Transcript Engaging Sentence Structure

Engaging Sentence Structure
The Walden University
Writing Center Staff
Webinar Overview
In the following slides, we will cover
– Syntax
– Parts of a Sentence and Sentence Types
– Punctuation
– Sentence Variation Strategies
– 10 Tips for Sound (and Exciting!) Sentences
Understanding Syntax
Syntax: the rules that govern sentence
structure in any given language; the way
words are put together to form a sentence
Mix it up!
Varying Syntax
The subjects had 15 minutes to take the
test. The subjects then had to seal the test
in an envelope. The subjects did this to
protect their anonymity. The subjects then
handed the envelope to the moderator.
Pros
Cons
•Clear, correct grammar
•Specific description of
subjects’ steps
•Boring
•Repetitive
•Clunky
Varying Syntax
The subjects had 15 minutes to take the
test. Once completed, the subjects sealed
their test in an envelope to protect their
anonymity and then handed the envelope to
the moderator.
It’s all about the variation:
Avoid several consecutive sentences that are
about the same length and structured in the
same way.
Parts of a Sentence
For a sentence to be complete, it must have a subject (what or
whom the sentence is about) and a verb (an action, or what the
subject does).
Jones wrote.
Jones = the subject
Wrote = the verb
Most sentences also have a direct object (what receives the action).
Jones wrote an article.
an article = direct object
Parts of a Sentence
In academic writing, we also often have a modifier (a clause that
modifies a noun or a verb).
Because of a gap in the literature, Jones (2010) wrote an article.
We might also add an appositive (a clause that defines a noun).
Jones (2010), the famed social scientist, wrote an article.
Finally, sentences often have prepositions (clauses that indicate the
relationship of a noun or pronoun).
Jones (2010) wrote an article about Mexican culture.
Parts of a Sentence
Dependent clause: a group of words that contains a subject and verb
but does not express a complete thought (not a full sentence).
– Common dependent clause markers: after, although, as, as if,
because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since,
though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether,
and while.
Although Jones was a brilliant scientist
Independent clause: a group of words that contains a subject and verb
and expresses a complete thought (can stand alone as a complete
sentence).
Jones did not consider his own biases when conducting the
study.
Sentence Types
Simple Sentence
• An independent clause with no conjunction or dependent clause
Jones was a brilliant scientist.
Compound Sentence
• Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, so).
Jones was a brilliant scientist, but he did not consider his own
biases when conducting the study.
Sentence Types
Complex Sentence
• One independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Combine them with subordinators referring to the subject (who,
which), the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements
(because, if) of the independent clause.
Although Jones was a brilliant scientist, he did not consider his own
biases when conducting the study.
Compound-Complex Sentence
• Multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Although Jones was a brilliant scientist, he did not consider his own
biases when conducting the study, and this oversight showed in his
skewed results.
Punctuation
• In order to make all the parts of sentences
work correctly, you need punctuation.
• You also often need punctuation to join
clauses.
– Commas
– Semicolons
– Colons
Punctuation
According to APA (2010), use a comma “between
elements (including before and and or) in a series of three
or more items” (p. 88).
In the forest, there are lions, tigers, and bears.
You can make the pie with apples, pears, or bananas.
At practice today, the players will work on catching the ball,
shooting with accuracy, and defending set plays.
Punctuation
Also use commas to
• set off nonessential information
Jamie has a date with John, who is the nicest guy she has ever
met, and she wants to make him dinner.
• link two independent clauses with a conjunction
Jamie went to the grocery store, and she bought dinner.
• set off an introductory phrase
When Jamie went to the grocery store, she bought dinner.
• separate nonessential clauses at the end of a sentence
Jamie went to the grocery store, which was three blocks away.
Punctuation
Use semicolons to
• separate two independent clauses
Jamie went to the grocery store; she bought dinner.
• separate two independent clauses with a sentence
modifier
Jamie went to the store; however, she forgot to buy candles.
• separate elements in a series that already contain
commas
Jamie went to the store to buy lettuce, tomatoes, and croutons for a
salad; pasta, chicken, and sauce for an entrée; and ice cream and
brownies for dessert.
Punctuation
Use colons to
• Introduce a list at the end of an independent clause
Jamie had everything she needed to make the perfect dinner: a
salad, an entrée, and a dessert.
• Introduce an illustrative or amplifying phrase or clause at
the end of an independent clause
Jamie knew there were just two things she needed to complete her
meal: candlelight and romantic music.
Do not use a colon immediately after a verb
Jamie went to the store to get: a salad, an entrée, and a dessert.
Now What?
Build a successful paragraph with this
knowledge.
Mix it up!
