VARIETY IN VARIETY IN SENTENCE SENTENCE

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

Writing with Writing with StyleStyle

TWO PATTERNSTWO PATTERNS

The Loose Sentence The Loose Sentence The Periodic Sentence The Periodic Sentence

BASIC STATEMENTSBASIC STATEMENTS

BASIC STATEMENTSBASIC STATEMENTS Bells rang.Bells rang. Love is blind.Love is blind. The cat scratched Sally.The cat scratched Sally. John gave his mother flowers.John gave his mother flowers. The teacher considered him a good The teacher considered him a good

student.student.

Every English sentence contains a basic statement. It may stand alone as Every English sentence contains a basic statement. It may stand alone as one short sentence as in the examples above, or it may be buried inside a one short sentence as in the examples above, or it may be buried inside a longer sentence. It is the kernel that you have left after you chop away longer sentence. It is the kernel that you have left after you chop away everything in a sentence except its essential meaning; it is the kernel you everything in a sentence except its essential meaning; it is the kernel you build on when you want to make a sentence longer. build on when you want to make a sentence longer.

THE LOOSE SENTENCETHE LOOSE SENTENCE

THE LOOSE SENTENCE THE LOOSE SENTENCE

Basic statement:Basic statement: Bells rang.Bells rang. Loose sentenceLoose sentence:: Bells rang, Bells rang, filling the air filling the air

with their clangor, startling pigeons into with their clangor, startling pigeons into flight from every belfry, bringing people flight from every belfry, bringing people into the streets to hear the news.into the streets to hear the news.

This sentence is a basic statement with a string of details added to it.This sentence is a basic statement with a string of details added to it.

THE LOOSE SENTENCETHE LOOSE SENTENCE

Basic statement:Basic statement: The teacher considered The teacher considered him a good student.him a good student.

Loose sentence:Loose sentence: The teacher considered The teacher considered him a good student, him a good student, steady if not inspired, steady if not inspired, willing if not eager, responsive to willing if not eager, responsive to instruction and conscientious about his instruction and conscientious about his work.work.

THE PERIODIC THE PERIODIC SENTENCESENTENCE

THE PERIODIC THE PERIODIC SENTENCE SENTENCE

Basic statement:Basic statement: John gave his mother John gave his mother flowers. flowers.

Periodic sentence:Periodic sentence: The tough one, the The tough one, the sullen kid who scoffed at any show of sullen kid who scoffed at any show of sentimentsentiment, John gave his mother flowers., John gave his mother flowers.

In this sentence, additional details are placed before the basic statement. In this sentence, additional details are placed before the basic statement. Delay, of course, is the secret weapon of the periodic sentence.Delay, of course, is the secret weapon of the periodic sentence.

THE PERIODIC THE PERIODIC SENTENCE SENTENCE

Basic statement:Basic statement: The cat scratched Sally. The cat scratched Sally. Periodic sentence:Periodic sentence: Suddenly, for no Suddenly, for no

apparent reasonapparent reason, the loveable cat , the loveable cat scratched Sally.scratched Sally.

THE PERIODIC THE PERIODIC (INTERRUPTIVE)(INTERRUPTIVE)

Basic statement:Basic statement: Love is blind. Love is blind. Periodic sentence:Periodic sentence: Love, Love, as everyone as everyone

knows except those who happen to be knows except those who happen to be afflicted with itafflicted with it, is blind., is blind.

In this sentence, additional details are added inside the basic statement:In this sentence, additional details are added inside the basic statement:

EXERCISESEXERCISES

EXERCISES EXERCISES

The moon rose. The moon rose. The man was dead. The man was dead. She liked the song. She liked the song. They had a good time. They had a good time.

Write a loose (cumulative) sentence at lest twenty Write a loose (cumulative) sentence at lest twenty words long using each of the basic statements. Do words long using each of the basic statements. Do not change the basic statement; just add to it.not change the basic statement; just add to it.

EXERCISES EXERCISES

Mary left the room. Mary left the room. Hate is based on fear. Hate is based on fear. The man was dead. The man was dead. The circus was his life. The circus was his life.

Using the following basic statements, write four Using the following basic statements, write four periodic sentences at least fifteen words long:periodic sentences at least fifteen words long:

EXERCISES EXERCISES Select four of the eight sentences you have just Select four of the eight sentences you have just written and add details that will make each one a written and add details that will make each one a combination of the loose and the periodic.combination of the loose and the periodic.

EXERCISES EXERCISES

The old man shuffled The old man shuffled out of sight. out of sight.

Expand the subject on the sentence below:Expand the subject on the sentence below:

EXERCISES EXERCISES

The girl walked across The girl walked across the playground. the playground.

The boy talked about The boy talked about fishing. fishing.

Expand the verb of each of the following sentences.Expand the verb of each of the following sentences.

EXERCISES EXERCISES

He liked the car. He liked the car. John read the book. John read the book. They listened to the They listened to the

lecture. lecture. He called the dog. He called the dog.

Add a simple appositive to the noun at the end of Add a simple appositive to the noun at the end of each sentence below:each sentence below:

EXERCISES EXERCISES Using prepositional phrases and participles, add Using prepositional phrases and participles, add detail to each of the appositives in the four detail to each of the appositives in the four sentences you have just written. Make each sentences you have just written. Make each sentence at least fifteen words long.sentence at least fifteen words long.

Parallel StructureParallel Structure

Parallel Structure means using the same Parallel Structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at three levels:can happen at three levels:

Word

Phrase

Clause

Words and PhrasesWords and Phrases

Incorrect:

Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.

Correct:

Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

More Examples: Words & More Examples: Words & PhrasesPhrases

Incorrect:

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.

Correct:

The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Examples continued:Examples continued:

Incorrect:

Angry ants, munched the marshmallows, crumbling coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across the countertop.

Correct:

Angry ants, munching marshmallows, crumbling coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across the countertop.

ClausesClauses

Parallel structure that begins with clauses must continue on with clauses.

Incorrect:

The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.

Correct:

The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game

Lists after a colonLists after a colon

Incorrect:

The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.

Correct:

The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.

Other things to watch Other things to watch for:for:

Use parallel structure with pairs of words or ideas.

Examples:

Granny’s method was tried and true

Man proposes. God disposes.

Use parallel structure on both Use parallel structure on both sides of coordinating sides of coordinating

conjunctionsconjunctions

(and, but, yet, or, nor, for, so)

Examples:

She possessed all the wizard’s charm yet none of the wizard’s insight.

Consult a doctor if your coughing persists or if your coughing worsens over the weekend.

Correct the sentences Correct the sentences with improper parallel with improper parallel

structure.structure.

Sabrina has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.

Sabrina has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.

Continued -Continued -

In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.

In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and appreciate good prose.

Continued-Continued-

Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.

Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.

Continued -Continued -

We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.

We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.

Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and he had it conveniently arranged.

Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.

The EndThe End