Sentence Pattern Sets
Competent writers use a variety of sentences to express their thoughts, so it should come as no surprise to discover that a writing course would incorporate practice in the writing of various kinds of sentences. In the course of learning these sentence patterns, you will also become familiar with the rules of punctuation, and, hopefully, with some of the patterns of grammar.
DIRECTIONS: There are 7 sets (assignments) of sentence patterns to be completed during the semester. Consult the class schedule for the due dates. The sentence patterns are found in textbook The Art of Styling Sentences by Marie L. Waddell.
First: Read the Introduction and Chapter One in the text which contain directions, explanations, and some key terms: You will need to know the definitions of a sentence, a clause (both dependent and independent), and a phrase. In addition, you will need to know the several kinds of sentences, and the several types, as well as the parts of speech.
Second: Consult the Waddell book as each assignment becomes due. Read the relevant pages in the text, reviewing the patterns and the examples. Then make up 3 examples (sentences) of your own for each pattern, and turn in the assignment the day it is due (Late assignments are penalized 5 points per day). You will earn 1 point for each correct sentence. There will be 183 points possible for the series. There are 20 basic sentence patterns plus some variations which make up a total of 31 patterns divided into Sets as follows:
Set #1. Patterns 1, 1A, 1B, 1C
Set #2. Patterns 2, 3, 4, 4a,
Set #3 .Pattens 5, 6, 7, 7a
Set #4. Patterns 8, 9, 9a, 10, 10a,
Set #5. Patterns 11, 11a, 12, 13, 14
Set #6. Patterns 15, 15a, 16, 16a
Set #7. Patterns 17, 18, 19, 19a, 20
Third: It is expected that you will familiarize yourself with the 20 sentence patterns and the variations, and that you will incorporate them into your essays throughout the semester. If you do, you will recieve additional credit on your essays.
Fourth: See Chapter 3 for additional combinations and expansions of the above sentence patterns.
Fifth: Consult Chapter 4 for examples of “Figurative language in sentences” (simile, metaphor, analogy, allusion, irony, hyperbole and understatement).
Sixth: See chapter 5 for examples of the 20 Sentence Patterns in print (sample essay). In addition, the rules of punctuation are listed (pp. 140 - 144).