Help re-wording a sentence!?

Question

My AP English teacher has a list of "Non-negotiables" when writing.

One of these "non-negotiables" is "don't start sentences with and, but, so, well, like, or then".

The sentence I need re-worded is:
"Then, a week before the Fall-Jamboree game, I was told that I was the starter and there would be no split in playing-time."

As you can see, I started the sentence with 'Then'. I was editing my paper and noticed this, yet nothing sounds good when I try to re-word it.

Help!

Answer 1

Just a week before the Fall-Jamboree game , subsequently I was told....in playing game.
Depends upon the sentence before "Then"

Answer 2

Just omit 'then'.
A week before the Fall-Jamboree game, I was told that I was the starter and there would be no split in playing-time.

However, your teacher is not correct about the use of these words as sentence beginnings. I know that many people say the same thing as your teacher, and insist that they are right, but they are not. And, there is nothing wrong with your sentence at all. I advise you to research this question on the net. Go to authoritative sites that discuss sentence structure, syntax, and grammar.
I am a teacher of many years experience who deals with writing every day. There is much to know about writing. And, many myths abound.

Read the article at the link below.

Answer 3

Substitute "however", perhaps? "However, a week before the Fall-Jamboree game,..." or "A week before the Fall-Jamboree game, however,..." (I'm assuming the use of "then" as showing something progressive/contradictory to what was previous to this sentence, which would lend itself well to "however".)

This reminds me of one essay I wrote with the strictest English teacher I've ever had. She returned my first draft with a note pointing to one sentence that was very long, telling me to rewrite the run-on sentence.

I thought, and thought, and finally went to her and said I couldn't find any way to re-write it that didn't change the meaning and tone. She looked at it again, pondered, and handed it back saying that she couldn't think of a way either -- go ahead and leave it as-is!

I had quite the proud little e.e. cummings moment -- I proved I knew the rules but bent them a tad to add something more. As any challenged English teacher says, though, you have to know the rules first before you can intentionally break them!

Answer 4

You see, I am not really sure exactly what this sentence says. Did he introduce a machine? The steam that was produced under pressure was introduced to what? The steam was created under pressure? His machine, consisting of a closed vessel filled with water, created steam under pressure. The machine, consisting of a closed vessel filled with water, created steam under pressure. His machine, a steam engine, consisting of a small enclosed vessel, which when filled with water and heated by [fill in the blank to indicate how the water was heated up-because steam engines used coal or wood as an energy sorce to turn the liquid water into a gas], created steam under pressure, and in turn would [the action the machine would perform.]. Have fun!

Answer 5

"A week before the Fall-Jamboree game then, I was told . . .."

Answer 6

i think the reason why you used "then" is to signal a connective between time elements or sequence events as they happened, so i think, it's ok to use it.

just remember not to stray away from the first sequence, especially when you are writing chronologically.

Answer 7

Subsequently or if this does not fit drop 'then' "A week..." I don't relly know the context hope this helps

Answer 8

Just take away the word then

Answer 9

Afterwards? or however? dont really know the entire context of it

Answer 10

Just drop the "then".