Creative Writing: Sentence Variety

Front

Purpose of sentence variety in writing

Back

To avoid short, choppy sentences and maintain reader interest by using a variety of sentence types.

Front

How to create interesting sentences

Back

Combine short sentences into one, add details, use lists, combine actions, and add adjectives to reduce repetition and improve flow.

Front

Example of combining sentences (Emilio)

Original sentences: • Emilio grabbed the postcard from Herman. • He took a pen out of his shirt pocket. • He wrote something on it. • He handed it back to Herman.

Back

Emilio grabbed the postcard from Herman, took a pen out of his shirt pocket, and wrote something on it before handing it back.

Front

Example of combining sentences (Postcard)

Original sentences: (these describe the postcard): • There were words on the front. • The words said, “New York: The City of Dreams!” • There was a skyline on the front. • The skyline looked like it was from New York City. • The skyline looked like it was from decades in the past.

Back

On the front were the words, “New York: The City of Dreams!” and a skyline of what he assumed was New York City, at least what it had looked like decades ago.