Sentence Composing- # 1- Chunking Sentences

As a writer, you may already notice how sentences can be divided into chunks.  Sentences can be divided into subjects, predicates, phrases, and clauses.  Understanding how sentences can be chunks can make a more in-depth reader and a better writer by seeing relationships with in a sentence.

Example: 

She made stuffed pork chops/with applesauce and mashed potatoes/and it tasted/like cardboard

--Frank McCourt, Teacher Man

The family was grouped by the front door/the mother's hands resting/on her children's shoulders

--Ian McEwan, Enduring Love

Practice:

Directions: Copy the model and then copy the sentence that can be divided into chunks that match the chunks in the model

1. Model: Outside, I found a taxi for her.

--Maya Angelou, The Heart of a Woman

a. Slowly, the cat jumped and landed quietly.

b. Nearby, Akeelah had a dictionary in hand.

2. Model: The toppled to one side, crumpled against the railing, dead.

--Robert Ludlum, The Prometheus Deception

a. The car, swerving to avoid the child, hit a guardrail, loudly.

b. The winner jumper from her seat, overwhelmed by the applause, joyous.

3. Model: He turned slowly and stood a moment longer, a faceless silhouette against the light.

--Morris West, The Clowns of God

a. Morris spoke quickly and complained a while longer, a disgruntled customer in the manager's office.

b. Beautifully, Clara sang, winning first place in the contest, her competitors not even close.

Directions: Copy the model and then copy the sentence that imitates it.  Then chunk both into the same sentence parts, using the slash (/) mark

4. Model: It was dark when I got up in the morning, frosty when I followed my breath to school.

--Julia Alvarez, Snow

a. It was early when the bus came by from school, late when it returned the children to their homes.

b. It was a fine car, shiny with chrome and paint and sleek in shape, a red convertible designed to have a retro look from the 1950's.

5. Model: She wore her coarse, straight hair, which was slightly streaked with gray, in a long braided rope across the top of her head.

--Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Nowi

a. The played the grueling, championship matches, which were completely unpredictable by forecasters, with an amazing energy from the weakest player to the strongest.

b. The arrangement, beautiful, freshly picked form the garden, smelled of a combination of lilies, sag, and magnolia.