Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho

 

Combine sentences

When you have short sentences or when your sentences are closely related, you
often can combine sentences to increase readability. 

Especially watch for sentences that

bulletend with words that begin the next sentence
bulletsentences that start with "this"
bulletsentences that start with the same words

Examples:

1.      Each pellet size has a different weight and diameter.  The weight and diameter directly affect the over-all ballistics of each round.

 Each pellet size has a different weight and diameter, which directly affect the over-all ballistics of each round.

2.      Plastics are non-corrosive and resistant to chemicals.  These chemicals do not rust or degrade in water or other chemicals.

3.  Road development has several impacts on caribou herds. Road development creates fragmentation of habitat.

Road development, which creates fragmentation of habitat, has several impacts on caribou herds.  .

Because road development fragments habitat, it has several impacts on caribou herds.

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Production of Lactic Acid from Potato Waste

 

            Traditionally, there are two methods for commercially producing lactic acid. Production methods include either chemical synthesis or carbohydrate fermentation from a substrate. Chemical synthesis involves chemical reactions that require plastic based products such as lactonitrate and acetaldehyde for production of lactic acid (Huang, 2005, p. 265). Chemical synthesis of lactic acid is a man-made process that can’t occur naturally.   In contrast, carbohydrate fermentation is a natural process for producing lactic acid.  Although it is a natural process, it can be controlled and enhanced for commercial purposes.  Carbohydrate fermentation involves biological reactions that convert simple sugars into lactic acid using living orgasms. This process requires a substrate containing some form of carbohydrate.

            Potato waste is an excellent source for these carbohydrates.  Its main component is starch, which…..

Number of words = 126
Number of sentences = 10
Average sentence length = 12.6

Number of BE verbs = 6 = 60%
Number of PASSIVE sentences = 1 = 10%

Flesch Reading Ease = 11.4
Flesch-Kincade Grade Level = 12.0

What's this readability scale?

 

REVISED

             Traditionally, there are two methods for commercially producing lactic acid: chemical synthesis or carbohydrate fermentation from a substrate. Chemical synthesis ,  a man-made process that can’t occur naturally ,  involves chemical reactions that require  plastic based products such as lactonitrate and acetaldehyde for production of lactic acid (Huang, 2005, p. 265). Chemical synthesis of lactic acid is.[ ↑↑   ]    In contrast, carbohydrate fermentation is offers a natural process for producing lactic acid.  Although it is a natural process, it  that can be controlled and enhanced for commercial purposes.  Carbohydrate fermentation involves biological reactions that convert simple sugars into lactic acid using living organsms. This   in a process that requires a substrate containing some form of carbohydrate.  

            Potato waste is provides an excellent source for these carbohydrates because Its main component is starch, which….

Number of words = 113  (reduction = 13 wds = 10% reduction)
Number of sentences = 5
Average sentence length = 22.6

Number of BE verbs = 3 = 50%
Number of PASSIVE sentences = 1 = 20%

Flesch Reading Ease = 5.7
Flesch-Kincade Grade Level = 12.0

 

Revised again to increase readability according the the Flesch Reading Ease Scale:

We have two ways to make lactic acid: chemical or fermentation.  The chemical process needs products made from plastic. On the other hand, fermentation is a natural process. It can be controlled to make large amounts. It converts sugars to lactic acid by using live life forms. Potato waste makes a good source of the sugars because it is made from starch.

Number of words = 62
Number of sentences = 6
Average sentence length = 10.3

Number of BE verbs = 3 = 50%
Number of PASSIVE sentences = 2 = 33%

Flesch Reading Ease = 70.8
Flesch-Kincade Grade Level = 5.9