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Varying sentence structures - a MUST for 11+ essay writing

22.05.25

 

Would your child be able to vary their sentence structures in 11+ essay writing? 

One element of an 11+ essay writing mark scheme is to show a variety of sentence structures.

A simple way to add variety to sentence writing is to use an adjective in a different place in the sentence.

It’s called ‘opening adjectives’ (sometimes ‘fronting’).

It can feel odd to us to do this, but it is very effective.

It can be used in all types of 11+ essays and writing pieces (stories, diaries, formal and informal letters, persuasive speeches, etc.).

 Example

Take this sentence (it goes with the image on this post):

The mighty and majestic stone wizard watched and waited.

Put the two adjectives at the beginning of the sentence, adding a comma after the adjectives.

Mighty and majestic, the stone wizard watched and waited.



 Watch out!

One common error children make is not noticing that the noun/pronoun subject is just after the opening adjectives, and that we must place a comma here. So, this is a teaching point.

Try these three tasks (answers at the bottom of this post):- 

 Task 1) Can you switch the structure so adjectives open the sentence?

The lush and seaweed-green moss began to crawl over his pumpkin-like feet.

 Task 2) Can you switch this one around?

The formidable and scowling stone wizard winced as intruders approached his concealed coppice.

 Task 3) Final one! Switch this.

The miry and foul-smelling forest smelt like heaven to the wizard.

I hope you enjoy the tasks!

Anna Donovan

Answers:

1) Lush and seaweed-green, the moss began to crawl over his pumpkin-like feet.

2) Formidable and scowling, the stone wizard winced as intruders approached his concealed coppice.

3) Miry and foul-smelling, the forest smelt like heaven to the wizard.