{"id":2091,"date":"2020-02-29T16:14:16","date_gmt":"2020-02-29T20:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwdpr.com\/?p=2091"},"modified":"2020-11-10T13:52:33","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T17:52:33","slug":"making-writing-more-varied","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pwdpr.com\/en\/making-writing-more-varied","title":{"rendered":"Making writing more varied"},"content":{"rendered":"

Has a reviewer labeled your writing as simple, boring, monotone, or flat? \u00abThat hurts!,\u00bb I know. Good news is I can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog, I explain one strategy for achieving this highly sought after flow using varied sentence structure. Nowhere has this phenomenon been captured more effectively than in Gary Provost’s image:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As Gary clearly shows, your writing becomes engaging because of sentence length. At the same time, your argument could easily be drowned in a sea of consecutively short or long sentences. The solution: alternate between simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sentence types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let me define each sentence type. If you already know what they are, just skip to the next section where I explain how they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple Sentences<\/strong> (herein S)- A simple sentence is an independent clause. In other words a complete thought expressed using a subject and a verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Compound<\/strong> Sentences<\/strong> (CP)- When two or more independent clauses are linked by a coordinating conjunction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are coordinating conjunctions? These seven words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by Twinkl<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Complex Sentences<\/strong> (CX)- Are made of one independent and at least one dependent clause. A dependent clause necessitates another clause, because on its own it does not communicate a complete message. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The clauses are typically connected by subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns. Don’t get turned off by the technical terms, just keep an eye out for the keyword listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Compound-complex sentences<\/strong> (CPX)- Contain at least two independent clauses (like the compound sentence) and at least one dependent clause (like the complex sentence).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Using varied sentence types<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What can you do now that you know the different sentence types?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • You can start by reading portions of your manuscript out loud. Do any parts sound monotonous? <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    • Another option is to target the sections which reviewers have labeled dull. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Either way, classify each sentence into these 4 types: S, CP, CX, CPX. Personally, I would assign a color to each type and then color code the manuscript in small increments. There’s something so useful in visibly seeing which color takes over the piece!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you find that a section feels dull and notice it is largely of one color, vary the sentence structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      I hope this blog helps you produce writing that is more engaging. Leave a comment here as I would love to hear about your process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Need an editor?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Shall you prefer having a fresh set of eyes fix your manuscript, contact me. <\/p>\n\n\n