Found on pages: 112-116 in the Writer’s Reference

~S6 a,b,c,d and e.

Presented by:

Mr. Montoye

and Miss Arend

Sentence Emphasis OverviewSentence Emphasis Overview

As a writer you want to make sure you clearly make your point known. You want to express it in the subject and the verb of an independent clause. These are the words that should receive the most attention. Within longer stretches of prose, you are able to draw attention to the most important ideas by using new techniques.

I. I. Coordinate equal ideas;Coordinate equal ideas; subordinate minor ideas.subordinate minor ideas.

• You have the option of choosing coordination or subordination.

Coordination: Items are equal or nearly equal in importance.

Subordination: Indicate that one idea is less important than another.

Coordination Coordination

How do you coordinate single words or phrases?1. Coordinating Conjunctions

2. Pair of Correlative Conjunctions

To coordinate independent clauses join them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon.

*Usually the semicolon is used with a transitional phrase or conjunctive adverb.

SubordinationSubordination

Basically, express the major idea in an independent clause and place any minor ideas in subordinate clauses or phrases.

• They cannot stand alone• Typically begin with subordinate clauses

Examples of subordinate clauses or relative pronouns: after, since, while, whose

An Example of EachAn Example of Each

Coordination: I made chicken parmesan for dinner, but I burnt it.I made chicken parmesan for dinner; however, we ended

up ordering pizza.

Subordination:I sometimes eat dessert before dinner. Especially when its

chocolate cake. Unless it’s chocolate cake I usually eat my dinner before

my dessert.

II. II. Combine Choppy SentencesCombine Choppy Sentences

• Short sentence’s are used primarily to draw attention.

• They are used primarily for emphasis.

• However, too many choppy sentences affects the flow and creates a choppy style.

• If an idea is not important enough to stand alone try combining it with a sentence close by.

An ExampleAn Example

I drink milk with my lunch. I eat an apple too. My mom makes good sandwiches. I use a brown paper bag.

Correct:

In my brown paper bag lunch my mom makes me good sandwiches and packs me a cartoon of milk, and an apple.

III. Avoid Ineffective CoordinationIII. Avoid Ineffective Coordination

• DO NOT use a coordinate clause if the attention should be equally shared.

• DO NOT use if a coordinating conjunction does not clearly signal the relation between the ideas.

An ExampleAn Example

It took thirty minutes to get our food at the restaurant, and the food was cold when we got it, but it was the best porter house steak I ever had.

Correct:

After thirty minutes, we finally got our cold food, but it was the best porter house steak I ever had.

IV. Do Not Subordinate Major IdeasIV. Do Not Subordinate Major Ideas

Sometimes a sentence buries its major idea in subordinate construction. This cause the readers to not give the main idea enough attention. You should express the major idea in an independent clause and subordinate any minor ideas.

An ExampleAn Example

Gordon’s fish sticks, made in California, taste like they are freshly caught out of the ocean.

Gordon’s fish sticks, taste like they are freshly caught out of the ocean. They are actually made in California.

V. Do Not Subordinate V. Do Not Subordinate ExcessivelyExcessively

Indeed, as a writer you want to combine sentences if necessary, but be careful not to go overboard with putting subordinate ideas in. What happens is the sentence gets overloaded and collapses. Sometimes it can be restructured but usually it is best to break up the sentences.

AnAn ExampleExample

My ice cream sundae started to topple over after the excessive toppings that I kept adding, which caused me to have to get another bowl, but it also allowed me to get a piece of cake too.

Correct:

My ice cream sundae started to topple over after the excessive toppings that I kept adding. It caused me to have to get another bowl; but also allowed me to get a piece of cake too.

ConclusionConclusion

By using these techniques we taught you should be able to spice up your writing by trying these out. Also, these will help with the flow of your paper and emphasizing the main ideas.