For good writers! How do I use varying sentence structures?

Question

I am trying to make my essay and writing in general less boring and trite. Any tips? I would like some examples please. I think using a variety of sentence structures would make my writing easier to read and keep the reader’s attention better. All I know how to use is pretty much the most basic and common sentence structure like this sentence and all of the previous ones. =D Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Okay...here goes.  I am going to rewrite your question.

In my attempt to make my writing less boring and trite, I might change the structure of my sentences.  Advice would be most appreciated.  Using a varied sentence structure can be a magnet in holding the readers attention.  A repeated sentence structure leads the reader to boredom and dropping my essay into the wastebasket.  I am, therefore, about to write with this in mind.  Just you watch.  You will be sitting for hours reading my essays!

Answer 2

Gingerj1 is a better writer than I am, so I won't even try to one-up them.

But as an occasional professional high-school essay grader, I can tell you this:

-- use colorful language, avoiding cliches if you can.  It's not that hard to pause before a sentence and think about how to be unpredictable in your approach to it.  Ask yourself, "Is what I'm writing obvious?"

('Color' is not a string of adjectives, nor is it slang. One or two concrete images, or a short ironic aside, can suffice.)

-- Count the words in your sentences.  Change it up.  There should be sentences five words long, and others 50 words long.  20-30 is the average for an uninspired writer.  Trust me.  But, then, don't force yourself into grammatical acrobatics, either.  

Basically, use your natural voice, but challenge yourself to avoid the 20 to 30-word comfort zone.  It's easier than you think.

-- If you're still stuck, pull these gimmicks out of your pocket.  (Then practice, to sound less gimmicky.)  

1)Loooong sentence, short one (this is an easy way to inject humor -- definite bonus for essay scorers). Medium one.  Repeat.  Randomize.

2)Verbalicious sentence, adjective-aricious sencence, noun-uous sentence.  (This way, you're skirting the adjective-noun-verb habit). When you start to get a pattern -- abandon it.

--Practice using dashes (but please don't overuse them like I do), semi-colons, and colons, until you're comfortable.  Even harder -- write sentences with no punctuation (yet they must still be gramatically correct, natch).

Good luck.  Breathe and be yourself, if all else fails.  KNOW that you are as smart as your test scorer.  I should know.