Varying Sentence Structure

Do all of your sentences begin with “I,“ “we,” or a proper noun? Do all of them start with the word “the?” If so, this is a must-read for you. Writing that consists of simple sentences can seem very monotonous to readers and does not keep them engaged. You want there to be a flow to your passage. You do NOT want the reader to struggle getting through it, stopping and starting abruptly. Below are three key sentence variation strategies for bringing your passage from uninteresting to attention-grabbing.

Ways to vary sentence structure:

1.    Sentence Style/Structure

When it comes to sentence style and structure, I am mostly referring to the order of sentence elements. Although sentences should follow the basic sentence structure, they do not always have to be written in the order of subject, verb, and then object. We vary the way we speak, so we should do the same when we write. Sentence style and structure also pertains to the way phrases or clauses are combined. Playing with sentence order by adding, changing, or combining various elements can add pizzazz to a story.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Changing the subject
• Starting a sentence with an adverb
• Starting a sentence with a prepositional phrase
• Starting a sentence with a transition word or phrase
• Using compound sentences (two independent clauses tied together with a coordinating conjunction)
• Using complex sentences (sentences with a dependent and an independent clause)
• Using compound-complex sentences (sentences that contain multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause)
• Adding prepositional phrases

Here is an example:

• She waited for the bus. She got on the bus. There were no seats.  For the first sentence, try starting with an adverb and changing the subject. Then add a dependent clause to the second sentence and combine it with the third sentence with a coordinating conjunction to make a complex-compound sentence. Notice how much more interesting it becomes.
• Patiently, Camille waited for the bus. When it arrived, she got on the bus, but there were no seats.  Varying sentence style and structure can help keep your passage from sounding repetitive. It is very similar to word choice. If you use the same words or the same sentence structure throughout your story, readers quickly become bored, no matter what the topic may be.

2.    Sentence Length

Variety can also be as simple as using both short and long sentences throughout the passage. If a story consists of only brief sentences, there is no rhythm or flow. When there is a mix of both, it creates a rhythm that makes it much easier for the reader to follow. It allows for better comprehension, as well.  You can use short sentences to make a specific point, and longer sentences can go into more detail regarding the subject.

Read this paragraph consisting of only simple sentences. What do you notice?

My alarm did not go off this morning. I missed the train. I got to work late. My coffee spilled all over my blouse. I did not have anything to change into. The prospective employee was already waiting for me. It was embarrassing. Some of the interview questions were about punctuality and professional appearance. I hired the person on the spot. What a day!

Combine some of the sentences or lengthen them by adding transition words or phrases, and leave others short. You can see how this adds emphasis to the short sentences. It also adds to the flow and gives the paragraph somewhat of a rhythm.

My alarm did not go off this morning. Consequently, I missed the train and got to work late. Then, my coffee spilled all over my blouse, and I did not have anything to change into. The prospective employee was already waiting for me. Needless to say, it was embarrassing because some of the interview questions were about punctuality and professional appearance. I hired the person on the spot. What a day!

Be very careful, though, when creating compound and complex sentences. You want to ensure that that you are not using run-on sentences, as this will also make it difficult for the reader to follow.

3.    Sentence Type

Do you want to add a little more variety? Try changing the types of sentences that you use. You can use declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences all in one passage. See how easy it is!

Use exclamatory sentences to add urgency or excitement. Interrogative sentences can help to organize a passage but can also help to engage the reader. They are a great way to clue the reader in on what the next section will be discussing.

When your passage contains sentences that vary in structure, length, and type, it tends to have a better flow. Additionally, it adds a tone or voice to your writing. They must, however, still be grammatically correct. It is always a good idea to have someone else read your writing. Reading it out loud is especially helpful, as well. These are very helpful ways to catch mistakes before your writing is out in the world.

And what does all this lead to? In case you didn’t already guess—It leads to readers who want to keep reading!

Heather Malone writes children’s books that focus mainly on Montessori education, special education, and nonfiction. She also dabbles in fiction. Her nonfiction book, Montessori from A to Z, was published in 2023, and her blog on homeschooling students with disabilities using the Montessori method can be viewed at spedmontessorisolutions.com. Her passion is education, which is evidenced by spending over twenty-five years in the field before leaving the classroom to now provide technical assistance to school districts. She lives with her husband and son in Ohio and enjoys traveling to new places in her free time.