Adding Style & Sophistication to Your Writing

Weave Your Sentences Together

Connect sentences by referencing the point made in the previous sentence.

Instead of:

"The introduction of Boo Radley adds an element of mystery to the story. It provides the reader with unanswered questions."

Try something like:

"The introduction of Boo Radley adds an element of mystery. Since the first mention of Boo comes in the form of horrifying and conflicting rumors, readers are left with more questions than answers."

Since the previous sentence provided facts and figures about the Canadian

economy, the transition used above allows the reader to make a point. By

saying “While this does show a successful and strong year” the writer prepares the reader for analysis that will say something negative about the successful economy.

Within the analysis portion of your Romeo & Juliet essay, you can do this to create a seamless flow of ideas.

“While their may be a love story present with the play...”

“Although he may be romantic...”

“Perhaps this is typical of teenage boys, but...”

By inserting opinions, or offhandedly highlight something about the

evidence you are presenting, you can keep your point of view in the forefront of your reader's mind.

"Two scraggly fifteen-foot palm trees in white trashcan planters have been brought in for the occasion with the unsuccessful idea of a festive touch."

Consider this without the use of the word “unsuccessful”. The idea of a festive touch suddenly becomes the UNSUCCESSFUL idea; the argument becomes much louder than just presenting evidence.

In your Romeo and Juliet essay, you can use adjectives to strengthen your sentences.

“People’s ignorant use of this term...”

“The narrow-minded embrace of this play as the greatest...”

“This dangerous and misguided lesson...”

Leading Parts

Many writers merrily run from one simple sentence to the next. Doing this, you miss the opportunity to link two ideas more closely and build a more compelling argument. Most leading parts could appear after the subject—less suspenseful, less emphatic.

*"leading parts" refers to the meat of your sentence--the most important information.

"Esteemed in the West as the statesman who ended the cold war, Mr. Gorbachev is extremely unpopular in Russia, where he is blamed for allowing the Soviet Union to fall apart and for not having pushed reform of the command economy far enough."

Examples

Take a look at these ideas without transitions:

"Mr.Gorbachev is extremely unpopular in Russia. Russia blames him for the downfall of the Soviet Union and for not having pushed reform of the command economy far enough. He is esteemed in the West because he ended the cold war. "

Shortening what would otherwise have been an independent clause and abruptly attaching the phrase to the front of a sentence is a standard edit that too few writers do.

Within your Romeo & Juliet essay, this technique will create contrast and establish a clear distinction between popular opinion and YOUR argument.

“Often referred to as...”

“The most popular opinion within schools and media outlets...”

“Commonly referred to as...”

Links on Style

• OWL Purdue on Style

• Creating Stunning Sentences

• Style: UNC