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SENTENCE
PARAGRAPH
- Sentence formation
Keep your sentences as clear and simple as possible. Vary them in length and structure to keep the interest of your readers alive.
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- Sentence fragments
Do not write sentence fragments (incomplete sentences), unless they are part of a dialogue. For example: I need a new book. Because the old one is torn. (fragments) Revised: I need a new book because the old one is torn.
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- Parallel structure
Use the same pattern of words (parallel structure) to show two or more ideas in a sentence. For example: I like reading, writing, and to paint. (Incorrect). I like reading, writing, and painting. (Correct)
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- Main point of sentence
When writing a sentence, the main point you are trying to put across should preferably be in the beginning. The rest should come later. This makes your readers understand your sentence better.
For example: It was a beautiful garden with well-kept flower beds, immaculately trimmed hedges, and plenty of trees.
“It was a beautiful garden” is the main idea of your sentence, the rest is extra information. Immediately upon reading the sentence, the reader knows what you are saying.
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- Write concise sentences
Write concise sentences. A sentence should not contain unnecessary words.
For example: “He wrote the biography of his life” should be written as “He wrote his biography”. “Of his life” are unnecessary words and can easily be removed.
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- Vary sentence openings
Vary your sentence openings. Too many similar openings in your prose make reading tedious. Besides freshness, variety brings emphasis to the sentence.
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- Topic sentence
The first sentence of a paragraph should be a topic sentence, introducing the main idea of the paragraph.
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- Supporting sentences
The supporting sentences of a paragraph (the second sentence onwards) should explain or “support” the idea expressed in the topic sentence (first sentence).
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- Support your paragraph
Add details and explanations of supporting ideas in your paragraph. With no support or examples, your ideas have no strength. To help you remember to add details, remember ‘RENNS’ – which stands for Reasons, Examples, Names, Numbers, Senses … all types of support:
Reason: Say why your idea is good or bad
Examples: Give proof of your ideas
Names: Use specific names, titles, etc.
Numbers: Give provable numbers
Senses: Give details that refer to our senses (sight, touch, smell, sound, taste)
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- Movement of supporting sentences
The supporting sentences of a paragraph should gradually move from the general to specific qualification of the idea.
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- Digressions and deviations
Keep the sentences of a paragraph focused and unified in the discussion of the topic. Avoid digressions (irrelevant details) and deviations (shifts in focus).
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- Paragraph length
Try to keep your paragraphs about no more than 10 sentences, or 14 lines. Long paragraphs tend to decrease comprehension.
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- Transitional paragraphs
Write transitional paragraphs when switching between two closely related topics, beginning with the old topic and ending with the new.
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- Closing sentence
The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph. It should restate the main idea of the paragraph. But remember – do not repeat the topic sentence; if the idea is the same, then rephrase it. Try and make your closing sentence a ‘clincher’, leaving your reader thinking about it.
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