The Writers World: Paragraphs and Essays

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The Writers World Paragraphs and Essays

• Part IV Editing Handbook
• Chapter 19 Sentence Variety

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 1 Rewrite
the following paragraph using both long and short
sentences. Make sure you write some compound and
complex sentences.

• A cultural icon can be an object, a person, or
  a place. Cultural icons symbolize a belief or a
  way of life. Each country has its own icons.
  They become part of that countrys history. For
  example, Mickey Mouse is a familiar image. The
  cartoon character symbolizes American optimism.
  The Statue of Liberty is a cultural icon. People
  can be icons, too. In Mexico, revolutionary
  leader Emiliano Zapata is a cultural icon. In
  America, Elvis Presley is an icon. These icons
  reflect a shared cultural experience.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 1 Rewrite
the following paragraph using both long and short
sentences. Make sure you write some compound and
complex sentences.

• A cultural icon can be an object, a
  person, or a place. Cultural icons symbolize a
  belief or way of life, and each country has its
  own icons, which become part of that countrys
  history. For example, Mickey Mouse, a familiar
  cartoon image, symbolizes American optimism as
  does another cultural icon, the Statue of
  Liberty. People, such as Emiliano Zapata in
  Mexico and Elvis Presley in America, are cultural
  icons too. These icons reflect a shared cultural
  experience.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice Example 2
Change one sentence to a question, one to an
exclamation, and one to a quotation.

• Example Most people want to be famous.
• Why do most people want to be famous?

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 2 Change
one sentence to a question, one to an
exclamation, and one to a quotation.

• The last one hundred years was a century of
  celebrities. Many ordinary people achieve almost
  saintly status. In previous centuries, heroes
  were those who fought bravely in wars or who
  rescued others. Today, actors, musicians,
  politicians, and athletes are routinely deified.
  Even criminals such as Al Capone and Charles
  Manson become household names. In the words of
  Daniel J. Boorstin, celebrity worship and hero
  worship should not be confused. However, we
  confuse them everyday.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 2 Change
one sentence to a question, one to an
exclamation, and one to a quotation.

• The last one hundred years was a century of
  celebrities. Why do many ordinary people achieve
  almost saintly status? In previous centuries,
  heroes were those who fought bravely in wars or
  who rescued others. Today, actors, musicians,
  politicians, and athletes are routinely deified.
  Even criminals such as Al Capone and Charles
  Manson become household names! In the words of
  Daniel J. Boorstin, Celebrity worship and hero
  worship should not be confused. However, we
  confuse them everyday.
• Note Use exclamation points sparingly if they
  are used too often, the emphasis is weakened.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 3 Example
Rewrite by using adverb or prepositional phrase
at the beginning.

• Example __________ The United States most
  recognizable symbol was actually made in
  France.
  
• Actually, the United States most
  recognizable symbol was made in
  France.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 3 Rewrite
by using adverb or prepositional phrase at the
beginning.

• 1. A group of French intellectuals, in 1865, met
  in a restaurant and discussed the United States.
  
• 1. In 1865, a group of French intellectuals met
  in a restaurant and discussed the United States.
  
• 2. The French artists and thinkers carefully
  criticized their oppressive emperor, Napoleon
  III.
  
• 2. Carefully, the French artists and thinkers
  criticized their oppressive emperor, Napoleon III.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 3 Rewrite
by using adverb or prepositional phrase at the
beginning.

• 3. They then expressed in quiet voices admiration
  for Americas new democratic government.
  
• 3. In quiet voices, they then expressed
  admiration for Americas new democratic
  government.
  
• 4. A sculptor gradually developed the idea of
  creating a gift for the United States.
  
• 4. Gradually, a sculptor developed the idea of
  creating a gift for the United States.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 3 Rewrite
by using adverb or prepositional phrase at the
beginning.

• 5. Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi searched for a site
  to place his sculpture during a visit to the
  United States.
  
• 5. During a visit to the United States,
  Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi searched for a site to
  place his sculpture.
  
• 6. He crafted Lady Liberty with the help of
  many workers.
  
• 6. With the help of many workers, he crafted
  Lady Liberty.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 3 Rewrite
by using adverb or prepositional phrase at the
beginning.

• 7. The 305-foot statue was completed in 1884.
• 7. In 1884, the 305-foot statue was completed.
• 8. Bartholdi unfortunately died in 1883 without
  seeing the completed work.
  
• 8. Unfortunately, Bartholdi died in 1883 without
  seeing the completed work.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 4 Example
Rewrite to include an introductory word or
phrase.

• Example Adverb __________, playwright Naomi
  Lizuka loves the 50-foot Hollywood sign.
  
