Six plus one traits for Writing- Sentence Fluency Trait
Smooth and Expressive Sentence Fluency- Sentence fluency refers to
the way that individual words and phrases sound together within a
sentence, and how groups of sentences read one after the other
Variety in Sentence Beginnings
- We can’t start every sentence the same way. We can’t expect
people to read our writing if we do. We can’t do this because it
makes the writing hard to understand. The repetition of the same
phrase takes away from the actual meaning of the words.
Variety in Sentence Length and Structure
- Using sentences with different lengths and different structures
helps make writing more interesting as well.
Easy to Read with Expression; sounds great when read aloud
- To understand and enjoy our writing, people need to read it
expressively. Expressive reading involves reading a text with the
appropriate changes in pitch, rhythm, volume and tone that we
hear in normal speech. Good readers do this because it improves
their comprehension. When writing flows smoothly from word to
word, phrase to phrase and sentence to sentence, we can easily
match our expression to the writer’s meaning.
Sentences are structured so they are easy to understand
Look at the following sentences:
1. One of the interesting properties of sentences in most languages is
that their parts can often be rearranged without the meaning being
changed.
2. In most languages, one of the interesting properties of sentences is
that they can often be rearranged without changing their meaning.
3. Without changing their meaning, in most languages, sentences can
often be rearranged.
*The same idea has just been stated in three different sentences. The
only difference is sentence structure. Sentences can be arranged in
simple or complex structure.
A short note on Sentence Structure
- In our writing, sentence structure is incredibly important. In order to
become better more effective writers, it is essential that we become
conscious of how sentences are put together. This means that we must
read other people’s writing and take note of the sentence structure and
style.
Taken from: Teaching That Makes Sense- www.ttms.org
Sentence Fluency Rubric
Levels 3-4
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The writing sounds natural, with one sentence flowing effortlessly into the text.
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Varied sentence beginnings guide the reader from one sentence to the next.
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Variation in sentence structure and length adds interest to the text.
-
Fragments, if used at all, work well. Most sentences are complete.
-
Dialogue, if used, sounds like people talking.
Levels 2-3
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Simple sentences make sense but compound and complex sentences do not.
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The sentences make sense but they are not skilfully written.
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There is some variety in sentence beginnings, length and structure.
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Fragments do not work and are the result of error.
-
The reader has to hunt for clues to see how one sentence should flow into the
next.
-
Some parts of the text sound good when read aloud; others sound choppy and
sound awkward when read aloud.
Level 1 or below
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The sentences do not sound natural.
-
The reader may have to pause or read the sentences again to understand what
is meant.
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There is no variety in sentence beginnings, length or structure.
-
There are several fragments.
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No clear connections are made between the sentences.
-
The reader cannot make sense of the connections between the sentences.
Peer Response for Sentence Fluency
For each section below, highlight the sentence that best describes your partner’s
sentences
Sentence Flow
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Flows nicely, almost musical
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Some flow to the paper but it is not graceful
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Sounds funny, awkward or jarring
Reading sentences aloud
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Easy to read aloud
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Some parts are easy to read aloud whereas others are difficult
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Difficult to read aloud
Sentence Length
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Different sentence length
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Some variety in sentence length
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Sentences are all short or all long
Sentence Variety
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Different sentence structures
-
Some variety in sentence structure
-
Sentences have the same pattern
Sentence Beginnings
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Different sentence beginnings
-
Some variety in sentence beginnings
-
No variety in sentence beginnings