[MUSIC] Effective academic writing is strengthened by the use of sentence of varying length. Very short sentences for emphasis and long sentences which often describe interspersed with sentences of ordinary length, the majority of sentences. The structure of individual sentences is also varied including sentences with semicolons to join short related sentences. Coordinate conjunctions to join two related sentences. An independent and a dependent clause to show relationships between important and less important information. And parallel structures to add rhythm and tone to the writing. Sentence combining is not simply a language exercise. It is a skill to be practiced, and integrated into the writer's style. Too many short sentences can result in a choppy paragraph. Too many long sentences, may confuse the reader and make your writing incomprehensibly academese. Effective, coherent academic writing combines some short sentences with appropriate punctuation. In order to combine sentences successfully, you should understand the concept of phrases and clauses in English. And learn a proper punctuation of combined sentences. One way to vary sentences structures, is to join to related independent clauses. Each of the independent clauses is equal in importance in the joined sentence. There are two ways to join the independent clauses. Using your semicolon with an optional structure word. Or using your comma and the required coordinate conjunction. The semicolon is placed between two independent clauses. It can be used only between two independent clauses that are related in content and in purpose. An optional conjunction adverb following the semicolon, and usually followed by a comma, can make the sentence more coherent by demonstrating the relationship between the two independent clauses. The table gives examples of optional structure verb and their relationships they demonstrate between independent clauses. Notice the comma that follows each structure word. A comma and the coordinating conjunction are placed between two independent clauses that are related in content and in purpose. The table lists example and examples of the coordinating conjunctions and their relationships they demonstrate between independent clauses. Notice the comma that proceeds each conjunction. To join to independent clauses, use both a comma and a coordinating conjunction. To join an independent clause and a phrase in brackets, use the coordinating conjunction without the comma. Words that introduce a dependent clause are called subordinate conjunctions. Because the dependent clause cannot stand by itself, it must be joined to an independent clause. In the joined sentence, the dependent clause is weaker, less important clause. The table shows some of the subordinating conjunctions and the relationships that show between the dependent clause and the independent clause. If you think of punctuation as relatively unimportant, think again. Appropriate punctuation helps the reader. In addition, a change in punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence. Punctuation, from comma to quotation marks, from semicolons to dashes, serves a critical function in English. In writing, it is the only substitute for all the messages that the spoken word can convey through intonation, pitch, volume, sarcasm, humor and gesticulation. The absence or presence of a comma in a particular position can not only change the meaning of a sentence, but sometimes reverse it. In other cases, the absence of a comma tells the reader that more than one of a certain thing exists in the context of the sentence. Whereas the presence of a comma in that same place will tell the reader that only one of that thing exists for the context. In greater detail, we will analyze such cases in the next course of this specialization in the course called scholarly communication.
