Title: VARIETY IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
1VARIETY IN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
2TWO PATTERNS
- The Loose Sentence
- The Periodic Sentence
3BASIC STATEMENTS
4BASIC STATEMENTS
- Bells rang.
- Love is blind.
- The cat scratched Sally.
- John gave his mother flowers.
- The teacher considered him a good student.
Every English sentence contains a basic
statement. It may stand alone as one short
sentence as in the examples above, or it may be
buried inside a longer sentence. It is the kernel
that you have left after you chop away everything
in a sentence except its essential meaning it is
the kernel you build on when you want to make a
sentence longer.
5THE LOOSE SENTENCE
6THE LOOSE SENTENCE
This sentence is a basic statement with a string
of details added to it.
- Basic statement Bells rang.
- Loose sentence Bells rang, filling the air with
their clangor, startling pigeons into flight from
every belfry, bringing people into the streets to
hear the news.
7THE LOOSE SENTENCE
- Basic statement The teacher considered him a
good student. - Loose sentence The teacher considered him a good
student, steady if not inspired, willing if not
eager, responsive to instruction and
conscientious about his work.
8THE PERIODIC SENTENCE
9THE PERIODIC SENTENCE
In this sentence, additional details are placed
before the basic statement. Delay, of course, is
the secret weapon of the periodic sentence.
- Basic statement John gave his mother flowers.
- Periodic sentence The tough one, the sullen kid
who scoffed at any show of sentiment, John gave
his mother flowers.
10THE PERIODIC SENTENCE
- Basic statement The cat scratched Sally.
- Periodic sentence Suddenly, for no apparent
reason, the loveable cat scratched Sally.
11THE PERIODIC (INTERRUPTIVE)
In this sentence, additional details are added
inside the basic statement
- Basic statement Love is blind.
- Periodic sentence Love, as everyone knows except
those who happen to be afflicted with it, is
blind.
12EXERCISES
13EXERCISES
Write a loose (cumulative) sentence at lest
twenty words long using each of the basic
statements. Do not change the basic statement
just add to it.
- The moon rose.
- The man was dead.
- She liked the song.
- They had a good time.
14EXERCISES
Using the following basic statements, write four
periodic sentences at least fifteen words long
- Mary left the room.
- Hate is based on fear.
- The man was dead.
- The circus was his life.
15EXERCISES
Select four of the eight sentences you have just
written and add details that will make each one a
combination of the loose and the periodic.
16EXERCISES
Expand the subject on the sentence below
- The old man shuffled out of sight.
17EXERCISES
Expand the verb of each of the following
sentences.
- The girl walked across the playground.
- The boy talked about fishing.
18EXERCISES
Add a simple appositive to the noun at the end of
each sentence below
- He liked the car.
- John read the book.
- They listened to the lecture.
- He called the dog.
19EXERCISES
Using prepositional phrases and participles, add
detail to each of the appositives in the four
sentences you have just written. Make each
sentence at least fifteen words long.
20Parallel Structure
Parallel Structure means using the same pattern
of words to show that two or more ideas have the
same level of importance. This can happen at
three levels
21Words and Phrases
Incorrect
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a
bicycle.
Correct
Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
22More Examples Words Phrases
Incorrect
The production manager was asked to write his
report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed
manner.
Correct
The production manager was asked to write his
report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
23Examples continued
Incorrect
Angry ants, munched the marshmallows, crumbling
coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across
the countertop.
Correct
Angry ants, munching marshmallows, crumbling
coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across
the countertop.
24Clauses
Parallel structure that begins with clauses must
continue on with clauses.
Incorrect
The coach told the players that they should get a
lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much,
and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Correct
The coach told the players that they should get a
lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much,
and that they should do some warm-up exercises
before the game
25Lists after a colon
Incorrect
The dictionary can be used for these purposes to
find word meanings, pronunciations, correct
spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
Correct
The dictionary can be used for these purposes to
find word meanings, pronunciations, correct
spellings, and irregular verbs.
26Other things to watch for
Use parallel structure with pairs of words or
ideas.
Examples
Grannys method was tried and true
Man proposes. God disposes.
27Use parallel structure on both sides of
coordinating conjunctions
(and, but, yet, or, nor, for, so)
Examples
She possessed all the wizards charm yet none of
the wizards insight.
Consult a doctor if your coughing persists or if
your coughing worsens over the weekend.
28Correct the sentences with improper parallel
structure.
Sabrina has wit, charm, and she has an extremely
pleasant personality.
Sabrina has wit, charm, and a pleasing
personality.
29Continued -
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems
critically and she appreciated good prose.
- In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems
critically and appreciate good prose.
30Continued-
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a
caring mentor, and friend.
- Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a
caring mentor, and a wise friend.
31Continued -
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we
thought it was embarrassing.
- We found the film repulsive, offensive, and
embarrassing.
Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and he had
it conveniently arranged.
- Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and
conveniently arranged.
32The End