How to Improve Your Sentence Structure

Summary

In this educational video, Tutor Phil introduces six techniques to enhance essay writing by improving sentence structure. He emphasizes sentence cleanup, eliminating redundancy, using active voice, removing informal phrases, and cutting out unnecessary words like 'there is' and 'the fact that.' Each technique is illustrated with examples to demonstrate how to craft more direct, concise, and impactful sentences, ultimately leading to stronger essays.

Takeaways

• 📝 Sentence Cleanup: Remove unnecessary words without changing the meaning to make sentences more concise and elegant.
• 🔍 Eliminate Repetition: Identify and remove redundant words or phrases to avoid repetition and enhance clarity.
• 🗣️ Use Active Voice: Transform passive sentences into active ones to make the writing more direct and engaging.
• 🚫 Avoid 'You': Replace sentences starting with 'you' with more formal alternatives suitable for academic or professional writing.
• 💡 Eliminate 'The Fact That': Start sentences with the actual subject instead of using the filler phrase 'the fact that'.
• 🌟 Get Rid of 'There Is/There Are': Replace this phrase with a more direct statement of the subject and verb for a stronger impact.
• 🔑 Focus on the Subject: Identify the real subject of the sentence and make it the focus for improved clarity and impact.
• ✂️ Continuous Refinement: Keep refining sentences by removing unnecessary elements until they are as concise as possible without losing meaning.
• 📉 Shorter Sentences Can Be Better: Concise sentences can be more effective if they convey the same message with fewer words.
• 📈 Expand Essays Thoughtfully: While conciseness is key, there are legitimate ways to expand essays without being wordy, which are detailed in a separate tutorial.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Tutor Phil?

The main topic of the video is to provide six simple techniques for improving sentence structure in essays.

What is the first technique mentioned by Tutor Phil for sentence improvement?

The first technique is called 'sentence cleanup', which involves removing unnecessary words without losing the sentence's meaning.

How many steps are there in the 'sentence cleanup' technique?

There are two steps in the 'sentence cleanup' technique: 1) Ask if you can cut out words without losing meaning, and 2) Repeat this process until the sentence can no longer be shortened without losing meaning.

Can you provide an example of sentence cleanup from the video?

An example given is changing 'Many people say that when childhood finishes, problems begin to exist' to 'Many people say that when childhood finishes, problems begin' by removing the unnecessary verb 'to exist'.

What is the purpose of eliminating repetition in sentences?

Eliminating repetition makes sentences more concise, clear, and elegant by removing redundant or synonymous words.

How does using the active voice improve a sentence?

Using the active voice makes a sentence more direct and engaging by clearly identifying the subject performing the action.

What is the fourth technique mentioned by Tutor Phil for sentence improvement?

The fourth technique is to get rid of the word 'you' to make sentences more formal and suitable for academic or professional documents.

Why should the phrase 'the fact that' be avoided in writing?

'The fact that' is considered a junk phrase that can be removed to make sentences more direct and focused on the actual subject.

What is the issue with starting sentences with 'there is' or 'there are'?

'There is' and 'there are' are junk phrases that can make sentences needlessly lengthy and can be replaced with a more direct approach focusing on the real subject.

What should be done if removing words results in a significantly shorter essay?

If the essay becomes too short, Tutor Phil suggests looking at his blog for a tutorial on four effective ways to expand an essay while maintaining quality.

How does the technique of removing 'you' from sentences improve formality in writing?

Removing 'you' helps to avoid directly addressing the reader, which can be informal. It shifts the focus to the subject matter, making the sentence more suitable for academic or professional settings.