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)