Sentence Construction

1. Sentence Construction Writing good sentences

2. Pattern #1 Compound sentence with explanatory statement (clauses separated by a colon) General statement (idea) : specific statement (example). (an independent clause) (an independent clause) The colon (:) performs a special function: It signals the reader that something important or explanatory will follow. In this sentence pattern, the colon signals that the second clause will specifically explain or expand some idea expressed only vaguely in the first clause. Examples: Darwin’s The Origin of the Species states a harsh truth: only the fittest will survive. Remember Yogi Berra’s advice: It ain’t over till it’s over. The empty coffin in the center of the crypt had a single horrifying meaning: Dracula had left his tomb to stalk the village streets in search of fresh blood.

3. More examples • Southern Californians have to face reality: we live in an area prone to natural disasters, and we have to be prepared for them. • The Crucible contains an important message for society: when you give in to fear and paranoia, chaos ensues. • Arthur Miller wants to send a message about the dangers of theocracies: they lead to repression. • Recent polls have revealed a truth that contradicts what most people thought about Trump supporters: they are motivated by racial animus rather than economic anxieties.

4. More examples • Old Motown hits contain an important truth: when it comes to love, make decisions with your head not your heart. • Halloween gives an outlet to two primal human needs: one, to be someone else for a little while, and two, to acknowledge the dark side of existence.

5. More examples • The story about the Congo witch hunts expose a characteristic of human nature: when things go wrong, people look for someone to blame. • Tony learned an important thing about his mother early in age: never bother her while she’s watching “Oprah”. • Mr. Perkins told us the most fool-proof way to get an ‘A’ in a college course: sit in the front row, nod and smile at everything the instructor says. • Most students learn early on an important lesson about not getting called on in class: avoid making eye-contact with the teacher when she’s asking a question.

6. Sentence Frames for SP#1 • ___________________ taught me an important lesson: _____________________________ • _______________ has to face the truth: _______________________ • _____________ teaches us an important truth: _____________

7. S.P. #1 “A Zombie is a Slave Forever” • Papa Doc Duvalier found an effective way of controlling the Haitian people: he made them think he was Baron Samedi so they’d be scared of him. • The slave drivers on the sugar plantations were often voodoo priests: in this way the slaves would be more intimidated by them. • The writer takes special note of the zombie costumes she sees on Halloween: she’s a historian of Caribbean history which is where the origins of the zombie myth lies.

8. Examples of this pattern for your “Waltz” reading accountability 1. To the poet’s mother, however, the good-natured fun meant one thing: the father had been drinking. 2. The reality of Theodore Roethke’s life shows us a sad truth about alcoholism in families: people whose parents are alcoholics often become alcoholics themselves. 3. The pans falling off the shelves suggest something important about the father: he doesn’t show much consideration for others.

9. Examples of this pattern based on “Smoking” essay • The blogger KAMuston exposes an elemental truth of human nature: we humans tend to get addicted to things that are bad for us. • Jaime O’Neill comes to the same conclusion as does KAMuston: the only thing that can stop people from smoking is cancer.

10. Sentence Pattern #2

11. Pattern #2: An internal series of appositives or modifiers (enclosed by a pair of dashes or parentheses) Examples: The basic writing skills (good vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, sense of style) can be learned by almost everyone. The characteristics of a good student--self-discipline, thirst for knowledge, and organization--can serve a person both in school and in life after school. The essences of the teenage personality--recklessness, disregard for consequences, testing boundaries of family and society--are the same qualities that caused the deaths of Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare’s famous play.

12. NO--Different species of mammals are humans, gorillas and dogs. • YES--Different species of mammals (humans, gorillas, dogs) all live in Southern California.

13. Another No No • Appositives are NOUNS or Noun Phrases: they can’t be adjectives. • Bad—The qualities of a good friend—loyal, kind, trustworthy—are the things that make Brian a great buddy. • Good--—The qualities of a good friend—loyalty, kindness, trustworthiness—are the things that make Brian a great buddy.