• Surprisingly, playwright Naomi Lizuka
  loves the 50-foot Hollywood sign.
  

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 4 Rewrite
to include an introductory word or phrase.

• 1. Adverb __________ the sign is more than just
  white letters that spell Hollywood.
  
• 1. Remarkably, the sign is more than just white
  letters that spell Hollywood.
  
• 2. Prepositional phrase __________ the sign is
  like a beacon to aspiring actors.
  
• 2. For many reasons, the sign is like a beacon to
  aspiring actors.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 4 Rewrite
by using adverb or prepositional phrase at the
beginning.

• 3. Prepositional phrase thousands of people
  arrive with the dreams of stardom.
  
• 3. With anticipation, thousands of people arrive
  with the dreams of stardom.
  
• 4. Adverb some people make it, but many do
  not.
  
• 4. Fortunately, some people make it, but many do
  not.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 4 Rewrite
by using adverb or prepositional phrase at the
beginning.

• 5. Adverb _______ the sign is an important
  American symbol.
  
• 5. Obviously, the sign is an important American
  symbol.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 5 Example
Combine sentences with a present participle
(verbal with ing).

• Example Odessa and Cassius Clay looked at
  their tiny son. They had no idea of their
  boys future fame.
  
• Looking at their tiny son, Odessa and
  Cassius Clay had no idea
  
• of their boys future fame.
• Having no idea of their boys future fame,
  Odessa and Cassius Clay
  
• looked at their tiny son.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 5 Combine
sentences with a present participle (verbal with
ing).

• 1. Cassius Clay competed in the 1960 Olympics.
  He won a gold metal.
  
• 1. Competing in the 1960 Olympics, Cassius Clay
  won a gold metal.
  
• 1. Winning a gold medal, Cassius Clay competed in
  the 1960 Olympics.
  
• 2. He used a unique boxing method. Clay won
  many fights.
  
• 2. Using a unique boxing method, Clay won many
  fights.
  
• 2. Winning many fights, Clay used a unique
  boxing method.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 5 Combine
sentences with a present participle (verbal with
ing).

• 3. He changed his name to Mohammad Ali. He
  professed his loyalty to Islam.
  
• 3. Changing his name to Mohammad Ali, he
  professed his loyalty to Islam.
  
• 3. Professing his loyalty to Islam, he changed
  his name to Mohammad Ali.
  
• 4. He spoke with rhymes. Ali became the original
  rapper.
  
• 4. Speaking with rhymes, Ali became the original
  rapper.
  
• 4. Becoming the original rapper, Ali spoke with
  rhymes.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 5 Combine
sentences with a present participle (verbal with
ing).

• 5. Ali voiced his own opinions. He promoted
  black power and antiwar beliefs.
  
• 5. Voicing his own opinions, Ali promoted black
  power and antiwar beliefs.
  
• 5. Promoting black power and antiwar beliefs, Ali
  voiced his own opinions.
  
• 6. He proclaimed his opposition to the Vietnam
  War. He was arrested as a draft dodger.
  
• 6. Proclaiming his opposition to the Vietnam War,
  he was arrested as a draft dodger.
  
• 6. Being arrested as a draft dodger, he
  proclaimed his opposition to the Vietnam War.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 5 Combine
sentences with a present participle (verbal with
ing).

• 7. He refused to back down. He lost his boxing
  license from 1967 to 1970.
  
• 7. Refusing to back down, he lost his boxing
  license from 1967 to 1970.
  
• 7. Losing his boxing license from 1967 to 1970,
  he refused to back down.
  
• 8. Ali knocked out George Foreman in 1974. He
  regained his boxing title.
  
• 8. Knocking out George Foreman in 1974, Ali
  regained his boxing title.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 6 Example
Combine sentences with a past participle.

• Example Jesse Owens was born in 1913. He was
  the son of sharecroppers and the grandson of
  slaves.
  
• Born in 1913, Jesse Owens was the son of
  sharecroppers and the grandson of slaves.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 6 Combine
sentences with a past participle.

• 1. Jesse Owens was excluded from team sports in
  college. The African American athlete excelled
  at individual sports, such as track and field.
  
• 1. Excluded from team sports in college, the
  African American athlete Jesse Owens excelled at
  individual sports, such as track and field.
  
• 2. He was invited to the 1936 Olympic Games. He
  competed in twelve events.
  
• 2. Invited to the 1936 Olympic Games, he competed
  in twelve events.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 6 Combine
sentences with a past participle.

• 3. The 1936 Olympic Games were held in Berlin.
  They were a showcase for the Nazi party.
  
• 3. Held in Berlin, the 1936 Olympic Games were a
  showcase for the Nazi party.
  
• 4. Owens went on to win four gold medals. He was
  encouraged by his fans.
  
