I need this done before midnight and following all guidelines.

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Module: Varying Your Sentence Structures

Name: _______________________ Date: __________________

1. Get a recent paper from your portfolio. Pick out three interesting
sentences from that paper.

2. Take out three blank sheets of paper, one for each sentence. Write one
sentence at the top of each.

3. Divide each sheet of paper into two columns, one labeled “Rewrites” and
the other, “Comments.”

4. Rewrite each sentence at least five times to add drama and shift
emphasis. Each rewrite should have the same basic meaning, but feel
free to rearrange the structure, add details, and so forth.

5. For each rewrite, add a note to the “Comments” column. Is it a good
rewrite? How would readers react?

6. Put a star next to your favorite version of each of the three sentences.

7. Hand in
three pages of rewritten sentences with comments
this cover sheet and the following scoring pages

Scoring Pages (Your teacher will fill out these pages.)

Module Objective
Learners will study creating emphasis and dramatic effects by varying from
conventional sentence structures.

Module Strategy

To make your sentences more dynamic, try varying their structure:
• Change subjects or move the subject of a sentence to shift the

emphasis.
• Add a few descriptive phrases before the main idea to add detail.

Be sure you haven’t overdone this technique or created confusion as you’ve
rewritten.

Rubric: This writer

____ Yes ____ No created, for each sentence, at least one rewrite moving
the subject of the sentence to shift emphasis.

Example: turning
The soda machine contained no soda but was
completely filled with bottled water, as if the school
were a health spa.

into
As if the school were a health spa, the soda
machine contained no soda but was completely
filled with bottled water.

Comments:

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____ Yes ____ No created, for each sentence, at least one rewrite

changing the subject of the sentence to shift emphasis.
Example: turning
The backpack contained all the reference books
that Sarah was using to write her paper on Cuba.

into
The reference books that Sarah was using to write
her paper on Cuba filled the backpack.

Comments:

____ Yes ____ No created, for each sentence, at least one rewrite adding
descriptive phrases before the main idea to add detail

Example: turning
Margaret’s costume was the hit of the party.

into
With its beautiful embroidery, elegant construction,
and rich silk fabric, Margaret’s costume was the hit
of the party.

Comments:

____ Yes ____ No showed sensitivity to the needs of readers in his or her
comments about the rewrites.

Comments:

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____ Yes ____ No experimented with lots of different approaches, but did

not go overboard and overwrite every rewrite.

Comments:

Summary
This writer

____ effectively uses the Varying Your Sentence Structures strategy.

____ needs more practice.

Comments/Next Steps:

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