ENGLISH FACULTY

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ENGLISH FACULTY

• SATs - writing better sentences
• Moving from level 6
• to level 7 and beyond!

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Writing better sentences

• The challenge
• Level 6 begins to use some variety of sentence
  structure to achieve effects.
• 7 uses range of sentence structures to create
  effects.
• 8 uses a full range of appropriate sentence
  structures.

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Writing better sentences

• Two golden rules
• Consciously use a range of different types of
  sentence.
• 2) When possible write for effect that is, use
  sentence structure to make an impact on your
  reader!

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Writing better sentences

• For each of the examples, try to work out why
  some sentences are better than others.
• Be prepared to share your ideas with your
  teacher and with others in your class.
• Ready?

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Dont just stick to subject / verb/ object

• 6 The snake ate the mouse.
• 7 Running on pure instinct the snake bit and
  then devoured the mouse.
• 8 The unfortunate mouse, too slow to sense
  danger, became the snakes lunch.

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Begin a sentence with an adjective

• 6 The bike was rusty and needed oiling.
• 7 Old and rusty, the bike needed oiling.
• 8 Old and rusty yet dependable, the bike almost
  seemed grateful for being oiled.

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or with an adverb

• 6 The gymnast effortlessly performed a
  handspring.
• 7 Effortlessly and with polished precision, the
  gymnast performed a handspring.
• 8 Effortlessly and with practised yet elastic
  precision, the gymnast performed a handspring.

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Or with a present participle

• 6 Sally reclined on the settee.
• 7 Reclining on the settee, Sally curled her
  toes in pleasure.
• 8 Reclining on the settee and taking sheer
  animal pleasure in relaxing, Sally curled her
  toes in pleasure.

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Move clauses around the main verb

• 6 With his eyes fixed on the leopard, he moved
  slowly back to the tree.
• 7 He moved slowly back to the tree, his eyes
  fixed on the leopard.
• 8 He moved slowly, his eyes fixed on the
  leopard, back to the tree.

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Mark off additional information using commas

• 6 The experience was frightening.
• 7 The experience, because of the danger
  involved, was frightening.
• 8 The experience was, because of the
  unpredictable nature of a trapped tiger,
  frightening.

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Write complex sentences using subordinating
conjunctions

• Subordinating conjunctions are words like these
• although despite after
• because until before
• whereas as when

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Write complex sentences using subordinating
conjunctions

• 6 I got up early this morning and felt good
  about the day.
• 7 Despite the fact that I got up early this
  morning, I felt good about the day.
• 6 I disagree with you and think you should go
  now.
• 7 Although I disagree with you, I think you
  should go now.

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Are longer sentences better?

• So you noticed that the longer sentences seem to
  get higher grades. Yes, you can demonstrate your
  writing skill and control by building up
  sentences qualities for which you will be
  rewarded. But remember that you need a variety of
  different sentence types in effective writing.

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but dont forget about short, punchy sentences

• Try some two word sentences all you need is a
  subject and a verb. Imagine an audience
  responding to a comedian.
• Ladies cackled. Men guffawed. Girls chuckled.
  Boys sniggered.

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So, lets go back to the beginning.

• Two golden rules
• Consciously use a range of different types of
  sentence.
• 2) When possible write for effect that is, use
  sentence structure to make an impact on your
  reader!