Putting the Sentences Together
Varying Sentence Length
The company reported that profit growth stabilized in 2009,
though it had steadily increased by more than 7% since
1989. (20) In 2010, the year the company launched the
OWN project, profit growth decreased from the previous
year. (17) This announcement stunned Wall Street
analysts. (6) According to Smith, however, this decrease is
indicative of a trend across profit growth worldwide; it also
supports future predictions for the industry. (23)
Putting the Sentences Together
Varying Sentence Type and Syntax
Although Jones was a brilliant scientist, he did not consider
his own biases when conducting the study. (complex) This
oversight showed in his skewed results. (simple w/ prep
phrase) When he analyzed the findings, Jones determined
that the fifth graders needed more mathematics and less
art instruction. (complex) Being a math teacher caused
him to favor that subject. (simple) Therefore, the study is
not valid, and I cannot use it to support my own research.
(compound w/ trans. word)
Ten Tips for Sound Sentences
1. Avoid wordiness
2. Avoid redundancy
3. Use pronouns sparingly
4. Employ transitional words and phrases
5. Use the active voice
6. Be consistent with point of view
7. Avoid casual language
8. Avoid unnecessary adverbs (very, really)
9. Use economy of expression
10. Avoid circumlocution
1. Avoid Wordiness
Sometimes the best means of expression is
also the simplest.
Instead of This
Based on the fact that
At the present time
For the purpose of
There were several
people who stated
Use This
Because
Now
For or To
Several people stated
* These and the following suggestions adapted from the APA manual.
2. Avoid Redundancy
Instead of This
Use This
They were both alike
One and the same
A total of 68 participants
In close proximity
Four different groups
Has been previously found
Summarize briefly
They were alike
The same
68 participants
In proximity
Four groups
Has been found
Summarize
3. Use Pronouns Sparingly
While pronouns are useful to help writers avoid
repetition, pronouns should be used sparingly to
keep the meaning of the sentence clear.
• An example of an unclear pronoun:
When Jeff and Brian joined the team members,
they were scared.
• An example of pronoun overload:
Effective teachers create plans for their lessons
while they teach them so that students can
benefit from them and develop their minds.
4. Employ Transitions
Use transitions to guide the reader from one
sentence to the next.
• Time: then, next, after, while, since
• Cause-effect: therefore, consequently, as a
result
• Addition: in addition, moreover, furthermore,
similarly
• Contrast: but, conversely, nevertheless,
however, although
5. Use the Active Voice
The active voice means the subject of the sentence
performs the action that the verb expresses.
On the other hand, using the passive voice puts the
emphasis on the object. Too much of the passive
voice can weaken your scholarly voice.
Why?
There is no set subject or “doer” of the action in
passive voice, leading to ambiguity.
5. Use the Active Voice
Write lively, active sentences where the subject
initiates an action that affects the direct object. In
other words, put the subject of the sentence at the
beginning, immediately followed by an action verb.
Passive Voice: The apple was eaten.
Active Voice: Snow White ate the apple.
Passive Voice: The survey was conducted after school.
Active Voice: The researchers conducted the survey after school.
6. Be Consistent With Point of View
“To avoid ambiguity, use a personal pronoun rather than the third person
when describing steps taken in your experiment” (APA, 2010, p. 69).
Therefore, instead of This researcher or This author, use I
First Person
I completed a meta-analysis of infectious disease trends in Thailand. I
found…
Third Person
The researchers discussed the outcomes of their study…
First Person Plural
(used only for yourself & coauthor[s] of a paper)
We concluded that …
Do not use the second person “you.”
7. Avoid Casual Language
Clichés and colloquialisms cannot be universally
translated and might confuse some readers.
Be straightforward.
Instead of This
Use This
The doors were closed to advancement
In light of recent research
It was a slippery slope to failure
The researchers were getting results
My journey through the literature has led to
There was no way to advance
Based on recent research
Failure occurred easily
The researchers collected results
Based on the articles I read
8. Avoid Unnecessary Adverbs
Adverbs like very and really often give a
sentence an informal, embellished tone.
Instead of This
Use This
The research was very thorough
The participants were really responsive
The research was thorough
The participants were responsive
9. Use Economy of Expression
According to APA (2001), “The author who is frugal with
words not only writes a more readable manuscript but
also increases the chances that the manuscript will be
accepted for publication…You can tighten long papers by
eliminating redundancy, wordiness, jargon, evasiveness,
overuse of the passive voice, circumlocution, and clumsy
prose.”
In other words, write in clear, concise statements and aim
for logical communication: the simpler the better.
10. Avoid Circumlocution
Circumlocution is a roundabout way of
saying what you want to say (using several
words to say something simple).
Instead of This
The participants in the study were six young people who have
completed 3 years of elementary education and are not living in an
urban area.
Use This
The study included 6 fourth grade students from a rural elementary
school.
Other Resources
• Writing Center: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/
• Library: http://library.waldenu.edu/
• Residencies: http://residencies.waldenu.edu/
• Grammarly:
http://www.grammarly.com/edu/students/
• Writing Center Blog:
http://waldenwritingcenter.blogspot.com/
Questions?
You can email us anytime!
For questions about course papers:
[email protected]
For questions about dissertations
and doctoral studies:
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