Sentence emphasis

When combining two or more ideas in one sentence, you have two choices: coordination or subordination. Choose coordination to indicate that the ideas are equal or nearly equal in importance. Choose subordination to indicate that one idea is less important than another.

Simply put, coordinate equal ideas; subordinate minor ideas.

Within each sentence, emphasize your point by expressing it in the subject and verb of an independent clause, the words that receive the most attention from readers.

Within longer stretches of prose, you can draw attention to ideas by using a variety of techniques for gaining emphasis, often involving an unusual twist or some element of surprise.

Exercise: Identifying coordination

Exercise: Identifying subordination

Exercise: Identifying sentence emphasis 1

Exercise: Identifying sentence emphasis 2

Exercise: Combining choppy sentences

Exercise: Using coordination and subordination 1

Exercise: Using coordination and subordination 2

Exercise: Using coordination and subordination 3