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Sentence Beginnings
Wordiness
When too many sentences in a paragraph begin the
same way, the writing will be dull and monotonous.
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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.
My little sister loves attention. She charms the adults.
She flashes her toothless smile. She blows bubbles,
and they think she’s darling.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
When too many sentences in a paragraph begin the
same way, the writing will be dull and monotonous.
Most of these sentences begin with a subject and verb.
What sentences begin with a subject and verb?
My little sister loves attention. She charms the adults.
She flashes her toothless smile. She blows bubbles,
and they think she’s darling.
Click to see a revision
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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
My little sister loves attention. She charms the adults.
She flashes her toothless smile. She blows bubbles,
and they think she’s darling.
REVISED
My little sister loves attention. Flashing her toothless smile,
she charms the adults. She blows bubbles, and they think
she’s darling.
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WordinessBeginnings
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Use the following strategies for varying the way your
sentences begin. Click on the strategy you want to
explore.
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• Start a sentence with a phrase
• Start a sentence with a single word
• Start a sentence with a subordinate clause
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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.
• After the game, the players signed autographs.
• Refusing to answer the question, the witness wept quietly.
• To keep silent about this incident was not possible.
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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.
• After the game, the players signed autographs.
• Refusing to answer the question, the witness wept quietly.
• To keep silent about this incident was not possible.
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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.
• After the game, the players signed autographs.
• Refusing to answer the question, the witness wept quietly.
• To keep silent about this incident was not possible.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Which idea in the following paragraph could be
changed into a phrase?
Stephen King is a popular writer. His books have broad
appeal. His books have become hit motion pictures.
Click to see the idea
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
To vary these sentences, change one of these ideas
into a phrase. Which idea could be changed into a
phrase?
Stephen King is a popular writer. His books have broad
appeal. His books have become hit motion pictures.
Click to see a revision
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
To vary these sentences, change one of these ideas
into a phrase. Which idea could be changed into a
phrase?
Stephen King is a popular writer. His books have broad
appeal. His books have become hit motion pictures.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Stephen King is a popular writer. His books have broad
appeal. His books have become hit motion pictures.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Stephen King is a popular writer. His books have broad
appeal. His books have become hit motion pictures.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Stephen King is a popular writer. With
His books
their have broad
appeal., his
His books have become hit motion pictures.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Stephen King is a popular writer. With
His books
their h broad
appeal., his
His books have become hit motion pictures.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Stephen King is a popular writer. With
His booksbroad
their
appeal., his
His books have become hit motion pictures.
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WordinessBeginnings
Sentence
Phrases
Linking the last two sentences with a phrase helps to
emphasize the connection between the books’ broad
appeal and King’s success. It helps break up the
monotony of the sentences.
Stephen King is a popular writer. With their broad
appeal, his books have become hit motion pictures.
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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.
• Confident, she stepped up to the microphone.
• Exhausted, the hikers collapsed on the old bench.
• Victorious, the players celebrated on the sideline.
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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.
• Confident, she stepped up to the microphone.
• Exhausted, the hikers collapsed on the old bench.
• Victorious, the players celebrated on the sideline.
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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.
• Confident, she stepped up to the microphone.
• Exhausted, the hikers collapsed on the old bench.
• Victorious, the players celebrated on the sideline.
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Single Words
Where could adding a single word add variety to this
paragraph?
His hopes were dashed. His future looked bleak. His selfesteem was shattered.
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WordinessBeginnings
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Single Words
The addition of the word changes the rhythm of the
sentences and adds interest by giving one idea the
most importance.
His hopes were dashed. His future looked bleak. Worse,
his self-esteem was shattered.
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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.
• When he reached the top of the tree, he grabbed a
slender branch and shouted with joy.
• Because a tornado can happen very suddenly, it pays to
be prepared.
• Whenever I have the chance, I travel to exotic places.
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WordinessBeginnings
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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.
• When he reached the top of the tree, he grabbed a
slender branch and shouted with joy.
• Because a tornado can happen very suddenly, it pays to
be prepared.
• Whenever I have the chance, I travel to exotic places.
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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
• When he reached the top of the tree, he grabbed a
slender branch and shouted with joy.
• Because a tornado can happen very suddenly, it pays to
be prepared.
• Whenever I have the chance, I travel to exotic places.
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WordinessBeginnings
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Subordinate Clauses
Which of these sentences could be changed to include a
subordinate clause?
My cousin is rather quiet. She stays in her room for hours.
She lives in our house, but we sometimes forget she exists.
Click to see the sentence
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WordinessBeginnings
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Subordinate Clauses
Which of these sentences could become a subordinate
clause?
My cousin is rather quiet. She stays in her room for hours.
She lives in our house, but we sometimes forget she exists.
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WordinessBeginnings
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Subordinate Clauses
ORIGINAL
My cousin is rather quiet. She stays in her room for hours. She
lives in our house, but we sometimes forget she exists.
REVISED
My cousin is rather quiet. She stays in her room for hours.
Although she lives in our house, we sometimes forget she
exists.
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