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Last time:

We use pronouns replace regular nouns to reduce redundancy and improve efficiency.
Pronouns can be abused, however, if they are used ambiguously.
Two nouns in the same sentence might have the same pronoun. Using that pronoun in the following sentence might introduce ambiguity.
Passive voice should be avoided as a general rule. But in many cases you can use it to your advantage.

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The existential sentence

The existential sentence is one that talks about whether or not something exists. In English, the existential sentence begin with “There” + be

Can you tell the difference in meaning between these two sentences?

There is a large number of people in this auditorium.

There was a small white dog in the grass backyard

A small white dog lay in the grass backyard

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How to use the existential sentence.

We must use the existential sentence deliberately in order for it to have an effect.
A paragraph that has an excessive number of existential sentences for no reason will be tiring to read.
The existential sentence can do one of two things:

1. To present information as if everything in the sentence is a new bit of information.
2. To save the heaviest information for last; to put pressure on the sentence.

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How to use the existential sentence.

We must use the existential sentence deliberately in order for it to have an effect.
A paragraph that has an excessive number of existential sentences for no reason will be tiring to read.
The existential sentence can do one of two things:

1. To present information as if everything in the sentence is a new bit of information.
2. To save the heaviest information for last; to put pressure on the sentence.

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How to use the existential sentence.

1. To present information as if everything in the sentence is a new bit of information.

There was a curse on the kingdom.

There are a few things about this house that I want you to know.

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How to use the existential sentence.

2. To save the heaviest information for last; to put pressure on the sentence.

There was, despite the crowd’s harsh reaction, a certain amount of truth to the senator’s statement.

The senator’s statement had to it a certain amount of truth, despite the crowd’s harsh reaction.

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Scenario: Introduce the 2nd paragraph

Summary of 1st Paragraph: A Republican Kansas state senator points out to the Republican majority that their Reaganomics proposal directly caused the unemployment of millions of Kansasans. In response, the Democrats curse him out.

In between: How would we set up the topic sentence in the second paragraph to best flow from the old information of the first paragraph to the new information of the second paragraph?

Summary of 2nd Paragraph: Several nonpartisan studies revealed that the Reaganomics proposal did, in fact, accelerate outward migration, lower tax revenues, and increase in-state unemployment.

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Solution

Summary of 2nd Paragraph: Several nonpartisan studies revealed that the Reaganomics proposal did, in fact, accelerate outward migration, lower tax revenues, and increase in-state unemployment.

There was, despite the crowd’s harsh reaction, a certain amount of truth to the senator’s statement.

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The extraposed sentence

The extraposed sentence, like the existential sentence, uses a dummy word: “it”.
Example: It is always a good idea to start studying well before the exam date.
The subject is extraposed, or delayed to a later position. This is called rightward movement.
The extraposed sentence, in many cases, is key to balancing the weight of a sentence.

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Balancing the sentences!

It is beyond cruel what they are proposing to do.

What they are proposing to do to this group of animals is beyond cruel.

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Balancing the sentences!

It would be the best course of action to remain silent on these issues.

To remain silent on these issues would be the best course of action.

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Next Class: 2/20

Topic: Coherence in groups of sentences/paragraphs