Sentence Variety

1. Sentence Variety In-class practice for varying your sentence structures…

2. Dependent Markers after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, whenever, whether, and while • Example: The class became silent when Ms. Stafford announced the assignment. • Revision: When Ms. Stafford announced the assignment, the class became silent.

3. Transitional Words or Phrases accordingly, after all, afterward, also, although, and, but, consequently, despite, earlier, even though, for example, for instance, however, in conclusion, in contrast, in fact, in the meantime, in the same way, indeed, just as... so, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, not only... but also, now, on the contrary, on the other hand, on the whole, otherwise, regardless, shortly, similarly, specifically, still, that is, then, therefore, though, thus, yet • Example: Mercer Island schools are working to continue with the tradition of excellence. Other schools in the Seattle area are just trying to get up to standard. • Revision: Mercer Island schools are working to continue with the tradition of excellence. Meanwhile, other schools in the Seattle area are just trying to get up to standard.

4. Participles Present participles end in “ing,” for example: eating, speaking, dreaming, caring. Past participles usually end in -ed, -en, -d, -n, or -t but can be irregular, for example: worried, eaten, saved, seen, dealt, taught. • Example: Kimi and Noah were alarmed to get an F on their presentation. They were mad. • Revision (present): Getting an F on their presentation alarmed Kimi and Noah. They were mad. • Revision (past): Alarmed to get an F on their presentation, Kimi and Noah were mad.

5. Prepositions about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, as, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, near, next to, of, off, on, out, over, past, to, under, until, up, with • Example: The students are facing pressure to do better junior year. They are working harder than ever. • Revision: Under pressure to do better junior year, the students are working harder than ever.

6. Conjunctions These are your For And Nor But Or Yet So • Example: Ms. Stafford calls out her students’ names in an effort to get them to pay attention. Students don’t always find this to be a comfortable situation. They complain that it embarrasses them. • Revision: Ms. Stafford calls out her students’ names in an effort to get them to pay attention. Students don’t always find this to be comfortable and they complain that it embarrasses them.

7. Subordination after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, rather than, since, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, wherever, whether, which, while • Example: The high school parking problem is getting worse. The high school is not creating any new spots. • Revision: The high school parking problem is getting worse because the high school is not building any new spots.

8. Vary it with adependent marker • The test was hard even though Ms. Stafford let us use our notes.

9. Vary these with aPresent and Past Participle • Caleb and Jared were mobbed by fans. They were scared by the attention. • Harry was expecting a standing ovation. He was disappointed with the simple applause.

10. Vary it with a Preposition • The football team is under pressure to beat Juanita. They have been practicing all their best moves.

11. Vary the Rhythmusing a conjunction • Every time there is a Powerpoint slide on the screen I take notes. I am still not passing this class.

12. Vary the Rhythm using subordination • The announcements seem to be getting better. They are using different voices and showing enthusiasm.