Varying Sentences
Assignment: Varying Sentences
Date: March, 14th, 2012
Learning Goal: I can write using varying sentence lengths to improve my writing.
This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. I use sentences of medium length. Sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this! It is important.
Now think about the lyrics to a song that you love. How does the artist vary the sentences to make you enjoy the song?
��Buffalo Soldier by Bob Marley
Buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta:�It was a buffalo soldier in the heart of America,�stolen from Africa, brought to America:��Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.�I mean it, when I analyze the stench, �to me it make a lot of sense.�How did dreadlock rasta was buffalo soldier.
And he was taken from Africa, �brought to America.�Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.�Say it was a buffalo soldier,dreadlock rasta.�Buffalo soldier, in the heart of America.��If you know your history,�Then you would know where you coming from,�Then you wouldn’t have to ask me,�Who the heck do you think I am.
To make your writing more interesting, you should try to vary your sentences in terms of length and structure. You can make some of your sentences very, very long and drawn out. Others can be short. Good writing has rhythm. Read the two paragraphs on the next page.�
Choose the paragraph that is more effective.
#1: I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of the Minneapolis skyline from my upstairs window. I have a yellow bungalow. I can walk to the Mississippi River. I can see many boats pass under the Lake Street Bridge each day. I like the restaurants in Minneapolis. I can find wonderful food from just about every country. I don’t like the traffic in the city.
#2: I love living in the city of Minneapolis. I have a wonderful view of the entire skyline from an upstairs window in my bungalow. In addition, I can walk to the Mississippi River and see many boats pass under the Lake Street Bridge each day. I also like Minneapolis because I can find wonderful restaurants with food from just about every country; however, I don’t like the traffic in the city.
You will want to use a variety of sentence structures in your writing.
There are three types of sentences we will study:
A simple sentence has one independent clause (one subject and a verb):
Example: I live in Minneapolis.
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses that are joined together.
Example: She works in Minneapolis, but she lives in the suburbs.
Compound Sentence
You can make a compound sentence by joining two logically related independent clauses by using…
- a semicolon
- a coordinating conjunction
- a transition
Semicolon
Independent Clause; Independent Clause
I love living in the city; there are so many things to do.
Coordinating Conjunction
Independent Clause,coordinating conjunction Independent Clause
Example: He couldn’t watch the show, so he decided to tape it.
FANBOYS (Coordinating Conj.)
CAUTION!
Do NOT use a comma every time you use the words and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet. Use a comma only when the coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses.
Example:
The necklace was beautiful but expensive. (No comma)
The necklace was beautiful, but he told me the price and it was too expensive. (Use a comma)
Transitions
Independent Clause; transition, Independent Clause
Example:
I love Minneapolis; however, I hate the traffic.
Now try it on your own. Re-write your warm-up using both simple and compound sentences. See if you can find a rhythm.