10 ways of modifying the base clause.
BC = base clause
BC = The woman closed the door,
- BC + verbal (ing): closing it with a bang.
- BC + adverb: grinning crazily.
- BC + article: a door made of oak. a woman dressed in white.
- BC + article plus adjective plus BC Noun. the ominous woman.
- BC + article plus adjective plus PP: the billowing snow behind her. an awful look in her eyes.
- BC + article plus the appositive: an enraged mother ready to confront her son’s tormentors. the only obstacle to the madman’s rage. an action she would long remember.
- BC + pronoun: its mass creaking eerily. her face a study in triumph.
- BC + adverb: madly fleeing the wasps. quietly securing it. carelessly slamming it behind her.
- BC + new information: the stormy night swallowing its thud. a radio blaring in the background. a threadbare coat draped over her shoulder.
- BC + anything, followed by a metaphor: grinning like the chesire cat. her action as fresh as a wet kiss. pandora with a second chance.
(from Brooks Landon, University of Iowa)