Using a Formula to Link Sentences II

By: Sean Savoie 

In continuing with our lesson from last week, take a look at how two new complex sentence patterns can be used to create various sentences. Please keep in mind that I do not advocate writing from patterns, yet it is important for a young writer to recognize the patterns resulting from the expression of authors whom he or she admires. I do advocate imitation for the sake of learning the craft, but a writer should analyze these techniques only for the purpose of discovering his or her own style, whereupon the purposeful use of patterns becomes unnecessary. 

Read the following sentences while noticing that they vary greatly and are all built using the following pattern: adverb clause, main subject, appositive noun phrase, predicate, absolute phrase 

1)      Because he has a sharp wit and a keen, well-educated sense of humor, Jon Stewart, the host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show", has the ability to attract a surprisingly large audience, his overt sarcasm appealing to accomplished authors, actors, doctors, politicians, and fellow comedians alike. 

2)      Even though it is a large venue that seats up to 25,000 people, Madison Square Garden, the concert hall and sports arena located above Penn Station in New York City, has a unique and full sound during music performances, its unique bowl shape allowing sound waves to move smoothly to most seats in the stadium. 

3)      After it caused a negative reaction in American culture, Prohibition, the legal and social movement during which people in America were forbidden to drink alcohol, fostered the creation of the modern day mafia, alcohol being readily available in the black market for a handsome profit. 

4)      Since it is plagued with more rain than nearly any city in the United States, Seattle, the West Coast city from which so much rock music has come, attracts a unique population, its atmosphere being so suitable for people who enjoy a vigorous night life. 

5)      Although many people continue to debate about the alleged conspiracy surrounding his unfortunate execution, John F. Kennedy, once the president viewed as the truest hope for a new American era, had an extremely secretive personal life, his promiscuity surpassing even that of Bill Clinton. 

After reading the above sentences, it should be clear that a single consistent sentence pattern may contain many variations. Let us experiment with another type of sentence pattern, this time creating sentences using the following grammar ideas: absolute phrase, main subject, participial phrase, predicate, adjective clause 

1)      With the people of the United States so enamored with celebrities, Paris Hilton, spending merely a short amount of time in a low-security prison, can be seen in almost every newsmagazine, which confirms many of the stereotypes that people around the world have about the USA. 

2)      Hurricane Katrina striking with such monumental force, New Orleans, once known as the most open party city in the country, now struggles to regain its basic infrastructure, which will unfortunately require much more money than the federal government is able or willing to provide. 

3)      The players being paid more than any other baseball team, the New York Yankees, struggling to save their season, are potentially seen as a huge disappointment, which causes New Yorkers to experience both anger and frustration.