What does it mean to vary the sentence pattern within a written work?
http://www.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt.htm
To vary the sentence pattern within a written work means to use different sentence structures and types to add variety and style to the writing. It helps avoid monotony and keeps the reader engaged.
To achieve variation in sentence patterns, you can consider the following techniques:
1. Length: Vary the length of your sentences. Use both long and short sentences to create a natural flow within your writing. Shorter sentences can convey quick thoughts or actions, while longer sentences can delve into details or complex ideas.
2. Structure: Make use of different sentence structures. For example, instead of always starting with a subject, try beginning with a prepositional phrase or an introductory clause to add variety. Experiment with different combinations of subjects, verbs, and objects.
3. Sentence types: Utilize a mix of different sentence types such as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Simple sentences consist of one independent clause, compound sentences have two or more independent clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions, complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, and compound-complex sentences have multiple independent and dependent clauses.
4. Punctuation: Make deliberate use of punctuation marks like commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes to vary the sentence structure. Commas can create pauses or separate clauses, semicolons and colons can link related clauses or introduce lists, and dashes can add emphasis or set apart information.
Remember, maintaining sentence pattern variety is essential for creating engaging and dynamic writing. Practice using different sentence lengths, structures, and types to enhance the overall quality of your work.