Seeing Patterns

Worksheet Description

This Consulting References worksheet is designed to help students understand the impact of patterns in writing. It encourages the exploration of different syntactic patterns—such as rhythm, sentence length, and punctuation usage—through consultation with authoritative texts like “Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage” and “A Dictionary of Modern English Usage.” Students are tasked with considering how these patterns, or the intentional breaking of them, can contribute to the desired effect in their drafts.

The worksheet educates students on the significance of patterns in writing and how they can be manipulated to enhance or alter the reader’s experience. By investigating how patterns can establish flow, emphasis, or dramatic effect, students learn to craft their prose more purposefully. The exercise not only promotes an understanding of advanced writing techniques but also encourages students to think strategically about the structure of their work. This methodical approach to writing aims to empower students to make more informed and impactful stylistic choices in their writing.