Revise with Finesse: The Ultimate Sentence Solution

Are you tired of writing bland, uninteresting sentences? Do your words lack the punch that leaves readers awed and inspired? Fear not, dear reader! With “Revise with Finesse: The Ultimate Sentence Solution,” you’ll learn how to craft compelling prose worthy of a Pulitzer Prize (or at least a participation trophy).

Introduction

We all want our writing to stand out from the crowd. But in reality, most of us end up sounding like a bland BuzzFeed article about avocado toast. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got your back.

What is “Revise with Finesse”?

At its core, “Revise with Finesse” is about taking your sentence structure from pedestrian to poetic. We’re not talking purple prose here; rather, it’s about adding flair and personality to make even the driest subject matter interesting.

Who can benefit?

Everyone who puts pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) can benefit from this guide. Whether you’re a student struggling to turn in assignments on time or an established author looking for ways to revamp your style—if you have ever struggled writing captivating sentences—this guide will help you find success!

How does it work?

The process is simple: take any piece of text that needs revising and apply these techniques:

1. Identify the main action within each sentence.
2. Mix up word order/structure while retaining meaning and readability.
3. Use vivid adjectives/nouns/verbs where possible.
4. Always keep an eye on grammatical correctness; there are perils on both sides of being too pedantic OR informal.

Keep reading for more detailed examples and tips!

A call-out for using Verbs

Before we dive into some sample revisions (‘cuz i know that’s why we are here), let me first rant remind you to try using more action verbs. Many people make the mistake of relying too much on adjectives: that’s the easy way out. While descriptive words can be great, peppering your writing with strong verbs is what truly sets apart good writers from bad ones.

Examples:

• Instead of “The cat was running quickly,” say “The cat sprinted.”
• Don’t write “She looked at him angrily”—say “She glared at him.”

Follow this rule, and you’ll immediately elevate your writing style!

Passive voice: When not to use it – subheading (smaller font)

Ah passive voice—the bane of every English teacher’s existence! In case you’re unfamiliar with the term:
Passive voice occurs when an object takes priority over the subject. The result? Sentences often sound clunky or ambiguous – which no one wants.

What situations are better for active vs passive voice?

Active sentences tend to sound livelier; passive tends toward sluggishness. So when do we suggest switching things up?

Use active structure when…

• You want something emphasized.
  For instance, “Monica took me by surprise!” rather than “I was surprised by Monica.”

Use a mixture

Sometimes swapping between active and passive voices within paragraphs can add variety in rhythm and narrative pace—making reading more engaging as a result.

Now that I’ve broken down some foundational sentence-writing advice let’s practice applying these techniques together!

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Example 1 — Revising Sentence Lengths & Structure

Original Text:

When planning your college schedule, it’s essential to find classes that fit both your interests and career goals so you can develop proficiency in areas relevant towards future employment prospects.

Revision Attempt #1:

Developing skillsets pertinent to our chosen career path is vital. Therefore identifying courses catering to individual interests will assist learners achieve academic excellence while pursuing professional growth opportunities post graduation.

Revision Attempt#2:

To ensure a promising career future, one must identify academic interests and design schedules around classes cultivating essential skills relevant to industry demands.

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Example 2 – Revise Long-Winded Sentences

Original Text:

The proposal for the new tax law has been characterized as controversial due to its targeting of high-income earners, who represent just 5% of the population. These individuals are now finding themselves at odds with many political groups that are opposed to tax breaks for large corporations while simultaneously raising taxes on average citizens.The question arises whether or not there will be support between political parties since this comes in opposition what is typically subject matter addressed within these scenarios.

Revision attempt:

We may ask ourselves if our representatives can back the newly-proposed tax bill— which has ignited recent controversy among politicians and high-earners alike by singling out only five percent of this country’s populace. This intense stalemate revolves around much-debated issues such as giving cuts and incentives — where they are decidedly absent for mom-and-pop stores—but instead favoring wealthy conglomerates coinciding with burdensome taxation burdens placed disproportionately upon average American families.

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Some Final Tips:

Here’s a handful more tips before you go-it alone!

Combine short sentences

Always try combining two shorter thoughts into one longer sentence, especially when they’re related. This helps smooths out any choppy transitions; just make sure you don’t overdo it with too much wordiness!

Keep modifying phrases close

Don’t separate long modifying phrases too far from their subjects. When possible marry descriptive clauses closely along-side adjacent nouns/pronouns over spelling them apart farther down.

Avoid being unnecessarily Decorative

Flowery words should never find themselves interjected so often throughout your writing that readers begin scratching their heads! Stick enough visual vocabulary & prose playfulness into your work so that it’s well-contextualized—or but lose their meaning in any context. (You want to write a thesis, not win the Rose Bowl parade!)

So what are you waiting for? Go forth and revise with Finesse! You’ll be a writing powerhouse in no time – or at least able to craft more engaging Facebook statuses.