寫作課堂用Sentence Variety3

1、Sentence Variety,Sentence variety refers to varied sentence structure and sentence length. Too many sentences of the same size and structure will lead to boring and monotonous expression. So variety is essential to a good writing.,How to achieve sentence variety,Variety is achieved when short senten

2、ces are used in between long ones, simple sentences in between compound and complex ones, periodic sentence in between loose ones.,Types of sentences,According to their use: Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, and Exclamatory Sentences,A declarative sentence makes an assertion or a statement. An

3、 interrogative sentence asks a question. An imperative sentence expresses a command or a request. An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong feeling or emotion, such as surprise, pain, or joy.,declarative sentence: Scientists wonder what effect global warming will have on the biosphere. interrogativ

4、e sentence: Whats todays exchange rate for US dollars against Japanese yen?,imperative sentence: Lets not waste our time arguing about the current topic. exclamatory sentence: How beautiful the scenery is!,Structure: simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex,A simple sentence has only one subje

5、ct and one predicate-verb, but it may contain more than one object, attribute or adverbial. e.g. My sister and I enjoy playing badminton and look forward to it each weekend.,A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses (or simple sentences) related to each other in meaning, and li

6、nked by a coordinating conjunction, such as and, but, or, or by a (;) with a conjunctive adverb. e.g. Punctuation is important; therefore, dont forget to use a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb in a compound sentence.,A complex sentence contains one main/principal clause and one or more depend

7、ent/subordinate clauses, with a connective word denoting the relation between the two parts. e.g. Although many people were unknown to each other before, they have got acquainted with each other through e-mail.,A compound-complex sentence contains at least two main clauses and at least one dependent

8、 clausea combination of a compound and a complex sentence. e.g. Those who indulge in the Internet often feel isolated and being cut off from the outside world; gradually, they tend to become more introverted and withdrawn.,A rhetorical point of view: Loose, Periodic, and Balanced Sentences,A loose s

9、entence puts the main idea before all supplementary information; in other words, it puts first things first, and lets the reader know what it is mainly about when he has read the first few words. Loose sentences are easier, more natural and direct.,She sang the National Anthem, holding the sheet mus

10、ic with her hands in case she forgot the words. He stood silently for a moment, wondering what to say, nervously rubbing his nose.,A rhetorical point of view: Loose, Periodic, and Balanced Sentences,A periodic sentence makes the reverse arrangement; the main idea is expressed at or near the end of i

11、t, and it is not grammatically complete until the end is reached. The reader does not know what it is mainly about until he finishes reading it. Periodic sentences are more complex, emphatic, formal, or literary.,Because of his arrogance, his abuse of authority, and his desire to increase taxes, he

12、was defeated in his bid for re-election. e.g. She decided to study English though she was interested in music. Although she was interested in music, she finally decided to study English.,A rhetorical point of view: Loose, Periodic, and Balanced Sentences,A balanced sentence is that a sentence contai

13、ns two parallel clauses similar in structure but contrasted in meaning. Balanced sentences are impressive because of the contrast, and pleasing to hear because of the rhythm. They are mainly used in formal writing, like expository and argumentative prose, and speeches.,When a sentence contains two o

14、r more parts of the same form and grammatical function, it is one with parallel constructions. e.g. Visits to museums and galleries will widen ones horizon, enrich ones knowledge and arouse ones interest.,When a sentence contains two parallel clauses similar in structure but contrasted in meaning, i

15、t is called a balanced sentence. e.g. A. On hearing the news, he was angered, and I was saddened. B. The politician is concerned with successful elections, whereas the statesman is interested in the future of his people.,Length: Short and Long sentences,Short sentences are usually emphatic, and suit

16、able for the presentation of important facts and ideas.,Long sentences are capable of expressing complex ideas with precision, because it may contain many modifiers, and suitable for the explanation of views and theories, or the description of things with many details. Long sentences are common in l

17、egal, political and theoretical writing, which depends on modification for accuracy.,Note,The basic principle is that the structure should fit the idea being expressed. In other words, the idea determines the choice of the structure, not the other way round.,Warming up exercise:,E.g. Many students a

18、ttend classes all morning and work all afternoon. Then they have to study at night. As a result, they are usually exhausted by the weekend.,Subordination: Many students, who attend classes all morning, work all afternoon, and study all night, are usually exhausted by the weekend. Many students, afte

19、r they attend classes all morning, also work all afternoon. Because they have to study at night, they are usually exhausted by the weekend.,Participle Phrases: After attending classes all morning, working all afternoon and studying at night, many students are usually exhausted by the weekend.,E.g.:

20、需求的增長導(dǎo)致了價格的升高。 The cause of/reason for higher prices was an increase in demand. One effect/consequence/result of the increase in demand is higher prices.,The demand has increased. Therefore/So/As a result/Accordingly / Consequently /Because of this/Thus/Hence/For this reason/Now, the prices are high