• 4. Encouraged by his fans, Owens went on to win
  four gold medals.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 6 Combine
sentences with a past participle.

• 5. Hitler was surprised by Owenss success. He
  refused to shake the medal winners hand.
  
• 5. Surprised by Owenss success, Hitler refused
  to shake the medal winners hand.
  
• 6. The athlete was treated like a hero upon his
  return. He basked in glory for a short while.
  
• 6. Treated like a hero upon his return, the
  athlete basked in glory for a short while.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 6 Combine
sentences with a past participle.

• 7. Owens was forbidden to ride in the front of a
  bus. He expressed sadness about the segregation
  laws in his state.
  
• 7. Forbidden to ride in the front of a bus, Owens
  expressed sadness about the segregation laws in
  his state.
  
• 8. A Berlin street was renamed Jesse Owens
  Strasse in 1984. The street leads to the Olympic
  stadium.
  
• 8. Renamed Jesse Owens Strasse in 1984, a Berlin
  street leads to the Olympic stadium.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 7 Example
A.) Fill in each blank with a present participle.

• Example __________, Walt Disney prepared
  his first film.
  
• Feeling confident, Walt Disney prepared
  his first film.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 7 A.) Fill
in each blank with a present participle.

• 1. , Disney created his famous mouse.
• 1. Working alone, Disney created his famous
  mouse.
  
• 2. __________, children appreciated the little
  mouses feisty attitude.
  
• 2. Laughing loudly, children appreciated the
  little mouses feisty attitude.
  
• 3. ___________, Disney eventually retired.
• 3. Feeling exhausted, Disney eventually retired.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 7 Example
B.) Fill in each blank with a past present
participle.

• Example Jackie Chan learned how to do
• amazing stunts.
• Trained in the Peking Opera School, Jackie
  Chan learned how to do
  
• amazing stunts.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 7 B.) Fill
in each blank with a past present participle.

• 1. , young movie audiences expect great fight
  scenes.
  
• 1. Raised on violence, young movie audiences
  expect great fight scenes.
  
• 2. , action movies are a Hollywood staple.
• 2. Loved by large audiences, action movies are a
  Hollywood staple.
  
• 3. , film lovers would like to see original,
  well-written films.
  
• 3. Tired of sequels, film lovers would like to
  see original, well-written films.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Example
Combine sentences to create an appositive.

• Example John Winston Lennon was a British
  lad. He grew up in the home of his aunt.
  
• John Winston Lennon, a British lad, grew up
  in the home of his aunt.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Combine
sentences to create an appositive.

• 1. John Lennons father abandoned him. His
  father was a sailor.
  
• 1. John Lennons father, a sailor, abandoned
  him.
  
• 2. At the age of five, Lennon witnessed the
  tragic death of his mother. Her name was Julia.
  
• 2. At the age of five, Lennon witnessed the
  tragic death of his mother, Julia.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Combine
sentences to create an appositive.

• 3. An off-duty police officer who was driving
  home accidentally hit Julia. This was an event
  that Lennon never got over.
  
• 3. An off-duty police officer who was driving
  home accidentally hit Julia, an event that Lennon
  never got over.
  
• 4. Later, his aunt Mimi bought Lennon his most
  valuable gift. She bought him a guitar.
  
• 4. Later, his aunt Mimi bought Lennon his most
  valuable gift, a guitar.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Combine
sentences to create an appositive.

• 5. She never expected her nephew to make a living
  with music. It was a dream she believed was
  unattainable.
  
• 5. She never expected her nephew to make a living
  with music, a dream she believed was
  unattainable.
  
• 6. Lennon was a good organizer. He invited some
  friends to join a band.
  
• 6. A good organizer, Lennon invited some friends
  to join a band.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Combine
sentences to create an appositive.

• 7. Their music group was one of the most famous
  twentieth-century bands. The group was called
  the Beatles.
  
• 7. Their music group, the Beatles, was one of the
  most famous twentieth-century bands.
  
• 8. The groups songs were extremely catchy. The
  songs were about topics such as love, nonsense,
  revolution, and lonely people.
  
• 8. The groups songs, about topics such as love,
  nonsense, revolution, and lonely people, were
  extremely catchy.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Combine
sentences to create an appositive.

• 9. The band members had distinct personalities.
  The members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney,
  George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
  
• 9. The band members, John Lennon, Paul McCartney,
  George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, had distinct
  personalities.
  
• 10. In the 1970s, after the band broke up, Lennon
  created music with his wife, Yoko Ono. She was a
  Japanese musician and artist.
  
• 10. In the 1970s, after the band broke up, Lennon
  created music with his wife, Yoko Ono, a Japanese
  musician and artist.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Combine
sentences to create an appositive.

