is the most beautiful vacation spot in the world. It is located on the coast of Mexico. People arrive from many different countries to relax in luxurious surroundings. El Cielo has a great spa facility and an outstanding hotel. It is fabulous!

4. Subject/verb, subject/verb, subject/verb is suitable for informal, everyday talking to communicate because...

5. ... when people talk, their facial expressions, hand gestures, and body language “strengthen” their speech.

6. However, when you write, you need to revise to strengthen what you say!

7. Don’t be a weak writer; use a variety of sentence patterns!

8. Question: How many of my sentences should I revise? Revise about 1/2 of your sentences. (That’s about 3-4 per paragraph.)

9. Question: What are some of the best kinds of sentences to use?

10. Molly stared at the test question. She began to cry silently. Staring at the test question, Molly began to cry silently. Start with an –ing or –ed word. (Introductory Participial Phrase)

11. Using an introductory participial phrase does two things: It adds action to the start of the sentence. It helps you to combine two short sentences into one longer one. Serina was shocked at what her teacher said. She shook her head in disbelief. Shocked at what her teacher said, Serina shook her head in disbelief.

12. Use an appositive phrase. Renames something by combining two short sentences into one longer one. Martie is President of the Senior Class. She works for a local attorney. Martie, the Senior Class President, works for a local attorney.

13. Start with an infinitive phrase (“to” plus a verb) An infinitive is a verb form, which starts the sentence with action. Melek would love to go skydiving again. To go skydiving again would be Melek’s greatest dream.

14. Start with an introductory adverb clause (Adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunction: when, while, until, since, because, if, after, before, although, even though, as long as, as soon as, as though, whenever...). I finished my homework. Then I called Kyle. When I finished my homework, I called Kyle. Until I finished my homework, I could not call Kyle. After I finished my homework, I called Kyle.

15. Compound sentence: Two short sentences connected by a comma and a conjunction: and, but, or, nor, for, yet) Compound sentences turn short, choppy sentences into longer, more interesting ones. We went to Six Flags last week. It was exciting. We went to Six Flags last week,and it was exciting. We went to Six Flags last week,but it was boring.

16. Start with a prepositional phrase: from, to, with, without, of, for, about, over, under, by, in, out, up.) I can see the lake from the tree on the hill. From the tree on the hill, I can see the lake. Sitting under the tree on the hill, I can see the lake.

17. Remember, speaking and writing are two very different forms of communication. Writing is far more reflective than speaking.

18. Using a variety of sentences structures, you will become a much better writer!