Editing for Sentence Variety

• Count the words in each of your sentences. If the difference between the longest and shortest sentences is fairly small—say, five words or fewer—try revising your sentences to create greater variety. (30a)
• If many sentences have fewer than ten words, consider whether any of them need more detail or should be combined with other sentences.
• How do your sentences open? If all or most of them open with a subject, try recasting some sentences to begin with a transition, a phrase, or a dependent clause. (30b)