Why is it important to var

y sentence structure?
Too many simple and compound sentences can make
writing sound choppy, but too many complex and
compound-complex sentences can make writing difficult
to follow. Strive for a balance by combining sentences of
various structures and lengths throughout your paper.

Sentence Types
Simple sentence: A sentence with one independent clause and no depe
ndent clauses.
Examples:
The cell phone rang right before class.
My aunt enjoyed taking the hayride with you.

 Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple independent clauses but

no dependent clauses.
Examples:
The cell phone rang right before class, so the student quickly turned off
her phone's ringer.
The clown frightened the little girl, and she ran off screaming.

 Complex Sentence: A sentence with one independent clause and at leas

t one dependent clause.
Examples:
To avoid an interruption during class, the student turned off her phon
e's ringer.
After Mary added up all the sales, she discovered that the lemonade sta
nd was 32 cents short.

 Complex-Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple independent cl

auses and at least one dependent clause.
Example:
In order to keep her attention focused on class activities, the student tu
rned off her phone's ringer, and she put her ear buds in her backpack.

Strategies for Variation

1. Vary the rhythm by alternating short and long sentences.
Several sentences of the same length can make for bland writing. To enli
ven paragraphs, write sentences of different lengths. This will also allow f
or effective emphasis.
2. Vary sentence openings.
If too many sentences start with the same word, especially The, It, This, or
I, prose can grow tedious for readers, so changing opening words and phr
ases can be refreshing.

When several sentences have similar patterns or rhythms, try using the following kinds of
words to shake up the writing.

1. Dependent markers
Put clauses and phrases with the listed dependent markers at the beginni
ng of some sentences instead of starting each sentence with the subject:
after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in or
der to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, a
nd while

2. Transitional words and phrases

Vary the rhythm by adding transitional words at the beginning of some se
ntences:
accordingly, after all, afterward, also, although, and, but, consequently, de
spite, earlier, even though, for example, for instance, however, in conclusio
n, in contrast, in fact, in the meantime, in the same way, indeed, just as... s
o, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, not only... but also, now, on the con
trary, on the other hand, on the whole, otherwise, regardless, shortly, simil
arly, specifically, still, that is, then, therefore, though, thus, yet

If your writing contains lots of short sentences that give it a choppy rhythm, consider these tips.

1. Combine Sentences With Conjunctions:

Join complete sentences, clauses, and phrases with conjunctions:
and, but, or, nor, yet, for, so
2. Link Sentences Through Subordination:
Link two related sentences to each other so that one carries the main idea
and the other is no longer a complete sentence (subordination). Use connect
ors such as the ones listed below to show the relationship.
after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, if
only, rather than, since, that, though, unless, until, when, where, whereas, wh
erever, whether, which, while