More About What Statements
There are a few advanced things to consider when working with What Statements.
1. Avoid Repeating a Variable
Creating the What Statement the second way means having the same variable twice in the statement. “My favorite pet” and “a didinium” are the same thing.
Wrong: What is your favorite pet?
| LH | VP | RH |
|---|---|---|
| My favorite pet | is | a didinium |
Corrected:
| LH | VP | RH |
|---|---|---|
| I | like | my didinium |
2. Be Careful of the Word Favorite
If you see the word favorite in a prompt, then insert like or its synonym:
| LH | VP | RH |
|---|---|---|
| Narrator | Verb Phrase | Nonfiction Idea |
| I | Like | ? |
Not like this: oid
| LH | VP | RH |
|---|---|---|
| Narrator | Verb Phrase | Nonfiction Idea |
| My favorite | is | a(n) |
3. Avoid Having Too Many Variables
You should always work with two variables only. Here’s why:
John
How many variables? How many relationships?
1 variable. No relationships.
Now let’s add:
John loves Mandy
How many variables? How many relationships?
2 variables. 1 relationship
Now let’s add:
John loves Mandy and her sister, Maria.
How many variables? How many relationships?
Perhaps this will help:
Careful! It’s harder that it looks.