The following patterns are greatly expanded upon in The Art of Styling Sentences by
Waddell, Esch, and Walker. Look for these patterns in published writing. Practice
these patterns by focusing on one pattern a day and then writing 3-5 sentences that
follow the example.
PATTERN 1: Compound Sentence: Semicolon, No Conjunction
(two short, related sentences now joined)
S V ; S V.
Try on this dress; it seems to be your size.
PATTERN 1A: Involves the use of conjunctive adverbs (connectors) such as however,
hence, therefore, thus, then, moreover, nevertheless, likewise,
consequently, accordingly
S V ; however, S V. The use of a comma after the connector is
optional.
This gadget wont work; therefore there is no sense in buying
it.
PATTERN 1B: Use a coordinating conjunction (also a connector) such as and, or, for,
but, nor,
yet, so
S V ; S V , and S V.
S V , but S V ; S V.
It was radical; it was daring; but mostly it was cheap.
PATTERN 1C: Three shorter related sentences now joined.
S V ; S V ; S V.
To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too
much for ornamentation is affection; to make judgment wholly
by their rules is the humor of a scholar.
PATTERN 2: Compound Sentence with Elliptical Construction
(comma indicates the omitted verb)
S V DO or SC ; S , DO or SC.
This pattern is really the same as PATTERN 1, but here the verb in the
second
clause is omitted BECAUSE and ONLY IF it would needlessly repeat the
verb of
the first clause.
A red light means stop; a green light, go.
PATTERN 3: Compound Statement with Explanatory Statement
(clauses separated by a colon)
General statement (idea) : specific statement (example) .
(an independent clause)
(an independent clause)
Darwins Origin of Species forcibly states a harsh truth: only the fittest
survive.
PATTERN 4: A SERIES WITHOUT A CONJUNCTION
(a series in any part of the sentence)
A, B, C
.
The players formed a circle around the coach, yelling, ranting,
raving.
PATTERN 4a:
such that
so that
both and
not only but also
S V .
Days passed.
PATTERN 20: THE DELIBERATE FRAGMENT
Merely part of a sentence.
All to no avail.