SENTENCE VARIATION TECHNIQUES SVT Sentences that GO

SENTENCE VARIATION TECHNIQUES (SVT) “Sentences that GO!”

SVT 1 -3 (Rule…Example) 1. BEGIN with the SUBJECT. Spike is learning to fetch his toy. 2. BEGIN with an ARTICLE (a, an, the) and the SUBJECT The tower made of Legos collapsed. 3. BEGIN with an ADJECTIVE and the SUBJECT. Big books make big brains.

SVT 4 -6 (Rule…Example) 4. BEGIN with an ADVERB (ly ending) before the SUBJECT. Stubbornly, Freddie refused to help. 5. BEGIN with a PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE. In the camp, Roy is considered ‘weird’. 6. BEGIN with an INFINITIVE (to) as the subject. To get out of cleaning her room was Camila’s only wish.

SVT 7 -9 (Rule…Example) 7. BEGIN with a GERUND (ing words) as the subject. Hiking was not Maria’s idea of fun. 8. BEGIN with a VERB. (Yoda sentence) Join the others Margaret did not. 9. BEGIN with a CONJUNCTION. (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) But Uncles Alex and Morris did not give up.

SVT 10 -12 (Rule…Example) 10. BEGIN with an INTERJECTION. Wow – those towers are impressive! 11. BEGIN with a TRANSITIONAL word. (see HOTCASA slide) As a matter of fact, most art is not art! 12. BEGIN with a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (see WABU slide). Whenever Hector sings, people shun him.

HOTCASA (HOT CASA) • • • However, On the other hand, Therefore, Consequently, As a result,

WABU WATIST • • When, Whenever As far as, as long as Because Until • • Where, Wherever Although Before Unless • • • Why, Who After That If Since Than

SVT 13 -15 (Rule…Example) 13. STEP 1: Write a sentence using only an article (a, an, the), a noun, a verb, and the object of the verb (who the action is directed at). THE BEE STUNG ME. 14. STEP 2: Now, write the same sentence as above, but add at least one adjective (it modifies a noun) and at least one adverb (ly ending). THE ANGRY BEE STUNG ME REPEATEDLY. 15. STEP 3: Now write the same sentence as above, but add two prepositional (location/time words, see The List) phrases to it. THE ANGRY BEE WITH THE BRIGHT YELLOW MARKINGS STUNG ME REPEATEDLY WITHOUT WARNING.

SVT 16 -18 (Rule…Example) 16. STEP 4: Now, write the same sentence as SVT 15, but add at least one participial phrase (it is a gerund AND an adverb). BUZZING FURIOUSLY, THE ANGRY BEE WITH THE BRIGHT YELLOW MARKINGS STUNG ME REPEATEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. 17. STEP 5: Now, write the same sentence as above, but add at least one appositive phrase (extra info about the subject, separated by commas). BUZZING FURIOUSLY, THE ANGRY BEE WITH THE BRIGHT YELLOW MARKINGS STUNG ME, AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER, REPEATEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. 18. STEP 6: Now, write the same sentence as above, but add one more of the above steps, your choice. BUZZING FURIOUSLY, THE ANGRY BEE WITH THE BRIGHT YELLOW MARKINGS STUNG ME, AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER, ON THE LEG REPEATEDLY WITHOUT WARNING.

SVT 19 -21 (Rule…Example) 19. Asyndeton – The deliberate omission of conjunctions in a series of related clauses; it speeds the pace of the sentence. I came; I saw; I conquered. SVT 19 -21 more examples of asyndeton 20. Polysyndeton - The deliberate use of many conjunctions (FANBOYS) for special emphasis; it slows the pace of the sentence. I came and I saw and I conquered. more examples of polysyndeton 21. Anadiplosis – The repetition of the last word or group of words of one clause at the beginning of the following clause; it ties the sentence together. It is better for you to wait for your burger than for your burger to wait for you. more examples of anadiplosis

SVT 22 -23 (Rule…Example) 22. Anaphora – The repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive (one after another) clauses. Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Fear leads to hate. more examples of anaphora 23. Antimetabole - The arrangement of the ideas in the first clause is a reversal of the second clause. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. examples of antimetabole

SVT 24 -28 (Rule…Example) 24. Generalize – “All human beings have some faults. ” 25. Summarize – “All the sentence variation techniques require the writer to use different strategies. ” 26. Compare – “SVT 1 contains less information than SVT 18. ” 27. Contrast – “The last book we read, Outcasts, dealt with complicated and real-life issues; the next book we’ll read is simpler. ” 28. Cause and Effect – “If you decide not to use the writing strategies on your exam, then you will not be experience success as the person who does. ”

SVT 29 -33 (Rule…Example) 29. Opinion – “Using strategies like SVT, FL, MNM and PIC is loads of fun!” 30. Define – “Pre-AP curriculum incorporates critical thinking, analysis, interpretation and synthesis of rhetoric. ” 31. Procedure – “Square your feet and shoulders to the basket, bend your knees, release the basketball in one motion, keep eyes on basket and follow through. ” 32. Problem/Solution – “I need to improve my shooting skills, so I think I’ll take 100 practice shots tonight. ” 33. List or Examples – “A good basketball player needs patience, accuracy, discipline and focus. ”

SVT 34 -37 (Rule…Example) 34. Simple Sentence Spring is a guy’s favorite season. 35. Compound Sentence (Conjunction) Spring makes plants, trees, and grass grow, and guys love to use power tools to cut them down. 36. Complex Sentence (Comma) Whenever I get a chance, I rev up my loud power tools. 37. Compound Complex Sentence (Conjunction) It is never fun using electric-powered outdoor tools because they are not loud enough, and the point of power tools is to make lots of noise.

SVT 38 -40 (Rule…Example) 38. Compound Sentence (Semicolon) Some guys buy electrical tools to save the environment; I buy gas-powered tools because they have lots of horsepower! 39. Complex Sentence (Dashes) Most guys I know - since it’s not cool to admit it - won’t tell you they have an electrical weed eater. 40. Elliptical Sentence (Ellipsis. . . ) Horse power in tools, cars and trucks is. . . cool!