Writing Sentences

You have come so far now working on this writing project assignment for class. Maybe you’re getting ready to draft with pages of notes about what you want to say, or you’re reviewing your most recent draft considering new ideas for how best to communicate what you want to say to others. Maybe the words are pouring out so quickly your fingers can barely keep up, tapping the keys or gripping the pen. You’re a track star soaring over each hurdle in your lane. Or, maybe the words are coming more slowly. You have to stop before each hurdle then leap over it with two feet. Either way, you’re getting it done.

Yet, at some point you realize as you re-read what you wrote, or as a reviewer points out, portions of what you wrote—your words, your sentences—aren’t working. Just like the work of every other writer—experienced or novice—your project needs attention on the sentence-level.

In this chapter you’ll study what research shows about issues of style and grammar in writing, which may surprise you, and you’ll develop strategies to become your best self-editor.