Conventions of Composition Rule 203 Practice

1. Unsupported: McMurphy quickly wins the other patients to his side.

Better: McMurphy quickly wins the other patients to his side. He convinces them all to sign up for a fishing trip and to watch a baseball game that isn't on the television.

Explanation: Alone, the original sentence could mean a lot of different things, none of which is clear without the additional sentence.

2. Unsupported: Bernard acts in cowardly ways.

Better: Bernard acts in cowardly ways. When he shows up late to his solidarity service, he ends up sitting next to the woman he doesn't like because he's too afraid to raise his head to look around the room.

Explanation: Though Huxley does portray Bernard as a coward, the original sentence needs some evidence to substantiate it.

3. Unsupported: Candide lives through ridiculous circumstances.

Better: Candide lives through ridiculous circumstances, starting with a giant earthquake that kills tens of thousands of people.

Explanation: Ridiculous isn't clear or specific enough on its own.