SENTENCE FLUENCY

Fluent writing is graceful, varied, rhythmic-almost musical. It’s easy to read aloud. Sentences are well built. They move. They vary in structure and length. Each seems to flow right out of the one before. Strong sentence fluency is marked by logic, creating phrasing, parallel construction, alliteration, and word order that makes interpretive reading feel simple and natural.

Just Beginning

This paper is hard to read aloud, even with practice.

As I read, I find myself stopping, going back, rechecking the meaning.

I’m having a hard time telling where one sentence ends and the next begins.

Help! Some of these sentences don’t make sense.

All my sentences begin with the same two or three words.

I’ve got a problem! Either (1) everything is strung together in one endless “sentence,” OR (2) many choppy little sentences make for a bump-bump-bumpy ride.

If I read this paper aloud, I’d need to do a lot of oral editing (putting words in, taking words out) to make it clear for a listener.

On My Way-Ready for Serious Revision

It’s pretty easy to read aloud if you take your time, but I wish it sounded smoother in places.

I’ve noticed something about my sentences. My sentences are all about the same length. Maybe I could combine some. Maybe I could shorten others.

I could use some connecting phrases-When this happened…Later…Another thing to consider…On the other hand…For example…Nevertheless…However-to show how ideas are linked.

These sentences are readable and clear, but wordy! I should cut some deadwood.

Here and there, I really like the way I strung words together. It’s smooth-easy to read.

That’s It! Smooth, Rhythmic, Easy To Read. It Just Flows Along.

These sentences almost sing. It is very easy to read this paper aloud with lots of inflection (expression).

Some sentences are long and stretchy, some short and snappy.

Sentence beginnings vary and show how ideas connect with phrases like …As a matter of fact, Next, On the other hand, Taking a closer look at the evidence, Looking at it from a different perspective, To cite another argument,, In addition, etc.

Excess baggage has been cut. Every sentence is lean and clean.

Quick Check for Revision:

__ I read this paper aloud or had someone read it to me. I like how it sounds.

__ As I scan down the page, I see that sentences DO begin in different ways.

__ Some sentences are much longer than others.

__ If I use dialogue, I read all parts aloud to see if they sound natural.

__ My sentences are NOT wordy.

 

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