Sentence variety

Sentence variety
Variety is important. If all your sentences begin in the same way, your
writing will sound predictable and boring. Sentence variety is the key to
becoming a successful writer.
There are many different ways in which you can begin a sentence.
For example, you could use some of the following:
1 Adverbs (describing a verb)
2 Pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)
3 Prepositions (on, behind, between, over, etc.)
pronoun a word used 4 Participles (-ing words)
instead of a noun, such 5 Definite or indefinite articles (the, a, an)
as I, you, it 6 Adjectives (describing words)
participles -ing words 7 Connectives (linking words)
8 Verbs (action words)

paragraph a group of
Try this
sentences about the
same idea or topic The following paragraph uses all of the beginnings mentioned above.
Add numbers (from the list above) to the paragraph to indicate how each
sentence starts.

I screamed and ran. The window had been broken. Behind me I heard
heavy breathing. Peering over my shoulder nervously, I felt the presence
of someone nearby. Cold beads of sweat began to trickle down my
forehead. Slowly, fear gripped my body. Although I knew I was being
foolish, my hands began to tremble. To run was my only option.

opinion a view about

Improving your writing style
something, which Look at the following article written by a student giving an opinion about
may not be based on footballers’ wages.
fact

I think it is unfair that footballers earn so much money. It is unjust

and scandalous. I think there should be a law that puts a limit on how
much money they can earn. I think, for example, that top footballers
shouldn’t be allowed to earn more than one million pounds a year.
I believe that a limit like this would make the game more fair and
competitive and it could stop unfair competition with clubs trying
to lure players with higher wages. I think it will help teams in lower
leagues attract better footballers and as a result they will have a
better chance of winning matches against the top teams. I also think
that by doing this we would bring football back into the real world as
many ordinary people feel that players are out of touch with their
fans. I believe it is wrong that we seem to be valuing footballers more
than doctors and nurses by paying them so much money.

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 CHAPTER 1 MECHANICS OF ENGLISH

Try this
What do you think the student could do to improve this piece of writing?
Rewrite it, thinking about how you can vary the way you start
each sentence.
When you have done this, pick out your favourite sentence and explain
your choice.
Now, using the skills you have been practising, write the rest of
the article.
Complete this answer on a separate piece of paper.

Try this
fiction writing about
imaginary events or
Here is another piece of student writing. This time, it is fiction.
people

A crash! A clatter! The sound of someone trying to keep their

voice low. Sounds of activity awoke me from my dark, silent
dreams. With my eyes wide open, my ears nailed to the floor of
my room, I listened patiently, waiting for a clue as to what was
going on. I had no idea what had caused the noise.

Does this paragraph sound boring and predictable? Explain your opinion.
Does the writer vary the beginning of the sentences? Explain how the
writer does this.
Now continue with this story by adding another four paragraphs of your
own, remembering what you have learnt so far.
Complete this answer on a separate piece of paper.

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 Different types of sentence

Try this
1 What types of sentence are these?
a The little dog barked because it couldn’t have any treats.

b It sat by its bowl.

c It whined like a baby.
d When it finally stopped barking, its owner was relieved.

e The owner took the dog outside and gave it its favourite treat.

f Peace at last!
2 How did you decide what types of sentence they are?

Using different types of sentence

Try this
Look at this piece of writing by a student.

Guilt. I never liked that feeling. The feeling that almost made
you sick to the stomach. I knew I was wrong and shouldn’t be
doing it, but I couldn’t face what was waiting for me. I just
couldn’t stay and let them do that to me. Although I had to run,
I wondered what would happen when they found me.

How many different types of sentence can you find in the piece?

Which sentence do you think has the greatest effect on the reader?
Explain your answer.

Now continue the story using a range of different types of sentence.

Complete this answer on a separate piece of paper. Write about a page.

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 CHAPTER 1 MECHANICS OF ENGLISH

You should also use different types of sentence for effect when writing on
speech a piece
of persuasive text
the non-fiction paper.
delivered to an Here is an extract from a speech defending wolves.
audience
I am here tonight to change your mind about one of the most
misunderstood and maligned animals in the world. Like us, this
animal lives in close families and loves playing and having fun. Any
idea who this creature can be? Yes, the wolf.
Evil and vicious? Not so. The wolf is a clever and loving animal,
nothing like the way it is presented in ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and
‘The Three Little Pigs’. When we were little, we all enjoyed such
stories. Now we have grown up and we can understand the truth
behind the fiction.

TOP TIPS Try this

Minor sentences
can often be used to How many different types of sentence can you find in this piece of
emphasise a point.
persuasive writing?
Sometimes it is
effective to use a very Now write another two or three paragraphs to continue the speech.
short sentence or a
one-word ‘sentence’ Remember to include different types of sentence.
after a longer one to
create dramatic effect Complete this answer on a separate piece of paper.
or to show contrast.
For example:
I think not. Check your understanding
A series of short 1 Which of these is a complex sentence? Tick (✓) one box.
sentences can also a Although he had a new phone, he was still unhappy.
add dramatic effect b He had a new phone.
and create tension or c He was still unhappy.
suspense. For example:
d How can you be unhappy with a new phone?
I came. I saw. I 2 Select the correct word to complete this complex sentence.
conquered.
Jack’s parents bought him a new car he had
passed his driving test.
– if
– because
– although
– however

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 Different types of sentence

3 Identify the main clause in this sentence. Remember that a main

main clause the part of clause is the part of the sentence that makes sense on its own.
a sentence that makes
sense on its own Although the test was difficult, Haleema hoped she would achieve
subordinate clause the
high marks.
part of a sentence that a the test was difficult
doesn’t make sense on b she would achieve high marks
its own and depends c Although the test was difficult
on the main clause d Haleema hoped she would achieve high marks
4 Identify the subordinate clause in this sentence. Remember that
a subordinate clause is the part of the sentence that doesn’t make
TOP TIPS sense on its own and depends on the main clause.
Remember that a Yusuf was disappointed when he found out the train had
main clause can form already left.
a complete sentence
a when he found out the train had already left
standing alone.
However, a
b Yusuf was disappointed
subordinate clause c already left
cannot stand alone. It d the train had already left
is often introduced by 5 Which of these is not a complex sentence?
a conjunction, and is a My favourite subjects are maths and physics.
dependent on a main b Although I am good at maths, I hate physics.
clause (for example, c I enjoy maths because I am good at it.
‘when it rang’ in ‘She d Maths is my favourite subject, even though I don’t always
answered the phone achieve high marks.
when it rang.’).

conjunction a joining
word (a type of
connective), such as
however, because,
and

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