The Sunday News
Charles Dube
USING connectors — One way to combine sentences is to join them with words called connecters. Certain marks of punctuation can also join sentences. Connectors are words that join equal parts together. The first connectors we will work with are; and, but, or, for, yet, so, and nor. The following examples show how these combinations work:
Sentences: Jane cleaned the floor. Sarah washed the dishes. Combined: Jane cleaned the floor and Sarah washed the dishes.
Sentences: This tree will have to be treated for termites. It will have to be cut down. Combined: This tree will have to be treated for termites, or I will have to cut it down. The word nor is different from other connecting words because it causes a change in word order. Also, since nor means not, the word not in one of the sentences must be removed.
For example, note this in the following sentences: I don’t want to go to town. I don’t want to go for swimming. Combined: I don’t want to go to town, nor do I want to go for swimming. Connecting words do more than join sentences, they also add meaning. Follow the given examples in this order, word and meaning: and — plus, in addition; but — on the other hand, an exception, an opposite; for — because, as a result; or — either one or the other; yet — still, nevertheless; in spite of, so — consequently, as a result, thus; nor — not, not either.
Adverbs that connect sentences. Another group of words that connect sentences are adverbs such as however, therefore, instead, besides, furthermore, nevertheless, consequently, moreover, on the other hand, indeed and in fact. These adverbs show that special kinds of relationships exist between two sentences. However, instead, on the other hand, and nevertheless show that one idea is followed by an opposite idea.
Therefore and consequently suggest that a conclusion is being made. Besides, furthermore, and moreover signal that some additional point, idea or detail will follow. Indeed and in fact, emphasise the writer’s point. Following is an exercise on joining sentences with adverbs done for you: Sentences: Melissa studied very hard for the test. She knew the exercise by heart.
Combined: Melissa studied very hard for the test; in fact, she knew the exercise by heart.
The supply of salmon in the lake was dangerously low. Fishing was banned for the entire season. Combined: The supply of salmon in the lake was dangerously low; therefore, fishing was banned for the entire season. Sibongile had been very ill. She recovered faster than anyone had thought possible. Combined: Sibongile had been very ill; however, she recovered faster than anyone had thought possible.
Sentences: Three times John had tried to win the Victoria Falls marathon. He had tried to win every major race in the country. Combined: Three times John had tried to win the Victoria Falls marathon, indeed, he had tried to win every major race in the country. We were denied permission to get into the hostel. We would have to pay for previous term’s damages.
Combined: We were denied permission to get into the hostel, moreover, we would have to pay for last term’s damages.
Lizwe teased the dog by kicking it. The dog bit him. Combined: Lizwe teased the dog by kicking it; consequently, the dog bit him. Sentences: The river was too deep and the current too strong to get through. The rafting party had to carry their equipment around the rapids. Combined: The river was too deep and the current too strong to get through; therefore the rafting party had to carry their equipment around the rapids.
It seemed foolish for the search party to go any further that night.
They might have better weather tomorrow. Combined: It seemed foolish for the search party to go any further that night; besides, they might have better weather tomorrow. Before I end this week’s article which has mainly been on sentence construction may I revert to writing from experience. Let us consider writing about people, generally referred to as characterisation.
The aim of writing about people is make them seem real to readers. Readers want to be able to imagine how the people they read about look, so descriptions of people include details of physical appearance. To help you think about physical appearance, ask yourself questions like these: What physical features do you remember most? It is said that everyone has features that stand out more than others; beautiful hair, delicate, round chin, long fingers.
How does the person usually dress? Does the person keep up with latest styles? Does the person wear especially colourful clothes? How does the person stand and move? Does the person stand upright tend to slump over? What is the person’s voice like? Is it loud or soft? Is the voice pleasant or unpleasant? Another part of describing a person is telling what the person is like on the inside. Describing the inner part of a person means writing about personality. Personality is what makes one person think and act differently from another.
Examples: Some of your colleagues may be shy and another outgoing. One way to describe personality is to make direct statements about people: Peter loves animals. But this is not the best. Another way is to reveal personality by showing how people behave and hat they say. Then readers decide for themselves what a person is like inside. For example, instead of saying directly that Peter loves animals, you can describe the way he behaves.
When writing about your experiences, you often write about action. Action seems real to readers when they can see and hear it.
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