Sentence Structure/Styles
Periodic Sentence
A long sentence that has the main point at the end
Loose Sentence
A long sentence that has the main point at the beginning
Balanced Sentence
A sentence that uses parallel structure and has clauses that are equally long and equally
important
Parallelism
The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give
structural similarity
Parallelism
Every day she thought about him. Every hour she remembered the time they had spent together.
Every instant she missed him.
Parallelism
Happy and unaware, the goldfish swam through the pond. Tired and warm, the cat slept on the rug.
Slow and slick, the snail inched along the path.
Parallelism
Without an education, without a home, without a single positive influence in their lives, these youth
will suffer.
Parallelism
Jenny studied every once in a while. Jeffrey didn't stay out past midnight every once in a while.
Parallelism
Sharpened pencil by sharpened pencil, piece of looseleaf by piece of looseleaf, little Anna eagerly
prepared her supplies for school.
Periodic Sentence
Not knowing what her fate would be that day, Jenna jauntily stepped onto the doorstep, took three
steps down the path, and was sucked into a warp in the time-space continuum.
Periodic Sentence
On account of the variable arrival times, the stickiness that coats the floor, and the abundance of
overly talkative freshmen, riding my bus isn't always the greatest experience.
Periodic Sentence
Allison pulled her hat down over her forehead, picked up the dusty shovel, removed another clod of
earth, and made what could be called the most important archaeological find of the century.
Periodic Sentence
Although I sincerely regret having to tell you this and really hope that you will understand, I'm afraid
to inform you that I've broken your favorite antique vase.
Periodic Sentence
Because of the annoying ringing alarm, the knowledge that I'll have to unearth myself from my
covers, and the realization that I have to go to school again, I find waking up to be one of the most
unpleasant parts of the day.
Loose Sentence
I've inferred that my brother likes adventuresome activities, based upon his ventures into skydiving, a
plunging descent off a bridge as he bungee jumped, and a bike trip across Europe.
Loose Sentence
The Internet provides an endless source of entertainment, because of the variety of websites, fun
games, entertaining videos, and Wikipedia.
Loose Sentence
The stack of books fell off the edge of the desk, and math textbooks, novels, and graphing calculator
manuals tumbled to the floor.
Loose Sentence
This book deserves no accolades, because the plot is cliche, the characters are stereotypes, and the
prose is littered with grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Loose Sentence
The speaker sent forth a passionate plea to the audience, making use of dramatic language, extended
metaphors, and pauses for emphasis.
Balanced Sentence
She walked into the job interview as she imagined herself walking into a new life.
Balanced Sentence
The rooster crowed eagerly as the Johnsons rose begrudgingly.
Balanced Sentence
The textbooks did contain much knowledge, but they contained too much to actually fit in a
backpack.
Balanced Sentence
The rickety cart squeaked to a stop, so eager customers squealed and gathered round.
Balanced Sentence
After leaving for college, the sisters did escape their parents but they did not escape each other.
Balanced Sentence
The telephone rang continually, but continually the assistant was asleep and did not answer.