CHAPTER 12 / WRITING A GREAT ESSAY 459
Practice 11: Write Masterfully
Sentence Variation Practice
Cross out the sentence in each paragraph that is too long. Then rewrite the sentence to increase its impact.
- Many neoconservatives love to claim that lowering taxes actually raises government revenue. Any rational
examination of this claim shows clearly that it is wrong, or at least not as simple as they are claiming. In fact,
the government’s tax revenue depends on many things other than the tax rate. - My mother sat me down and explained to me how important it is to spend money wisely. After listening to her
carefully, I understood the point she was trying to make. I began keeping better track of my accounts and
became a wiser consumer.
Bargain Word Practice
Find a single word or shorter phrase to capture the idea in bold.
- Davidlooked very closely athis test results.
- The girls in the cartalked on and on about meaningless thingsfor hours.
- The coachgave us a long, harsh, and critical speechabout our lack of effort in the first half.
Toning Down Practice
Tone down the fancy vocabulary in the sentences below.
- When a practitioner of medicine suggests an appropriate remedy for a malady, it is best that the person to whom
it was offered utilizes it strictly according to the instructions. - Plebeians execrate prevaricators, while aristocrats lionize them.
Check your answers with the answer key at the end of the chapter.