Sentence variation

VARY THE RHYTHM BY ALTERNATING SHORT AND LONG SENTENCES.

Several sentences of the same length can make for bland writing. Example: The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. In Anchorage stores they found some excellent examples of soapstone carvings. But they couldn't find a dealer selling any of the woven wall hangings they wanted. They were very disappointed when they left Anchorage empty-handed. Revision: The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art, such as soapstone carvings and wall hangings. Anchorage stores had many soapstone items available. Still, they were disappointed to learn that wall hangings, which they had especially wanted, were difficult to find. Sadly, they left empty-handed.

VARY SENTENCE OPENINGS.

If too many sentences start with the same word, especially "The," "It," "This," or "These," prose can grow tedious for readers, so changing opening words and phrases can be refreshing. Example: The biggest coincidence that day happened when David and I ended up sitting next to each other at the Super Bowl. Possible Revisions: Coincidentally, David and I ended up sitting right next to each other at the Super Bowl. In an amazing coincidence, David and I ended up sitting next to each other at the Super Bowl. Sitting next to David at the Super Bowl was a tremendous coincidence. (Notice that different beginnings can alter not only the structure but also the emphasis of the sentence. They may also require rephrasing in sentences before or after this one, meaning that one change could lead to an abundance of sentence variety.)

USE A VARIETY OF SENTENCE TYPES

1. Simple sentence: 1 independent clause. 2. Compound sentence: multiple independent clauses (but no dependent clauses). 3. Complex sentence: 1 independent clause and at least 1 dependent clause. 4. Complex-compound sentence: multiple independent clauses and at least 1 dependent clause.

Sentence variation
SENTENCE TYPES
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE A clause that has a subject and a verb and can stand alone; a complete sentence. DEPENDENT CLAUSE A clause that has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone; an incomplete sentence. SIMPLE Composed of 1 independent clause. Road construction can be inconvenient. COMPOUND Join 2 independent clauses by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, so). Road construction can be inconvenient, but it is necessary. Join 2 independent clauses by a colon when you wish to emphasize the second clause. Road construction in Dallas has hindered travel around town: parts of Main, Fifth, and West Street are closed during the construction. Join 2 independent clauses by a semicolon when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis. Road construction in Dallas has hindered travel around town; streets have become covered with bulldozers, trucks, and cones.

COMPLEX Composed of 1 or more dependent clause(s) and 1 or more independent clause(s). Because road construction has hindered travel around town, many people have opted to ride bicycles or walk to work. Many people have opted to ride bicycles or walk to work because road construction has hindered travel around town. COMPOUND-COMPLEX Composed of 1 or more dependent clause(s) and 2 or more independent clauses. Whenever it is possible, you should filter your water: filtered water is cleaner and tastes better. When it is filtered, water is cleaner and tastes better; all things considered, it is better for you.

Sentence variation
FOR SHORT, CHOPPY SENTENCES
sentences with conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, yet, for, so.

sentences through subordination: 2 related sentences to each other, so that one carries the main idea and the other is no longer a complete sentences. i.e. after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, rather than, since, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, wherever, whether, which, while.

1 sentence inside the other using a clause starting with one of the relative pronouns: which, who, whoever, whom, that, whose.

: about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, as, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, near, next to, of, off, on, out, over, post, to, under, until, up, with Ex: The university has been facing pressure to cut its budget. It has eliminated funding for important programs. (2 independent clauses) Revision: Under pressure to cut its budget, the university has eliminated funding for important programs. (prepositional phrase, independent clause)

: After, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whenever, and while Ex: The room fell silent when the TV newscaster reported the story of the earthquake. Revision: When the TV newscaster reported the story of the earthquake, the room fell silent.