Sentence Structure Questions Long
In journalistic writing, there are several common sentence structure mistakes that are often made. These mistakes can affect the clarity and effectiveness of the writing, so it is important to be aware of them and strive to avoid them. Some of the most common sentence structure mistakes in journalistic writing include:
1. Run-on sentences: This occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined together without proper punctuation or conjunctions. Run-on sentences can make the writing confusing and difficult to follow. To correct this mistake, it is important to use appropriate punctuation (such as commas, semicolons, or periods) or conjunctions (such as "and," "but," or "however") to separate the independent clauses.
2. Sentence fragments: A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or both. This mistake can make the writing appear disjointed and incomplete. To avoid sentence fragments, it is important to ensure that each sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
3. Lack of parallel structure: Parallel structure refers to using the same grammatical form for similar elements within a sentence or a series of sentences. This mistake can make the writing sound awkward and unbalanced. To maintain parallel structure, it is important to ensure that similar elements are expressed in the same grammatical form (e.g., using the same verb tense, using consistent sentence structures).
4. Dangling modifiers: A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not clearly and logically modify the intended subject of the sentence. This mistake can lead to confusion and ambiguity. To correct dangling modifiers, it is important to ensure that the modifier is placed next to the word or phrase it is intended to modify.
5. Lack of variety in sentence structure: Using the same sentence structure repeatedly can make the writing monotonous and less engaging. It is important to vary sentence structures by incorporating different sentence types (such as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex sentences) and sentence lengths to add variety and maintain reader interest.
6. Overuse of passive voice: The passive voice occurs when the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. Overusing passive voice can make the writing sound impersonal and less engaging. It is important to strive for an active voice, where the subject performs the action, to make the writing more direct and dynamic.
By being aware of these common sentence structure mistakes and actively working to avoid them, journalists can enhance the clarity, coherence, and impact of their writing.