05 LCD Slides Handout

Crafting Sentences, Constructing Emphasizing Ideas
Paragraphs
 Emphasizing Ideas Within each sentence, emphasize your point
 Coordinating Equal Ideas by expressing it in the subject and verb.
 Subordinating Minor Ideas Prefer active verbs over passive verbs.
 Balancing Parallel Ideas Choose a subject that names the person or
 Linking Ideas thing doing the action.
 Repairing Misplaced Modifiers Use punctuation for emphasis.
 Providing Variety

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Coordinating Equal Ideas Subordinating Minor Ideas

To coordinate single words or phrases, join them To give unequal emphasis, express the major idea
with a conjunction or use a semicolon (;) for in an independent clause and place the minor
independent clauses. idea in a subordinate clause beginning with any
of the following words:
and, but, so, for, yet, or, nor

Accompany a semicolon with any of the following after, although, as, as if, because, before, even
conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases: though, if, since, so that, that, unless, until,
when, where, which, while, who, whom,
however, therefore, moreover whose

for example, in other words,
as a matter of fact

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Balancing Parallel Ideas Linking Ideas

Single words should be balanced with single When sentences and paragraphs flow from one to
words, phrases with phrases, clauses with clauses. another without gaps or shifts, then they are coherent.
Put correlative conjunctions and comparisons in
pairs. Repeat key words to gain coherence.

either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, Maintain consistency in point of view.
both…and, whether…or, than…as
Make pronouns and antecedents Provide transitions to:
agree.
Eliminate distracting shifts in Show addition—and, also, besides,
person, number, tense, mood, next, too, first, second, further,
and voice. moreover, in addition, furthermore

Give examples—for example,
for instance, to illustrate, in
fact, specifically

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Linking Ideas Linking Ideas

Compare—also, similarly, likewise, in the same Show time—after, as, before, next, during, later,
manner finally, then, meanwhile, when, immediately, while

Contrast—but, however, still, on the other hand, in Show place or direction—above, below, beyond,
contrast, nevertheless, even though, yet, on the nearby, farther on, opposite, close, to the left
contrary, although
Indicate logical relationship—if, so, therefore,
Summarize or conclude—in other words, in short, consequently, thus, as a result, for this reason, since
that is, in summary, in conclusion, to sum up,
therefore

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Repairing Misplaced Modifiers Providing Variety

Modifiers—whether they are single words, phrases, or When a rough draft is filled with too many same-
clauses—should point clearly to the words they modify. sounding sentences, try injecting some variety in
Put limiting modifiers in front of the words they modify. order not to bore your readers.
Vary your sentence openings.
only, even, almost, nearly, just Use a variety of sentence structures—simple,
Move awkwardly placed modifiers. compound, complex, compound-complex.
Don’t split an infinitive (“to” plus a verb). Try inverting sentences.
Repair dangling modifiers Add a question or quotation.
(introductory verbal phrases).

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