J_COMBIN.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >


Sentence Combining

In an earlier activity, to be verbs were discussed for a good reason. Verbs are the keys to strong writing. You want to use action verbs as frequently as you can; action verbs show that something is happening rather than that something simply is. 	  
	  
One way to make your verbs stronger is by combining sentences. Writers need to be on the lookout for how they can take two or three sentences that are sitting there doing nothing, and, by combining them, turn them into one sentence that has some life.


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Activity 1

Here is an example of a group of short sentences combined into one sentence:

The Volkswagen was rusty. The Volkswagen was sitting next to the garage. Three tires were flat. The Volkswagen was old. The garage was leaning.

Combined:

The old, rusty Volkswagen with three flat tires sat next to the leaning garage.


Write two more versions of a combined sentence:


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Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Activity 2

Combine the following groups of sentences into one sentence as you did above. Eliminate to be verbs whenever possible. Use combining words if necessary.

On the next screen, you'll have a chance to compare your work with Jack London's original version. You'll notice that London did use combining words. (You'll see them in bold letters.)


1. The man had finished.
2. He filled his pipe.
3. He took his time.
4. His time was comfortable.
5. He smoked.



Your Combined Sentence:

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Please save this document now.



Original:


When the man had finished, he filled his pipe and took his comfortable time over a smoke.


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Combine these sentences as you did before


6. He pulled on his mittens.
7. He settled the earflaps.
8. The earflaps were on his cap.
9. He took the left fork.
10. The left fork was of the creek trail.



Your Combined Sentence:

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Original:


Then he pulled on his mittens, settled the earflaps of his cap firmly about his ears, and took the creek trail up the left fork.



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Combine as before:

11. The dog was disappointed.
12. The dog yearned back toward the fire.



Your Combined Sentence:

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Original:


The dog was disappointed and yearned back towards the fire.


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Combine:

13. Possibly all the generations of his ancestry had been ignorant.
14. The ignorance was of cold.
15. The cold was real.
16. The cold was one hundred and seven degrees below freezing point.



Your Combined Sentence:

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Original:


Possibly all the generations of his ancestry had been ignorant of cold, real cold, of cold one hundred and seven degrees below freezing point.



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Combine:

17. But the dog knew.
18. All its ancestry knew.
19. It had inherited the knowledge.



Your Combined Sentence:

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Original:


But the dog knew; all its ancestry knew, and it had inherited the knowledge.


Excerpts from "To Build a Fire"
by Jack London


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Activity 3

Copy the paragraph you wrote for the "Show; Don't Tell" activity below at the angle brackets. Then, use your combining skills to strengthen the paragraph by using stronger verbs. Add any details you feel are necessary to create a clearer image.


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If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
Copyright Renaissance Learning, Inc.

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