Varying Sent Struct2-1

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Varying Sentence Structure

References

© 2001 by Ruth Luman

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Adding Variety to Sentence Structure

To make your writing more interesting,you should try to vary your sentences interms of length and structure. You can

make some of your sentences long andothers short. Read the two paragraphson the next page.

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Two ParagraphsRead the paragraphs below. Choose the

paragraph that is more effective.I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of theentire city. I have an apartment. I can see the GoldenGate Bridge. I can see many cargo ships pass under thebridge each day. I like the restaurants in San Francisco. I 

can find wonderful food from just about every country. I don¶t like the traffic in the city.

I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have awonderful view of the entire city from my apartmentwindow. In addition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridge

under which many cargo ships pass each day. I also likeSan Francisco because I can find wonderful restaurantswith food from just about every country; however, I don¶tlike the traffic in the city.

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How do you vary sentence structure?

You will want to use a variety of sentence structures in your writing.There are three types of sentences wewill study in this lesson:

- Simple Sentence

- Compound Sentence

- Complex Sentence

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The Simple Sentence

A simple sentence has one independent clause (one subject and a verb):

I live in San Francisco.

Subject

Verb

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Compound Sentence

A compound sentence contains twoindependent clauses that are joinedtogether.

She works in the city, but she lives in the suburbs.

Independent

Clause

Independent

Clause

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Compound Sentence

You can make a compound sentenceby joining two logically relatedindependent clauses by using«

- a semicolon

- a coordinating conjunction

- a transition

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Using a Semicolon

Independent Clause ; Independent Clause

I love living in the city ; there are so many things to do.

Independent

Clause

Independent

Clause

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Using a Coordinating Conjunction

Independent Clause ,coordinating conjunction Independent Clause

He couldn¶t watch the show , so he decided to

tape it.

Independent

Clause

Independent

Clause

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Coordinating Conjunctions

Logical Relationship CoordinatingConjunction

Addition And 

Contrast But, yet 

Choice Or, nor 

Cause For Result So

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FANBOYS

For F

And A

Nor N

But B

Or O

Yet Y

So S

Another

way to remember these is«

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CAUTION!Do NOT use a comma every time you usethe words and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet .Use a comma only when the coordinatingconjunction joins two independent clauses.

Independent

ClauseNo comma- not an 

independent clause

The necklace was beautiful but expensive.

Simple Sentence

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Using a Transition

Independent Clause ; transition , Independent Clause

I love San Francisco ; however, I hate the traffic.

Independent

Clause

Independent

Clause

Click here to see lists of transitions.

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John cannot set up his typewriter

because the wall has no outlet.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains at least oneindependent clause and one dependentclause.

Independent Clause

Dependent ClauseSubordinating 

Con junction

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Example- Complex Sentence

A complex sentence contains at least oneindependent clause and one dependentclause.

She will go to school in the city

until she finds a job.

Independent Clause

Dependent ClauseSubordinating 

Con junction

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When I first moved to the city,

I was afraid to drive the steep and narrow streets.

Complex Sentences

Use a comma after a dependent clause if itbegins the sentence.

Subordinating Con junction

Independent

Clause

Use a comma if 

the dependent

clause is the first

part of the

sentence.

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Practice ExercisesPractice Exercises

Now you are ready to practice what you¶ve learned. Clickthe link below to return to Unit D. Print and complete thePractice Exercise on adding sentence structure variety toyour writing. Check your answers with a tutor.

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Correct!

Excellent! This sentence reads more smoothlybecause it has more sentence structure variety.

I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have a wonderfulview of the entire city from my apartment window. Inaddition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridge under whichmany cargo ships pass each day. I also like San Franciscobecause I can find wonderful restaurants with food from just

about every country; however, I don¶t like the traffic in thecity.

Simple Sentences

Compound/ComplexSentence

Complex Sentence

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I¶m Sorry!

These sentence do not read as smoothly. 

These sentences contain no sentence variety. 

Simple Sentences

I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of theentire city. I have an apartment. I can see the GoldenGate Bridge. I can see many cargo ships pass under thebridge each day. I like the restaurants in San Francisco. I can find wonderful food from just about every country. I don¶t like the traffic in the city.

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Relationship Transition

Addition Moreover

Furthermore

In addition

besides

Reinforcement/Emphasis Indeed

In fact

Contrast However On the contrary

In contrast On the other hand

Result or Effect Consequently Accordingly

Thus Hence

Therefore As a result

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Reinforcement/Emphasis Indeed

In fact

Exemplification For example

For instance

In particular

Exemplification For example

For instance

In particular

Time Meanwhile (at the same time)

Subsequently (after)

Thereafter (after)

Relationship Transition

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References PowerPoint Presentation by Ruth Luman:

Modesto Junior College.

This project incorporates portions of copyrighted works. These items are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the educational 

fair use guidelines. They are restricted fromfurther use.