Writing better sentences

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Writing better sentences
In Section B of both papers, you will be assessed
on different aspects of the way you write. One
way of achieving a higher grade is to make sure
you are writing well constructed sentences. You
need to make your sentences interesting by
varying the type, altering the length and using a
variety of different starts.
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There are three different types of sentences.

• SIMPLE
• A simple sentence contains only one idea. It has
  one clause. This is a main clause because it
  makes complete sense by itself.
• e.g. The bus was very late.

• COMPOUND
• A compound sentence has two or more main clauses
  joined by a conjunction ( a word like and,
  because, but, as, which).
• e.g. The bus was very late and the passengers
  were getting annoyed.

Main clause can stand by itself
Main clause can stand by itself
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3. COMPLEX A complex sentence has a main clause
and one or more subordinate clauses, added to
give extra information. Subordinate clauses do
not make complete sense on their own they depend
on the main clause. e.g. The bus was very late,
making the passengers very angry.
Main clause can stand by itself
Subordinate clause needs the main clause to
make it make sense
e.g. The bus, having broken down, was very late,
making the passenger very angry.
When you write you need to use a mixture of these
three sentence types to make your work
interesting.
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As well as using the three different sentence
types there are lots of other ways you can make
your sentences more interesting.
Think about adding descriptive detail and
carefully choosing your vocabulary (words) for
instance. Look at these and notice how each one
is an improvement on the one before it because of
the choice of language. 
The lights hanging from the ceiling shine,
lighting up the scene.
The lights suspended from the ceiling flicker,
illuminating the room.
The lights suspended precariously from the
ceiling flicker faintly, illuminating the gloomy
room.
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You could also think about the positioning of the
subordinate clause in complex sentences. Look at
where the subordinate clauses are in these
sentences.
Everyone ran for shelter when the rain started.
When the rain started, everyone ran for shelter.
Notice the use of commas in these last two
sentences.
Everyone, including the vicar, ran for shelter.
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You could also think about the type of word used
to start your sentence. You dont always have to
begin sentences with the subject (A tree . . .
The lights . . . Susan . . . He . . .). Variety
is important so. Look at these.
Begin some with a verb ending in ing Walking
through the dark streets, I suddenly felt
frightened.
Begin some with a verb ending in ed Scattered
over the slopes were quaint old houses.
Begin some with an adverb Slowly, moving inch
by inch, the tractor made its way across the
field.
Begin some with an adjective Beautiful
butterflies fluttered across the purple moor.
Begin some with the joining word Until that
moment I hadnt realised what true beauty was.
Begin some with a preposition Beneath the
distant trees stood a small cottage.
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Using effective punctuation will also help you
get a better grade. Look at these sentences and
notice where the punctuation has been used.
Before starting the answer, I studied the
question carefully.
My talk, which lasted ten minutes, was well
received.
Opening my results, I smiled with relief.
However, this is not always true.
I have revised English, history, science and
maths.
He read through his answers, corrected some
mistakes and handed his paper in.
The house was derelict it had stood empty for
years.
The things you will need for your exam are pen,
pencil, ruler, rubber and calculator.
Dont be afraid to experiment with sentences.