SENTENCE FLUENCY

WRITING TIP

Begin your sentences in different ways to make your writing more interesting.

Let’s read this together:

Saturn: The Ringed PlanetSaturn is the second-largest planet in our solar system.

It was seen for the first time in 1610. A scientist saw rings around it. Its rings are made of ice and rock. It has over 50 moons! Its farthest moon is named Fornjot.

Circle the first word of each sentence.

Which words did the writer start too many of her sentences with? Starting your sentences with the SAME WORD sounds boring!

Do you think this is a good paragraph?

I had a horrible day yesterday. I woke up in the morning and got my shirt caught in the elevator. I ran for the school bus and missed it. I was late for school. I got in trouble from Ms McGee. I spilled my lunch all over Ms Lee’s desk. I got a bad mark on my Math test. I wish the day was over in no second!

Circle the first word of each sentence.Which words did the writer start too many of her sentences with?

Now look at this paragraph:Pluto: Not a Planet Anymore

Poor little Pluto! It used to be the ninth planet in our solar system. Then, in 2006, scientists had a meeting about Pluto’s size. They took a vote. Now, little Pluto is no longer a true planet. Instead, it is known as a dwarf planet!

Circle the first word of each sentence.Notice the writer begins his sentences with different words. These words make his report flow better!

What about this one?

To begin the week, I had a horrible day yesterday. First, I woke up in the morning and got my shirt caught in the elevator. Next, I ran for the school bus and missed it. Not only that, but I was late for school. Then, I got in trouble from Ms McGee. As if the worst was not over, I spilled my lunch all over Ms Lee’s desk. Finally, I got a bad mark on my Math test. I wish the day was over in no second!

Circle the first word of each sentence.Is this a better paragraph? Why?

These words are called transition words

First, Because of that,Next, Finally,Then, Most importantly,Also, Best of all,And then, Last but not least,However, For example,Therefore, As a result,Even though

YOU CAN ALSO TURN A CHART INTO A PARAGRAPH USING TRANSITION WORDS.

LET’S TURN THE CHART INTO A PARAGRAPH USING TRANSITION WORDS.

My First Soccer Game Victory

On a sunny Saturday morning, Clifford, Sponge Bob, Danny

and some grade 3 students decided to play at a soccer

field in Morse Park. During the game, Danny passed the

ball to Clifford. He dribbled it all the way towards the goal.

Clifford kicked the ball as hard as he could, and scored a

goal. The crowd cheered, and Emily E. took a picture of

the winning goal. Clifford’s team won the game!

Which idea is the most interesting one? (save it for last)Which idea is less interesting and original? (put it first!)

THIS IS A WEB I MADEWhich idea is the most interesting one?

Let’s try to use transition words to turn it into a good paragraph.

WORK WITH A PARTNER TO TURN IT INTO A PARAGRAPH