SENTENCE STYLE EXERCISES Antithesis Rewrite the following sentences

SENTENCE STYLE EXERCISES

Antithesis Rewrite the following sentences using parallel structures to express antithesis. e. g. A good writer depends on educated friends to help with proofreading, and never uses only the computer’s spell checking feature. A good writer depends on educated friends, not just the computer’s spell checker, to help with proofreading

■ 1. Helene never wore a trendy outfit to work, and she didn’t put on office wear for partying, either. ■ Helene matched her style to her setting: no trendy outfits to work and no office wear to parties ■ 2. A few vivid adjectives add liveliness to your writing, while using too many can slow down your reader. ■ A few vivid adjectives make your writing lively; too many make it boring.

■ 3. In times of war, people become patriotic, while when there is peace they grow highly critical of their nation. ■ In times of war, people become patriotic; in times of peace, they become rebellious. ■ 4. We weren’t getting anywhere in the department meeting; it seemed that our discussions were pointless. ■ In our department meeting, we weren’t getting anywhere; we were going nowhere.

Nominalization ■ Nominalization: English has many suffixes (-ion, -ment, -ing, etc. ) that turn verbs into nouns. Substituting a noun (recommendation) for a verb (recommend) is called nominalization ■ E. g. ■ Nominalized: The council made a recommendation for the provision of additional accommodation of stationary cars. ■ Direct: The council recommended more parking spaces. ■ Sometimes direct use is easier to understand

Rewrite the following sentences using a more direct style ■ 1. With the replacement of other forms of communication by texting and tweeting, the loss of touch between the younger and older generations continues. ■ As texting and tweeting replace other forms of communication, young people continue to lose touch with older folks. ■ 2. Discussion of the technology gap would be the point of this workshop for parents and teenagers. ■ This workshop focuses on the technology gap between parents and teenagers.

■ 3. The uplifting of the spirit and the encouragement of noble efforts are goals of our religion. ■ Our religion aims to uplift the spirit and encourage noble efforts. ■ 4. The committee had expectations that the acceptance of their report would be forthcoming. ■ The committee expected their report to be accepted soon. ■ 5. The discrepancy in the test scores has prompted an investigation by the state board of education. ■ The state board of education will investigate the discrepancy in test scores.

■ 6. Gaining power through the favoring of certain groups can create the depopularization of a senator. ■ Candidates who gain power through favoritism can lose popularity. ■ 7. Behind the destruction of any state lies a foundation of corruption. ■ States are destroyed by corruption.

Avoiding Gender Language ■ Eliminate the male focus from the following sentences without changing the meaning. Some sentences need revision of pronouns, and some need revision for other gendered usage. ■ 1. Work is one of man’s great pleasures, if he chooses his vocation carefully. ■ Work is one of our great pleasures, if we choose our vocations carefully. ■ 2. Nowadays, almost every citizen must pay some of his bills over the Internet. ■ Nowadays, almost every citizen must pay some bills over the Internet. ■ 3. Gertie’s mother is a computer repairman for IBM. ■ Gertie’s mother repairs computers for IBM.

■ 4. This modern corporation provides social activities not only for workers, but for their wives and children, too. ■ This modern corporation provides social activities not only for workers but for their families too. ■ 5. Clyde was patched up by a woman doctor at the emergency room after his accident. ■ After his accident, Clyde was patched up by a doctor at the emergency room. ■ 6. After our reorganization, everyone was happy in his own way. ■ After our reorganization, all the workers were happy in their own ways.

■ 7. We need someone to man the fireworks booth while Clive goes to the emergency room. ■ We need someone to staff the fireworks booth while Clive goes to the emergency room. ■ 8. The chairman of the committee abstains except in cases of a tie vote. ■ The chair of the committee abstains except in cases of a tie vote.