• 11. In 1980, Lennon was murdered in front of his
  home. This was an act that his fans could not
  forgive.
  
• 11. In 1980, Lennon was murdered in front of his
  home, an act that his fans could not forgive.
  
• 12. Long after their deaths, Mozart and Beethoven
  are still remembered. They were famous
  eighteenth-century composers.
  
• 12. Long after their deaths, Mozart and
  Beethoven, famous eighteenth-century composers,
  are still remembered.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyPractice 8 Combine
sentences to create an appositive.

• 13. Will John Lennon achieve the same level of
  immortality as Mozart? John Lennon was a rock
  musician.
  
• 13. Will John Lennon, a rock musician, achieve
  the same level of immortality as Mozart?

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review
Example Use the strategies that you have learned
in this chapter to create at least ten varied
sentences.

• Example People are obsessed with fame.
  Perhaps they believe that fame will make
  them immortal.
  
• People are obsessed with fame believing
  that fame will make them immortal.
  

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 1. Andy Warhol was an artist. He made a
  fortune with silkscreens of famous icons such as
  Marilyn Monroe and Mick Jagger. He predicted
  that everyone would be famous for fifteen
  minutes. Today television is filled with
  ordinary people. They hope to achieve celebrity
  status. We wonder why this is happening. Our
  society elevates celebrities above the common
  human. Certainly celebrities often have great
  talent. The talent includes exceptional musical
  ability, great athletic prowess, or a compelling
  ability to act. However, many celebrities lack
  moral character. They are models of bad
  behavior. Celebrities often make poor role
  models.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 1. Andy Warhol, an artist, made a fortune with
  silkscreens of famous icons such as Marilyn
  Monroe and Mick Jagger. He predicted that
  everyone would be famous for fifteen minutes.
  Today television is filled with ordinary people
  hoping to achieve celebrity status. Why is this
  happening? Our society elevates celebrities
  above the common human. Certainly celebrities
  often have great talent, including exceptional
  musical ability, great athletic prowess, or a
  compelling ability to act. However, lacking
  moral character, many celebrities are models of
  bad behavior and make poor role models.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 2. Some celebrities in the twentieth century
  were very troubled. There are people like
  Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain.
  They turned to drugs in order to cope with their
  pain. For example, Cobain and Hendrix abused
  heroin. Monroe abused prescription drugs. They
  cannot be blamed for their addictions. Others
  suggest that such celebrities make drugs appear
  glamorous and exciting.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 2. Some celebrities in the twentieth century,
  people like Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, and
  Kurt Cobain, were very troubled. They turned to
  drugs in order to cope with their pain. For
  example, Cobain and Hendrix abused heroin whereas
  Monroe abused prescription drugs. Some argue
  that these celebrities are simply troubled people
  who cannot be blamed for their addictions.
  Others suggest that such celebrities, making
  drugs appear glamorous and exciting, provide
  children with negative role models.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 3. Other celebrities have promoted violence.
  This includes Tupac Shakur and many other rap
  artists. Shakur certainly had a difficult
  childhood. He was raised in Baltimore, Maryland.
  He was accepted to the prestigious Baltimore
  School for the Arts. He developed his music and
  writing skills. He also became involved in
  gangs. He was arrested on several occasions.
  His rap music often mentioned the thug life. He
  told stories of gunfights and gang rivalries. He
  was gunned down during a trip to Las Vegas,
  Nevada. The rapper died violently.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 3. Other celebrities, including Tupac Shakur
  and many other rap artists, have promoted
  violence. Shakur certainly had a difficult
  childhood. Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he was
  accepted to the prestigious Baltimore School for
  the Arts. He developed his music and writing
  skills. Becoming involved in gangs, he was
  arrested on several occasions. Telling stories
  of gunfights and gang rivalries, his rap music
  often mentioned the thug life. Gunned down
  during a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, the rapper
  died violently.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 4. Impressionable youngsters want to emulate
  their heroes. They do not think about the
  dangers of drugs or gang life. Some people do
  not care what celebrities do. Artists are humans
  and are entitled to make mistakes. Others argue
  that celebrities have a certain responsibility.
  No matter what your opinion is, people leading
  public lives will always be under scrutiny.

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Chapter 19 Sentence VarietyFinal Review Use
the strategies that you have learned in this
chapter to create at least ten varied sentences.

• 4. Wanting to emulate their heroes,
  impressionable youngsters do not think about the
  dangers of drugs or gang life. Feeling that
  artists are humans and are entitled to make
  mistakes, people do not care what some
  celebrities do. Others argue that celebrities
  have a certain responsibility. No matter what
  your opinion is, people leading public lives will
  always be under scrutiny.