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Sentence Fluency. The fifth element of the 6 + 1 Writing Traits. What is sentence fluency?. We all know what a sentence is. Right? Fluency is when something moves with smoothness and ease. Sentence+Fluency = Sentences that flow smoothly together. Variety is good!.
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Sentence Fluency The fifth element of the 6 + 1 Writing Traits
What is sentence fluency? • We all know what a sentence is. Right? • Fluency is when something moves with smoothness and ease. • Sentence+Fluency= Sentences that flow smoothly together.
Variety is good! • Variety – different kinds and numbers of things. • Variety in sentence fluency is a number of different lengths, beginnings, and kinds of sentences. Give an example of something with a lot of variety.
Lengths • Use different sentence lengths. • long and stretchy sentences • A long time ago, at Christmas time, every year my whole family would go all the way down to Colorado to go to aunt Angie’s house. • short and snappy sentences • Every Christmas we had a great time.
Comparing Sentences • Kendra was ten minutes late for breakfast. • vs. • Kendra huffed to the breakfast table ten minutes late, flung herself into her chair, and snagged the Cheerios.
Comparing Sentences • The wind was strong. • vs. • The wind fumed and shrieked about the house, yanking at the loose shingles. • How is the first sentence different from the second sentence? • The second sentence has a stronger meaning and this helps the reader better understand what the author is trying to say.
Avoid Repetition Avoid starting every sentence in the same way. Try not to repeat words or phrases that you have already used.
Kinds of Sentences • There are different kinds of sentences. • simple – one independent thought • A cow eats grass. • compound – two or more simple sentences • The cow eats grass and moos at the dog. • declarative – statement • Cows and dogs don’t get along. • interrogatives – question • Do cows live in the city? • exclamatory - exclamation • I am so excited about seeing a cow! • imperative – command • Don’t feed the cows in this pasture.
Add More Meaning to the Following Sentences The dog was hungry. The house was empty. My sister got mad. The rain came down. My shoes were tight.
Write a Paragraph Choose a topic that you know a lot about. Write a descriptive paragraph (at least 8 sentences) using a variety of sentence types and lengths and without repetition so that your writing flows smoothly. Be ready to share it with the class.
Sentence Fluency Read your writing aloud and listen to it’s rhythm. • Do you use a variety of sentence lengths? • Do you use different sentence beginnings? • Are there different kinds of sentences in your writing? • As you flow down the river of your writing, is it choppy and rough or does it flow in a natural rhythm?
Sentence Fluency 5-mark Rubric • Has good ideas and vivid description • Writing that flows (is easy to read and follow) • Has a variety of sentence lengths • Has a variety of sentence types • Has little to no repetition (of words, sentences beginnings, etc)