21、er. Because/As/Since/Now that the demand has increased, the prices are higher.,An increase in demand often causes/results in/leads to/produces higher prices. Higher prices are caused by/due to an increase in demand.,The prices are higher because of/as a result of/on account of /owing to/through an i

22、ncrease in demand. The prices are higher because/since/as there is an increase in demand.,Some suggestions for achieving sentence variety:1: use active voice and passive voice,e.g. Today, we use machines not only in industry but in other sectors of national economy as well. Today machines are widely

23、 used not only in industry but in other sectors of national economy as well.,e.g. Some people believe that it will be possible for automatic machines to replace completely in the future. It is believed by some people that it will be possible for automatic machines to replace completely in the future

24、.,2: put some modifiers at the beginning/end or in the middle of the sentence,e.g. People can get around freely with a car. With a car, people can get around freely.,e.g. In fact, speaking is one of the most important means of communication. Speaking is, in fact, one of the most important means of c

25、ommunication.,3: use normal and inverted order,e.g. A new type of TV sets was among the products on display. Among the products on display was a new type of TV sets.,e.g. We did not realize the problem of energy crisis until the end of last century. Not until the end of last century did we realize t

26、he problem of energy crisis.,4: use simple sentence, compound sentence and complex sentence,e.g. Nowadays a lot of people work in office, spending most of their time indoors. Nowadays a lot of people work in office and they spend most of their time indoors.,e.g. There are many means of getting infor

27、mation and they enable us to keep up with what is going on in the world. There are many means of getting information which enable us to keep up with what is going on in the world.,5: Dont always use nouns or pronouns as subjects,e.g. Many people think birth control is quite necessary in China. It is

28、 widely believed birth control in China is quite necessary. e.g. More and more people agree There is a growing agreement,Varied sentence beginnings:,1). Beginning with a participle phrase Standing on top of the hill, I can have a birds-eye view of the whole city.,2）Beginning with an infinitive phras

29、e To give my wife a rest, I offered to drive the next 500 miles. 3) Beginning with a prepositional phrase Without exception, everyone must punch in at work. With great feeling, Martin Luther King expressed his dream of freedom.,4） Beginning with adjectives Intelligent and hardworking, the boy often

30、ranks first in the class. 5） Beginning with an adverbial clause While waiting for her first social security check, Mrs. Collins decided to earn some money by telling fortunes.,6). Beginning with an absolute phrase His mouth wide open, he listened to my story with great attention.,Paragraph 1 This ac

31、count is about television only in part. I do not mean to cast it as an evil appliance. I will be describing phenomena that appear on television often, but they are also on the radio and in magazines and everywhere else. They are parts of modern life. Television covers an extraordinary amount of terr

32、itory in 24 hours. I could find fifty references to any topic.,Paragraph 2 But only in part is this account about television, which I do not mean to cast it as an evil appliance. Often I will be describing phenomena that appear on television, but they are also on the radio and in magazines and every

33、where else, because they are parts of modern life. The amount of territory that television covers in 24 hours is extraordinary- I could find fifty references to any topic .,This account is about television only in part. I do not mean to cast it as an evil appliance. I will be describing phenomena th

34、at appear on television often, but they are also on the radio and in magazines and everywhere else. They are parts of modern life. Television covers an extraordinary amount of territory in 24 hours. I could find fifty references to any topic.,But only in part is this account about television, which

35、I do not mean to cast it as an evil appliance. Often I will be describing phenomena that appear on television, but they are also on the radio and in magazines and everywhere else, because they are parts of modern life. The amount of territory that television covers in 24 hours is extraordinary- I co

36、uld find fifty references to any topic .,Paragraph 3 Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743. He died at Monticello, Virginia, on July 4, 1826. He accomplished a number of things during his eighty-four years. He was known for his draft of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was a man of many talent

37、s. He had a wide intellectual range. He was a patriot, and he was one of the revolutionary founders of the United States. He was a president, and he abolished internal taxes, reduced the national debt, and made the Louisiana Purchase. And, he was an architect. Finally, he designed Monticello and the

38、 University of Virginia.,Paragraph 4 Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 and died at Monticello, Virginia, on July 4, 1826. During his eighty-four years he accomplished a number of things. Although best known for his draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was a man of many talents who had

39、 a wide intellectual range. He was a patriot who was one of the revolutionary founders of the United States. He was a president who abolished internal taxes, reduced the national debt, and made the Louisiana Purchase. And, finally, he was an architect who designed Monticello and the University of Vi

40、rginia.,Varied Diction I had a very nice childhood. I went to a very nice school in Scotland where the teachers were all very nice to the students. And the lessons were always nice. It was a very nice part of the country and it seems to me now that the weather was always nice. I thought it was espec

41、ially nice in winter when it was nice to play in the snow. Our school uniform was very nice and school dinners were always nice. I wonder if it was really as nice as I think now or if I am just becoming old？,I had a very happy childhood. I went to a very pleasant school in Scotland where the teachers were all very kind to the students, and the