What IS Sentence Fluency Anyway?

An Example of Poor Sentence Fluency

I love shopping. My friend and I will go shopping all the time. We love to buy clothes. She likes buying jeans. I like buying shoes best.

Why is this wrong?

All sentences begin with a subject immediately followed by a verb.

The flow is choppy.

An Example of Sentence Variety(1)On any day of the week, I enjoy shopping at the mall. (2)Hoping to find the best deal, I stop in every store. (3) Jennifer, my best friend, always comes along. (4)While she prefers buying clothes, I purchase shoes. (5)“To shop is to live” is the motto we chant. Why is this better? 1. Begins with a prepositional phrase.2. Begins with a verbal phrase3. Begins with an appositive phrase and

what it modifies4. Begins with a dependent clause 5. Begins with an infinitive phrase

Dependent Clause

Begins with a phrase that cannot stand as a sentence by itself› Although they were very hungry,

students were not allowed to eat in class. › Because she studied every night, Mrs.

Cook earned her Masters degree while keeping a 4.0 GPA.

› Even if she aced her test, she could not pass the course.

What’s an appositive?

It is rewording the subject› My husband, Eric, has dark hair.› Eric, my husband, has dark hair› My school, the Union 9th Grade Center,

is huge.› My job, teaching, makes me happy.

Verbal Phrases

A phrase that uses a verbal and its modifiers. Easiest to use “-ing” words› Running every day, Brandi hoped to lose

weight.› Having been chosen for the lead role,

she suddenly developed severe stage fright.

› Knowing how to access the internet for information is a valuable skill

Prepositional Phrases

Sentences that begin with a prepositional phrase› Around the room, Mrs. Cook has a lot of

Edgar Allan Poe items.› To me, I think that studying is very

important.› In my group, we think Mean Girls is the

best movie ever.

Infinitive Phrases

Begins with an infinitive phrase (to + a verb)› To run is to keep your cardiovascular

system in shape.› To earn an “A” is my only goal in school. › To educate students makes me love my

life.

Assignment

Write 1 paragraph on the prompt:› What is your opinion about shopping?

Start a sentence with:› Appositive (renaming the subject- yellow)› Prepositional phrase (starts w/a prep.

Phrase- pink)› Dependent clause (starts with a clause that

cannot stand on its own- blue)› Verbal phrase (starts with a verb and its

modifies; easiest to start with an “-ing” verb- green)

› Infinitive phrase (To + verb- orange)