Mastering Sentence Structure: Techniques for Improved Writing
This guide provides valuable techniques for becoming a better writer through sentence imitation exercises. You will learn to create sentences that involve listing items, using verbs, and incorporating phrases effectively. Exercises include forming series with nouns and verbs, crafting prepositional and appositive phrases, and employing adjective and adverbial phrases. Through practice, you will enhance your writing skills and expand your vocabulary, making your communication clearer and more engaging. Join us as we explore the art of sentence structure and increase your writing prowess!
Mastering Sentence Structure: Techniques for Improved Writing
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Presentation Transcript
Sentence Imitating Becoming a better writer
Commas in a series • Mom asked that I get bread, milk and juice at the store. • Imitation: Dad said to buy batteries, peas, and ice cream at Costco. • Now, write your own sentence that imitates the structure of the one above, listing three nouns in a series.ca
Verbs in a series • Typically Broadway performers must be able to sing, dance and act to be successful in the business. • I have never seen someone who can talk, text and drive while also driving a car. • Now, write your own sentence that imitates the structure of the one above, listing three verbsin a series.
Prepositional Phrases • Out the door, down the stairs and up the street she ran quickly to meet her boyfriend. • Imitation: Over the river, through the woods, and up the path Grandmother walked to get back to her cabin. • Imitate the sentence using prepositional phrases.
Appositive Phrase, ending with a dependent clause • Keith, the boy in the rumpled shorts and shirt, did not know he was being watched as he entered room 215 of the Mountain View Inn. • Madison, the student with the most good grades and good behavior didn’t realize that the teacher noticed when she always did the right thing. • Imitate the following sentence by including an appositive phrase, and ending with a dependent clause.
Appositive Phrase • Avon, a rather small snail, read a book every day. • Miss Stevens, a big Aggie Fan, watches the Aggies play each week. • Imitate the sentence by including an appositive phrase.
Adverbial Phrase • Darcy can build a pyramid in less than a minute. • HOW does Darcy the build the pyramid? In less than a minute. An adverb tells us when, where, how, to what extent or in what manner an action is performed. • Imitation: Students can be in their seats 5 seconds after the bell rings. • Imitate the sentence above by ending with an adverbial phrase.
Adverbial Phrase • In June of last year, Tony decided to move to Arkansas. • Imitation: In two years I should have my masters degree. • Imitate the sentence by putting the adverbial phrase at the beginning of the sentence.
Adjective Phrases • Covered with sweat, the man started the long walk home. • Adjectives are words that describe nouns. Adjective phrases are groups of words that describe a noun. • Imitation: Sick with worry, the child’s mother wondered when he would get home.
Adjective Phrase/Adverbial Phrase • Jumping in front of the frozen TV picture, he waves the remote in circles like it’s a magic wand. • Screaming and crying, the toddler threw a tantrum on the floor of the ladies department at Stonebrier Mall.
