SENTENCE LENGTHS

Apply different sentence lengths to texts according to the structure and effect.

SENTENCE LENGTHS

Sentence Lengths

Warm up:

Extract from the lyric sentences from different lengths

SHORTLONG VERY LONG

Why this way:

and not this one:

There was just a small town girlwho was living in a lonely world, so she took the midnight train to go anywhere. There was just a city boy who was born and raised in South Detroit. He also took the midnight train to go anywhere.

Just a small town girl Livin' in a lonely world She took the midnight train goin' anywhere Just a city boy Born and raised in South Detroit He took the midnight train goin' anywher

Different types of sentences serve different purposes:

Simple sentences

• Speed things up in a fast-paced narrative with lots of action.
• Emphasise a point
• Make text easier to read than complex or compound sentences.
• Create atmosphere
• Make good topic sentences in a paragraph

Compound sentences

• Express more difficult concepts, linking ideas together in a complex way.
• Build up detail to create dramatic effect
• Emphasise the importance of apparently insignificant detail
• Lengthen time and action, possibly to heighten the drama of a scene

Complex or compound-complex sentences:

• are useful if your writing is very concerned with cause and effect.

Which types of sentences does the song have? Which are the purposes?

Most of you probably watched the Olympic Games on television. What exciting moments they provided! Big screens, digital clarity, and bright colours brought the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletes' moments of triumph direct to our homes. We were part of a billion-strong audience, people sharing the same experiencies worldwide. Countries with infinitesimal numbers of contestants held their breath as much as those who competed in every final; national pride was measured in equal proportions whoever we were. We were lucky to be alive!

Read this extract from 'TV worlwide'

Answer the following questions:

a. Discuss how many sentences you think there are in this paragraph- be careful.b. In the third sentence there is only one verb. What makes it such a long sentence? c. The fourth sentence also has one verb, but it is a different type of sentence. How does 'people sharing the same experiences worldwide' relate to the word 'audience'? d. Look at the second and the last sentences. Why are they so effective? What effect does the exclamation mark have?

YOUR TURN TO CREATE

Write two (2) verses that rhyme with the song: 1. using different types of sentences (one with simple and the other with compound or complex) 2. Explain the reasons why you chose those sentences length and share the verse with the class next week. 3. Turn your new verses, reasons and types of sentences in to Teams assignments

These are two verses of the song

¡GRACIAS!