Writing Strategies | 6 Ways to Start a Sentence | Sentence Structure | Learn to Write

Summary

This video provides six effective ways to start a sentence, helping make writing less intimidating. It covers techniques like starting with the subject, using location or time indicators, asking questions, starting with an -ing phrase, or utilizing -ly adverbs. Each method is illustrated with examples, and viewers are reminded to use proper punctuation, like commas, when necessary. The video encourages writers to plan these sentence starters in advance to enhance their writing and make it more dynamic and engaging. Ultimately, the goal is to demonstrate that writing doesn't have to be terrifying when you know how to start your sentences creatively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Starting sentences with the subject and verb is one of the best ways to begin a sentence, ensuring clarity and structure.
• 😀 You can start a sentence by indicating where or whenGenerate key takeaways something happens, using phrases like 'on the beach' or 'after school'.
• 😀 Asking a question at the start of a sentence grabs the reader's attention, but make sure to answer it in the following sentence.
• 😀 Sentences can begin with an action ending in 'ing' (e.g., 'Looking at the clock, she realized...') to create a dynamic introduction.
• 😀 You can also start with an 'ed' word, such as 'Frightened by the loud fireworks, the dog hid under the table'.
• 😀 Starting sentences with 'ly' adverbs (e.g., 'Carefully, she tiptoed...') can add emphasis and mood to the action.
• 😀 Remember to use commas when starting sentences with 'ing', 'ed', or 'ly' words to ensure proper grammar.
• 😀 Planning ahead and using these various sentence starters can help make writing less intimidating and more creative.
• 😀 Experimenting with different sentence openings can diversify your writing and keep it engaging for readers.
• 😀 Writing doesn't have to be scary—by practicing sentence variety, you can improve your writing style and flow.

Q & A

What is one of the best ways to start a sentence?

One of the best ways to start a sentence is by putting the subject first, followed by the verb.

What is the subject of a sentence?

The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about.

Can you give examples of sentences where the subject comes first?

Examples include 'I cooked spaghetti', 'The dog ran home', and 'John read a book'.

What is another way to start a sentence, besides the subject-verb structure?

Another way is to start with words that tell you where or when something happens, such as 'On the beach' or 'After school'.

Why is it important to use a comma when starting with a location or time?

A comma is used to separate the introductory phrase (like location or time) from the rest of the sentence to avoid confusion.

How can asking a question help in writing?

Starting a sentence with a question makes the reader think, engaging them and prompting curiosity.

Can you provide examples of sentences that begin with a question?

Examples include 'Which songs do you like best?' and 'Who is the richest person in the world?'

What are ing phrases, and how can they start a sentence?

An ing phrase is a phrase starting with a verb ending in 'ing'. For example, 'Looking at the clock, she realized she was going to be late'.

How can ed words start a sentence?

Starting with a word ending in 'ed' can also be a way to begin a sentence, such as 'Frustrated by the delay, he left the room'.

What is the purpose of using adverbs ending in 'ly' to start a sentence?

Using adverbs that end in 'ly' at the beginning of a sentence, such as 'Carefully' or 'Hungrily', helps set the tone or mood of the action.