The122 Sentence Formula

The basic1 2 2 Sentence formula is a method for developing key ldeas. It is an excellent way to introduce relevant details into a paragraph, and ultimately a fine way to create complete paragraphs with vivid images, but with the proper subordination of minor points so that they do not interfere with the expression of major ones.

The key (or main) idea is presented in what we call a level 1 sentence (color code red). There should only be one level one sentence in a paragraph. Level 2 sentences (color code blue) are used to develop level one sentences. The principle is simple: there should be two or more level 2 sentences for every level one. This creates a short paragraph.

EXAMPLE: Model One A: (Using simple sentences)

(1) There are two major political parttles In the United States. (2) One is the Democratic Party. (2) The other Is the Republican Party.

(1) = The main Idea: this is the topic sentence

There are two major political parties in the United States.

(2) = Major detail which explains, defines, or supports the level 1 sentence.

One is the Democratic Party.

(2) = Major detail which explains, defines, or supports the level 1 sentence.

The other is the Republican Party.

EXAMPLE: Model One B (same idea using a compound sentence)

(1) There are two major political parties In the United States: (2) one is the Democratic Party; (2) the other is the Republican Party.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES: (Red = 1, Blue = 2)

1) On Political Parties: (simple sentences)

(1) The republican party has been known by several other names In the past. (2) In 1789, !t was called the Federalist Party. (2) In l829, It was known as the National Republican Whig Party.

2) On a Scientific topic:

a) (simple sentences)

(1) There are two main kinds of cell division. (2) One kind is called mitosis. (2) The other kind is known as meiosis.

b) (simple sentences combined into compound sentences)

(1) There are two main kinds of cell division: (2) one kind is called mitosis, (2) and other kind is known as meiosis.

3) On an Artistic topic: (simple sentence + compound sentence)

(1) Colors can bring out different emotions. (2) Red sometimes suggests anger, (2) and blue sometimes suggests calmness.

The I 2 3 2 3 SENTENCE FORMULA: This is just an extended form of 1 2 2 with the addition of level 3 sentences (color code green) that support the level 2 sentences.

(1) The two major political parties In the United States have provided some controversial presidents. (2) Some have been Democrats . (3) The 32nd President of the United States, Franklln Delano Roosevelt, typified the Democratic Party during his term of office. (2) The others have been Republicans. (3) The 31st President of the United States, Herbert C!ark Hoover, represented the Republican Party In the Whlte House from 1929 to 1933.

The 1 2 3 3 2 3 3 SENTENCE FORMULA: (adding more level 3 sentences)

(1) The two major political parties In the United States have provided some controversial presidents. (2) Some have been Democrats (3) The 32nd President of the Unlted States, Franklln Delano Roosevelt, typified the Democratlc Party durlng hls terms In offlce. (3) Harry S. Truman was another Democratlc Presldent. (2) The others have been Republicans. (3) The 31st Presldent of the United States, Herbert Clark Hoover, represented the Republican Party in the Whlte House from 1929 to 1933. (3) Dwight Davld EIsenhower also represented the Republicans as Presldent of the Unlted States.

The development would be outlined as follows:

Level 1 = main idea (Topic Sentence)

Level 2 = major detail (supporting 1)

Level 3 = minor detail (supporting 2)

Level 4 = minor detail (supporting 3)

Ideally, there should be two subordinate sentences supporting each level (two for one); for example, there should be two level 4 sentences for each level 3, two level 3 sentences for each level 2, and two level 2 sentences for the one and only level 1 sentence.

The I 2 3 4 2 3 4 SENTENCE FORMULA: This is just an extended form of 1 2 3 2 3 with the addition of level 4 sentences (color code cyan) that support the level 3 sentences.

The I 2 3 4 3 2 3 4 3 SENTENCE FORMULA: This is just an extended form of 1 2 3 2 3 with the addition of level 3 sentences (color code green) that support the level 2 sentences.

The I 2 3 4 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 SENTENCE FORMULA: This is just an extended form of the I 2 3 4 3 2 3 4 3 with the addition of more level 3 sentences which support the level 2 sentences.

The I 2 3 4 3 4 2 3 4 3 4 SENTENCE FORMULA:

The I 2 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 2 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 SENTENCE FORMULA:

(1) The two major political parties In the United States have provided some controversial presidents. (2) Some have been Democrats (3) The 32nd President of the United States, Franklln Delano Roosevelt,a liberal, typified the Democratic Party during his term of office. (4) His innovative "New Deal" policies were responsible for bringing America out of the Depression. (4) By the way, he is the only president to have been elected for three consecutive terms. (3) Harry S. Truman was another Democratic President. (4) In what became a controversial decision, he approved the use of the atomic bomb. (4) Later, he was criticized by some for firing General McArthur during the Korean War. (3) Bill Clinton, the current president, has attempted to redefine the principles of the Democratic Party. (4) He has been characterized by some democrats as a republican in democratic clothing. (4) Clinton has been successful (2) The others have been Republicans. (3) The 31st President of the United States, Herbert C!ark Hoover, a conservative, represented the Republican Party In the Whlte House from 1929 to 1933. (4) Incidentally, the Great Depression occurred during Hoover's presidency. (4) His policies were essentially inefective, and he failed to respond to the challenge facing American government (3) Dwight David Eisenhower also represented the Republicans as President of the United States. (4) He was the last of a number of generals who became president. (4) Eisenhower is characterized by some critics as a "do nothing" president (3) Richard Millhouse Nixon, the only president ever forced to resign from office or face impeachment, was a Republican. (4) He was the architect of the famous Watergate scandal. (4) Nixon brought discredit to both the presidency and the Republican party.

(Conclusion) It seems that no president can make everyone happy, so all have come in for some criticism.

(This paragraph has 306 words)

SIGNALS:

#2 Slgnalq:

Flrst, ~econd, thlrd, and, more, even more, moreover, more than that, besldes, furthermore, also, llkewlse, agaln, next, then, to begin wlth, as well as, In addltlon to, lastly, flnally, ~ome, others, stlll others, above ll, one, another, equally Important, equally necessary.

#3 Slgnals:

That Is to say, namely, as, Just as, ~peclflcally, to be sure, In ~uch cases, analogously, thls can be clarlfled, It Is necessary to, for example, llke, In the ~ame manner, to be ~peclflc, for Instance, such as, In other words, thls can be explalned, thls can be made clearer, because of thls.