English 120 – Rosichan
Sentence Variation Workshop
Paste this link into your browser to go to the Purdue Owl on Strategies for Sentence Variation:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/573/
I also will email you a powerpoint from Blinn College on Sentence Variation. Please watch it.
Finally, there is a handout attached with exercises for you to practice Sentence Variety.
Guided Activity: Practicing Sentence Variety
Creative Beginnings
Kernel Sentence:
I lost my homework.
Directions:
Use the kernel sentence and the designated modifier at the beginning of the
sentence to create a new sentence. Be sure to use the correct punctuation.
Modifier
1. WHEN
(adverb clause)
2. AFTER
(adverb clause)
3. ALTHOUGH
(dependent clause)
4. BECAUSE
(dependent clause)
5. TO
(infinitive phrase)
6. -LY word
(adverb)
7. -ED phrase
8. -ING phrase
Original Sentences
Guided Activity: Practicing Sentence Variety
Mid-Sentence Modifiers
Kernel Sentence:
Directions:
I lost my homework.
Use the kernel sentence and the designated modifier in the middle of the
sentence to create a new sentence. Be sure to use the correct punctuation.
Modifier
9. Renaming phrases
(appositives)
10. -ED phrase
11. -ING phrase
Original Sentences
Guided Activity: Practicing Sentence Variety
End of Sentence Modifiers
Kernel Sentence:
Directions:
I lost my homework.
Use the kernel sentence and the designated modifier at the end of the sentence
to create a new sentence. Be sure to use the correct punctuation.
Modifier
12. -ED phrase
13. -ING phrase
Original Sentences
Guided Activity: Practicing Sentence Variety
Combining Modifiers
Kernel Sentence:
I lost my homework.
Can you do this???
Directions:
For bonus points, use the kernel sentence and a combination of modifiers at the
beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the sentence to create a new
sentence. Be sure to use the correct punctuation.
Original Sentence