Using the same sentence structure again and again is boring
A common problem amongst beginning writers is they tend to use the same sentence structure throughout their writing, resulting in a monotonous and boring story.
The sentence structure most commonly used is:
Subject + verb + object
This problem is easily resolved by adding some linking words/phrases in front of the sentence. Linking words/phrases are simply words and phrases that link what you want to say in the sentence to the previous sentence.
Using linking words/phrases at the start of your sentence will add some variety to your sentence structure, making your writing more interesting. Not only that, they also help your story to flow more smoothly and make your story clearer to your reader (by showing cause and effect, sequence of events, etc).
Some linking words/phrases that you can add to the front of your sentences:
|
To
describe an unexpected happening
Ø Suddenly
Ø All
of a ____________________
Ø Out
of the blue
Ø Abruptly
|
To
describe an exact moment
Ø Just
at that moment
Ø Just
at that instant
Ø Just
then
|
Phrases
to show passage of a short period of time
Ø After
a short while
Ø Within
a few minutes/A few minutes later
Ø Not
long later/Soon
Ø In
no time
|
Phrases
to show Immediately
Ø Immediately
Ø Instantly/Instantaneously
Ø Without
further ado
Ø In
the nick of time
|
|
Phrases
to show passage of time
Ø After
some time
Ø Some
time later
Ø Later
in the…,
Ø Finally
Ø In
the end
Ø At
last
|
Using
Adverbs as Linking Words
Ø Unfortunately/Fortunately
Ø Coincidentally
Ø Quickly
|
|
Words/Phrases
to show two actions going on at the same time
Ø While
Ø at
the same time
Ø as…
Ø concurrently
|
Using
Emotions as Linking Words
Ø Out
of curiosity
Ø To
my shock
Ø Filled
with delight
|
|
Words/Phrases
to show cause/Reason
Ø Due
to…
Ø Because…
Ø As
Ø Since…
|
|
Here is the story for this week. Note that linking words/phrases used at the start of the sentence are in pink.
A note about content
This story is a little outdated. I first created it for my pupils in 2008. It was very popular because at that time, Mas Selamat had just escaped from prison and was still at large.
Still I decided to use this outdated story because I want to stress a point. You know the point I keep hammering about writing an original story, a story that is different from what your friends and classmates will write?
A way to do that is to use current affairs in your news. What are the current events that have captured the public's imagination? What comes to mind: the Chinese tour guide and the rich widow, City Harvest trial, etc.
Of course, to be able to do this means that you have to keep abreast of current news, which means that you need to read the newspapers.
So please do so. Not only will you improve your English, who knows, you may be able to use the news that you've read to make your story original and entertaining.
If you want to, you can download this week's assignment and sample story here.
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