Sentence Fluency

Tuesday, January 15, 13

What is sentence fluency?

Sentence = complete thought (subject +verb)

Fluency = smooth flow

Sentence Fluency = sentences that flow smoothly together

Tuesday, January 15, 13

Variety is good!Variety = different kinds and numbers of things

Sentence variety = different lengths, beginnings, kinds of sentences

Tuesday, January 15, 13

Sentence Lengths

Long and stretchy

Mom walked slowly along the river and picked pink wild-flowers before sunset.

Short and snappy

Mom walked slowly. She walked along the river. She picked pink wild-flowers. She walked before sunset.

Tuesday, January 15, 13

Sentence Beginnings

Start sentences in a variety of ways.

Remember sentence mobility. Move those pieces around! Start with an expander.

Before sunset, mom walked slowly along the river and picked pink-wildflowers.

Tuesday, January 15, 13

Kinds of SentencesSimple: an independent clause with one subject and one predicate.

Mom walked along the river. Mom picked pink wild-flowers.

Compound: combines two independent clauses.

Mom walked along the river and picked pink wild-flowers.

Complex: combines an independent and a dependent clause.

Because she needed to exercise, mom walked along the river.

Tuesday, January 15, 13

Sentence Fluency PracticeRead your writing aloud and listen to its rhythm.

➡ Do you use a variety of sentence lengths?

➡ Do you use different sentence beginnings?

➡ Are there different kinds of sentences in your writing?

➡ Is your writing choppy and rough or does it flow?

➡ Revise your writing. Combine and vary your sentences, but watch out for run-ons and fragments.

Tuesday, January 15, 13