1. Understanding Sentence Grammar Warm Up Introduction

2. The Power of Words This week we will discuss ways to make writing more effective through word choice and sentence arrangement. Watch the video above and speculate on the words written on this man’s sign. Write your own effective message.

3. Effective communication demands an understanding of basic grammar components. Grammar reveals a lot about a sentence, even if you don’t understand the words. Here is an example— The rumfrums prattly biggled the pooba. What meaning can you infer from this sentence? Replace the nonsense words with words that you know to make a sentence with the same structure.

4. Basic Sentence Patterns Before you can develop sentence variety in your writing, you must understand the basics. There are five basic sentence patterns. 1. Subject—Intransitive Verb 2.Subject—Transitive Verb—Direct Object 2.Subject—Linking Verb—Subject Complement 2.Subject—Transitive Verb—Indirect Object—Direct Object 2.Subject—Transitive Verb—Direct Object—Object Complement

5. Basic Sentence Structure Patterns 4 and 5 may be the most difficult patterns to examine. In both cases, the verb is followed by two nouns. Pattern 4: S—TV—IO—DO The government sent the city aid. To identify the direct object, ask yourself “What did the government send?” [It sent aid ] An indirect object identifies to or for whom the action is performed. In the sentence above, the action [sending aid] is performed for the city.

6. Basic Sentence Structure Try this sentence— One company offered its employees bonuses. The action word, or verb, is offered. What did the company offer? [The answer to this question is the direct object.] To whom did the company make the offer? [The answer to this question is the indirect object.]

7. Basic Sentence Structure Pattern 5: S—V—DO—OC Remember a complement completes the information. In sentences following this pattern, the complement further identifies or describes the direct object. The student body elected Cassie President. Who did the student body elect? [Cassie] Think about the function of the word President. Is it answering the question to or for what the action is performed?[Elected to? Elected for what?] OR Is it providing added information about Cassie? [She was elected President.]

8. Basic Sentence Structure HINT—To determine whether a sentence fits into pattern 5, insert the words to be between the first noun and the following noun or adjective. EX—The students elected Cassie to be President. If the sentence makes sense with the words to be added, you have identified an object complement. If not, you have a direct and indirect object. EX—The flashing signs sell visitors to be everything. X

9. Basic Sentence Structure Complete these activities to prepare for your quiz-- Review the parts of speech defined on pp. 248-9. If you feel you need to refresh your memory on these, use the following website— http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/definitions.htm Complete exercises 12.1-12.5 in the LBH, pp. 246- 255 to prepare for your quiz.

10. Basic Sentence Structure For practice, locate and record sentences from the essays we are reading in class that follow each of these patterns. Use your book to help you if you need to do so. 1. Subject—Intransitive Verb The earth trembled (258). 2.Subject —Transitive Verb—Direct Object The earthquake destroyed the city. 3.Subject—Linking Verb—Complement (noun or adj) The result was chaos. 4.Subject—Transitive Verb—Direct Object—Indirect Object The government sent the city aid. 5.Subject—Transitive Verb—Direct Object—Object Complement The citizens considered the earthquake a disaster.