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Writing Sentences Workshop
Writing Sentences Workshop
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this workshops you will be able to: Name the parts of a sentence Describe four types of sentences Write a simple sentence Write a compound sentence Describe, identify, fix a sentence fragment
What is a sentence?
A series of words that express a complete thought or core idea (also called main thought, controlling idea, main or independent clause)
The SUBJECT acts who or what is doing something. The VERB is the action or state of being tells what the subject does, thinks, or feels. The OBJECT receives the action answer a different question, like who, what, where.
Simple Sentence
The simplest sentence possible must contain: SUBJECT + VERB Examples: Bob danced. Mary ran. James cooked. However, usually contains: SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT Examples: Bob danced with Mary. Mary ran home. James cooked spaghetti.
Easiest to read.
Rhetorical Use: Emphasize one point. Focus reader attention on that point.
Jesus wept.
I have a dream.
puts auxiliary verbs at the end of each sentence, and always inverts the object and subject.
OBJECT-SUBJECT-VERB
Gone to the dark side, Count Dooku has. That boy you trained, gone he is. When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not.
Sentence Composition
Compound Sentence
Simple sentence + Simple sentence Joined by coordinating conjunction: and, but, yet, so, nor, or, for.
Coordinating Conjunction
And The river flows, and the water rises.
So The river flows faster, so well see flooding. But, yet The river flows, but the water is contaminated. The river flows, yet we have no water to drink.
Reason or choice
Or The river flows less, or we may perish. Nor The river flows faster, nor will it stop flooding.
Sentence Composition
Complex Sentence
Simple sentence + subordinate clause OR Subordinate clause + simple sentence The river rose, after the big storm.
After the big storm, the river rose. Rhetorical Use: Shows the relationship between the major idea and the minor idea (i.e., subordinate).
Time
After, before, once, since, until, when, whenever, while The river rose, after the big storm.
Reason or cause
As, because, since Because the river rose, our basement flooded. In order that, so, so that, that The river rose, so we had to evacuate. Even if, if, provided that, unless If the river rose more, our bridge would wash away. Although, even though, though, whereas Even though the river rose without warning, we survived. Where, wherever The river rose where the banks narrowed.
Choice
Rather than, whether Rather than measure how much the river rose, we fled.
Sentence Composition
Compound-Complex Sentence
A complex sentence + coordinate conjunction + simple sentence.
The river rose, after the big storm, and people fled.
After the big storm, the river rose, and people fled.
Rhetorical Use:
Express complex ideas. Elaborate and qualify. Make a claim. Provide supporting evidence.
Sentence Composition
Sentence Length
Short Sentences Easy to read. Useful for emphasizing important points.
Long Sentences Contain a lot of words, typically in a complex structure. Are harder to read. BUT are useful for creating interest. Vary the length of sentences in your writing. All one length is boring and repetitive, if short. Boring and confusing, if long.
Verb-Subject Agreement
Writing Exercise
1. The criteria for assessing the environmental effects of hurricanes (are / is) given in the next section. 2. So far, the daily number of students applying (has / have) remained constant. 3. This blouse (are/is) too tight. 4. My mother (has/have) diabetes.
The less you write, the more users read!!! WORDY: It is necessary that you change your password. CONCISE: You must change your password.
WORDINESS
For the reason that Considering the fact that That is why On the occasion of In a situation in which Under circumstances in which It is necessary that There is a need It is important that Is able to Has opportunity to Has the ability to It is possible that There is a chance that It could happen that
When
Must, Should
Can
Word Choice
Use familiar words
Long, unfamiliar words Abbreviate Accomplish Advantageous Ascertain Commence Conceptualization Considerable Detrimental Elevation Equivalent Fabricate
Short, familiar words Shorten Do Useful Find out Begin Idea Much Harmful Height Equal Build
QUESTIONS?
Email learningcentre@oldscollege.ca