Transcript Sentence-Beginnings

MENU
EXIT
Sentence Beginnings
Wordiness
When too many sentences in a paragraph begin the
same way, the writing will be dull and monotonous.
Continue…
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
Sentence Beginnings
Wordiness
When too many sentences in a paragraph begin the
same way, the writing will be dull and monotonous.
All of these sentences begin with a subject and verb.
Identify these words in each sentence.
Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most successful
writers of the Harlem Renaissance period. She wrote
plays, novels, and essays that were enthusiastically
received. She died in poverty despite her talent.
Click to see the answer
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
When too many sentences in a paragraph begin the
same way, the writing will be dull and monotonous.
All of these sentences begin with a subject and verb.
Identify these words in each sentence.
Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most successful
writers of the Harlem Renaissance period. She wrote
plays, novels, and essays that were enthusiastically
received. She died in poverty despite her talent.
Click to see a revision
PREVIOUS
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
When too many sentences in a paragraph begin the
same way, the writing will be dull and monotonous.
Such monotonous writing can be improved by varying the
beginnings of some sentences.
ORIGINAL
Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most successful writers
of the Harlem Renaissance period. She wrote plays, novels,
and essays that were enthusiastically received. She died in
poverty despite her talent.
REVISED
Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most successful writers
of the Harlem Renaissance period. Even though she wrote
plays, novels, and essays that were enthusiastically
received, she died in poverty despite her talent.
Next
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Use the following strategies for varying the way your
sentences begin. Click on the strategy you want to
explore.
MENU
• Start a sentence with a phrase
• Start a sentence with a single word
• Start a sentence with a subordinate clause
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
A phrase at the beginning of a sentence can add
both variety and extra detail. These phrases may
also function as transitions, helping to connect
ideas or show a sequence.
• Despite the periodic drizzle, we decided to go hiking anyway.
• Approaching cautiously, the trainer could see the wild look in
the horse’s eyes.
• To hear him tell the story, you would think he was blameless.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
A phrase at the beginning of a sentence can add
both variety and extra detail. These phrases may
also function as transitions, helping to connect
ideas or show a sequence.
• Despite the periodic drizzle, we decided to go hiking anyway.
• Approaching cautiously, the trainer could see the wild look in
the horse’s eyes.
• To hear him tell the story, you would think he was blameless.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
A phrase at the beginning of a sentence can add
both variety and extra detail. These phrases may
also function as transitions, helping to connect
ideas or show a sequence.
• Despite the periodic drizzle, we decided to go hiking anyway.
• Approaching cautiously, the trainer could see the wild look in
the horse’s eyes.
• To hear him tell the story, you would think he was blameless.
Next
EXIT
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Which idea in the following paragraph could be
changed into a phrase?
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. They are tested for infectious diseases and
identified by blood type. They are broken down into parts,
such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Click to see the idea
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
To vary these sentences, change one of these ideas
into a phrase. Which idea could be changed into a
phrase?
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. They are tested for infectious diseases and
identified by blood type. They are broken down into parts,
such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Click to see a revision
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
To vary these sentences, change one of these ideas
into a phrase. Which idea could be changed into a
phrase?
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. They are tested for infectious diseases and
identified by blood type. They are broken down into parts,
such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
He
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. They are tested for infectious diseases and
identified by blood type.. They are broken down into parts,
such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. They are tested for infectious diseases and
identified by blood type. They are broken down into parts,
such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. After
They being
are tested for infectious diseases
and identified by blood type., they
Theyare broken down into
parts, such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. After
They being
are tested for infectious diseases
and identified by blood type., they
Theyare broken down into
parts, such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. After
They being
are tested for infectious diseases
and identified by blood type., they
Theyare broken down into
parts, such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
EXIT
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Linking the last two sentences with a phrase helps to
emphasize the sequence of the processing procedure
and breaks up the monotony of the sentences.
Blood donations must be processed carefully before they
can be used. After
They being
are tested for infectious diseases
and identified by blood type., they
Theyare broken down into
parts, such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Menu
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Single Words
A single word at the beginning of a sentence can
add variety to a paragraph and change the rhythm of
the sentences.
• No, he would not—could not—turn back now.
• Exhilarated, the swimmer burst through the surface of the
pond.
• Irate, she demanded to know why he was so late.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Single Words
A single word at the beginning of a sentence can
add variety to a paragraph and change the rhythm of
the sentences.
• No, he would not—could not—turn back now.
• Exhilarated, the swimmer burst through the surface of the
pond.
• Irate, she demanded to know why he was so late.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Single Words
A single word at the beginning of a sentence can
add variety to a paragraph and change the rhythm of
the sentences.
• No, he would not—could not—turn back now.
• Exhilarated, the swimmer burst through the surface of the
pond.
• Irate, she demanded to know why he was so late.
Next
EXIT
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Single Words
Where could adding a single word add variety to this
paragraph?
Their conversation was hushed and urgent. Their heads
were bent close together. They dropped their voices even
lower when the waiter walked by.
Click to see a revision
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Single Words
The addition of the word changes the rhythm of the
sentences and adds interest by describing the
couple’s mood.
Their conversation was hushed and urgent. Their heads
were bent close together. Secretively, they dropped their
voices even lower when the waiter walked by.
Menu
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Subordinate Clauses
Beginning with a subordinate clause not only adds variety, it
can also emphasize an important idea or stress the sequence
of events. Clauses can also function as transitions, helping
to connect ideas.
• After the child lurched and stumbled over the cat, she righted
herself and tottered to her mother.
• Whenever instructions say “minimal assembly required,” it
means you will be putting the object together for hours.
• Although Emily Dickinson wrote nearly 1,800 poems, most of
them were published after her death.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Subordinate Clauses
Beginning with a subordinate clause not only adds variety, it
can also emphasize an important idea or stress the sequence
of events. Clauses can also function as transitions, helping
to connect ideas.
• After the child lurched and stumbled over the cat, she righted
herself and tottered to her mother.
• Whenever instructions say “minimal assembly required,” it
means you will be putting the object together for hours.
• Although Emily Dickinson wrote nearly 1,800 poems, most of
them were published after her death.
EXIT
MENU
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Subordinate Clauses
Beginning with a subordinate clause not only adds variety, it
can also emphasize an important idea or stress the sequence
of events. Clauses can also function as transitions, helping
to connect ideas. i
• After the child lurched and stumbled over the cat, she
righted herself and tottered to her mother.
• Whenever instructions say “minimal assembly required,”
it means you will be putting the object together for hours.
• Although Emily Dickinson wrote nearly 1,800 poems,
most of them were published after her death.
Next
EXIT
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Subordinate Clauses
Which of these sentences could be changed to include a
subordinate clause?
It is important to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
They help fortify the immune system. They contain vitamins
and minerals that are necessary for a balanced diet.
Click to see the sentence
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Subordinate Clauses
Which of these sentences could be changed to include a
subordinate clause?
It is important to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. They
help fortify the immune system. They contain vitamins and
minerals that are necessary for a balanced diet.
Click to see a revision
PREVIOUS
MENU
EXIT
WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Subordinate Clauses
ORIGINAL
It is important to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. They
help fortify the immune system. They contain vitamins and
minerals that are necessary for a balanced diet.
REVISED
It is important to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Besides helping to fortify the immune system, they contain
vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a balanced diet.
Menu