英语写作基础教程(effective Sentences 1)

Do not use a dangling modifier or put a modifier far from the word it modifies.
Do not use different forms to express parallel ideas. E.g. Do not make unnecessary shifts in person and number, and the voice, tense or mood of verbs. E.g.
(Unity does not mean a writer can write only simple sentences.)
A long sentence expresses ideas that are closely connected. They are either ① A central idea supported or modified by various subordinate ideas, or ② Two or more related parallel ideas. e.g. The explorer who has just returned from the Antarctic is busy
Go on to p13 (after break)
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Effective Sentences
Aim: Qualities of an effective sentence and ways to achieve effectiveness. Correctness alone cannot make a good sentence because it may not express the idea it intends to express very clearly or forcefully. It has to be effective at the same time.
Do not make unnecessary or confusing shifts in person, number, tense, mood, and voice.
Students should learn to analyze and solve problems independently. Don’t rely on your teachers’ help. They should not rely on their teachers’ help. (mood) Those who want to join the chorus should sign your name on this sheet or paper. their names (person and number) He looks up difficult words in his dictionaries, and it is very helpful. which is (person: wrong modifier/antecedent) She reviewed the lesson taught last week and all the exercises assigned by the teacher were done. did all the exercises assigned by the teacher. (person)
writing reports on his adventures on that ice-covered continent, where he did not see any animals except penguins.
(The central idea: The explorer is writing reports on his adventures in the Antarctic.)


① ② ③ ④ ⑤
Qualities of an effective sentence:
Unity Coherence Conciseness Emphasis Variety
Unity
Unity means that ① there is only one main idea in a sentence; and that ② that idea is complete.
Do not use different forms to express parallel ideas.
A man is judged not only by what he says but also by his deeds. A man is judged not only by his words but also by his deeds. (?1) We thought she was charming, intelligent, and a very capable young woman. We thought she was charming, intelligent, and very capable. (?2) We have great faith and high hopes for her. We have great faith in and high hopes for her. This composition is quite good as far as the use of language is concerned, but its content is poor. The language of this composition is quite good but its content is rather poor. (?3) Back
unity
Born in a small town in South China in the early 50s, he grew up to be a famous musician. (The two parts of the original sentence are not logically connected, because a man born in a small town in South China in the early 50s would not necessarily become a famous musician. ) He was born in a small town in South China in the early 50s. In his childhood he liked to sing songs. Later he entered a conservatory. In the 70s he became a famous musician. Dream of the Red Mansions is the best-known novel. (This seems to be a correct sentence, but its meaning is not complete. “The best-known novel” should have been modified.) Dream of the Red Mansions is one of the best-known classical Chinese novel. Of all written before the 20th century Dream of the Red Mansions is perhaps the most popular. #
Do not make unnecessary or confusing shifts in person, number, tense, mood, and voice.
The explosion destroyed the building and a number of people were injured. The explosion destroyed the building and injured a number of people. (person) (?1: voice agreement) In the explosion the building was destroyed and a number of people injured. (voice) A lot of higher houses were built around hers in the past few years and she gets no more sunlight. A lot of higher buildings have been built around hers in recent years and as a result she gets no more sunlight. (tense) (?2: in any other way?) A lot of higher buildings were built around hers and as a result she got no more sunlight. (tense) # Back
I read an interesting story in a magazine about sportsmen. I read in a magazine an interesting story about sportsmen. In a magazine I read an interesting story about sportsmen. The idea he mentioned at first sounded good. The idea he first mentioned sounded good. The idea he mentioned sounded good at first. He gave a reason for not attending the meeting, which nobody believed. He gave a reason, which nobody believed, for not attending the meeting. He gave a reason for not attending the meeting, a reason which nobody believed. Back