2. A D A P T E D A C A D E M I C I N Q U I R Y : O X F O R D 2 0 1 4

3. VARYING SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Repeated use of the same or similar structures can be monotonous:
Example:
Eating only vegetables can be boring. People need to eat a variety of
foods. Nutrition and taste should come together, and both of these can
be found in diets with both meat and vegetables. Everyone’s taste is
different of course. People need to discover what they like across
several different foods.
Using a variety of sentence structures can break this monotony:
When looking at eating habits, many people agree that eating only
vegetarian diets can be boring. Focused on key elements of nutrition
and taste, many Americans attempt to find these in both meat and
vegetable choices. Because everyone's taste is different, of course,
people need to discover what they like across several different foods,
bringing both flavour and health needs to the same plate.

4. SIMPLE AND COMPOUND SENTENCES
Simple sentences are good for emphasizing key points:
Canada’s Food Guide provides guidelines for healthy diets. Women need two
servings of meat or meat alternatives every day. They need around eight
daily servings of fruit and vegetables (Health Canada, 2007).
But if you want to emphasize that two ideas are equally important, a compound
sentence is more appropriate:
Canada’s Food Guide provides guidelines for healthy diets. Women need two
servings of meat or meat alternatives every day, and they need around eight
daily servings of fruit and vegetables (Health Canada, 2007).
But the first sentence could be included in the compound sentence with an
introductory phrase:
According to Canada’s Food Guide for healthy diets, women need two
servings of meat or meat alternatives every day, and they need around eight
daily servings of fruit and vegetables (Health Canada, 2007).

5. COMPLEX AND COMPOUND-COMPLEX
SENTENCES
Complex sentences are good when comparing one idea with another. The
dependent clause is somewhat less important:
Canada’s Food Guide provides guidelines for healthy diets. While women
need two servings of meat or meat alternatives every day, they need around
eight daily servings of fruit and vegetables (Health Canada, 2007).
A compound-complex sentence has subordination and compound features
together:
Canada’s Food Guide provides guidelines for healthy diets. Although women
have slightly different nutritional needs than men, they still need two
servings of meat or meat alternatives every day, and they need around eight
daily servings of fruit and vegetables (Health Canada, 2007).
Again the first sentence could be included in the compound-complex sentence
with an introductory phrase:
Based on Canada’s Food Guide for healthy diets, although women have
slightly different nutritional needs than men, they still need two servings of
meat or meat alternatives every day, and they need around eight daily
servings of fruit and vegetables (Health Canada, 2007).

6. PHRASES TO INTRODUCE SENTENCES
Past Participle:
Focused on a larger definition of health, nurse practitioners can promote a
sense of wellness in their clients that includes physical, mental, and spiritual
aspects of well-being.
Present Participle:
Knowing the dangers of too much sugar, many parents are now limiting how
much candy their children consume.
Prepositional Phrase:
In many health food stores, there is a large selection of organic fruits and
vegetables.
Adverb:
Unfortunately, people do not realize that many forms of skin cancer can be
prevented with a few simple steps.

7. Sample Answer:
Health professionals can recommend a number of effective treatments for
obesity. First of all, people who are severely overweight need to change their diet
and lower their daily calorie intake. A healthy diet is one that includes many
vegetables and fruit, whole grain products, some milk or milk alternatives, some
protein, and a small amount of healthy fats. While obese patients should start a
program of exercise, this should be mild exercise at first. Later, it should increase to
at least 20 minutes of moderate exercise every day. A good form of exercise is a nice
brisk walk. However, sometimes obesity cannot be cured easily. As a last resort,
surgery may be recommended to shrink the patient’s stomach and make it easier for
them to feel fuller with less food. Because there are risks involved with surgery, this is
only recommended after the other treatment options have been explored. All in all,
people suffering from obesity can take heart that there are treatments available.