14. Sentence Pattern #2 • The qualities that characterize a zombie—lack of will or consciousness, amorality, unquestioning obedience—are also the characteristics of a modern worker, according to Amy Wilentz. • The qualities that many citizens attribute to the police—brutality, amorality, aggression—thwart police efforts, because people won’t want to cooperate with them. • The qualities many Americans associate with Muslims—violence, disregard for humanity, aggression—are sometimes the same qualities they ascribe to us.

15. No-No’s—Don’t do this • The basic writing skills are (good vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, sense of style). • The basic writing skills—are (good vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, sense of style). • DO This: The basic writing skills (good vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, sense of style) can be learned by almost everyone.

16. SP #2 Neanderthals • The characteristics that people associate with witches—cruelty, meanness, selfishness—are stereotypes that were used to attack helpless old women back in the days of the witch-hunts. • The characteristics that people associate with vampires—bloodthirst, aggression, lust—are also qualities that also describe dictators and other power hungry leaders. • The qualities Mary Shelley ascribes to the Frankenstein monster—amorality, blind aggression, violence—are also attributed to another form of the walking dead—zombies.

17. Sentence Pattern #2 • Behaviors banned at school (spitting, smoking, fighting) are behaviors you shouldn’t engage in anyway, anyway.

18. The qualities a girl might look for in a boyfriend—humor, sensitivity, intelligence—are also qualities that make someone a good person and a good father. • The characteristics of most cartoons on the Cartoon Network—frivolity, irreverence, a fast pace— • The behaviors discouraged in public-- • The qualities you might look for in a car-- • The values… • The behaviors…`

19. Sentence Pattern #3 Interruptive modifier between subject and verb

20. The most popular places for SoCal teens—the mall, the beach, the park—are all located within a 2 mile radius.

21. When a modifier comes between the subject and the verb, you may separate it from the main elements of the sentence with a pair of commas or a pair of dashes. Examples: • Donuts and Danish pastries, popular breakfast foods, contain little nutrition. • Wolves--once feared and killed--are being reintroduced into the environment. • KFC, marketing itself as a healthy alternative to other fast food options, is not so healthy for the chicken.

22. More examples • Sir Francis Bacon,a 17th century writer, wrote that he wanted to quit smoking, but couldn’t. • Tobacco production in 17th century Virginia,profitable for the American colony but even more profitable for England,spurred widespread addiction on the streets of London. • Teenage smoking,once accepted and tolerated,is now strongly discouraged. • Cigarette smoking,considered a positive social activity in the 50’s and 60’s,is now considered a mark of “loserdom.”

23. Sentence Pattern #3

24. Sentence Pattern #4Introductory participles

25. Examples of sentences with introductory participles (Pattern 4 sentences) • Sitting alone in front of the t.v., Marcy regretted that she turned down Marvin’s invitation to go to the party. • Feeling guilty about hurting Marcy’s feelings, Marvin bought her a bouquet of roses. • Having had a religious conversion in prison, the inmate decided to confess to murders the police didn’t suspect him of. • Having eaten all the potato chips in the bag, Marcy decided she should go to the store to replace them before her father got home from work. • Having decided to lose 20 pounds, Conor started eating more fruits and vegetables, and less fast food.

26. Introductory or concluding participles-participles and participle phrases can be usedas modifiers. Examples: • Guarding us with their powerful guns, the heavily armed soldiers at the Rio conference looked ominous. • Expecting a spectacular display, the crowd eagerly awaited the fireworks. • Printed in Old English and bound in real leather, the new edition of Beowulf was too expensive for the family to buy. • Inspired by the reach of the woods and the magnificent view, he was able to finish his novel. • Turning around in his seat, Oliver quickly whipped the eraser at Margie. • Tied up in traffic, Marty was late to is son’s birthday party.

27. Examples you can use in your “Waltz” Reading accountability Examples: 1. Flying around the room, the boy probably feels a mixture of exuberance and fear. 2. Battered and bruised, the father’s hand shows that he often gets into fights.

28. Pattern #4 Sentences for your “Voice” R.A. • Having Failed to speak when her opportunity came, the mother taught her children to speak up for themselves and to have “a voice.” • Faking hoarseness, the mother stepped down from the podium without having made her speech. • Noticing that she was the only Mexican in the auditorium, the mother got shy and couldn’t do her speech.