Building Sentences The only lesson you will ever need to write correct, complete sentences

Being a good Writer is like being a good Architect… who has only FOUR basic house plans Simple Simple Compound Compound Complex Complex Compound-Complex Compound-Complex

Four Blueprints = Four Sentence Patterns No matter how many sentences you write No matter how many sentences you write No matter how many sentences you read No matter how many sentences you read No matter how long or short these may be No matter how long or short these may be There are only FOUR basic patterns or blueprints for all the sentences you will need There are only FOUR basic patterns or blueprints for all the sentences you will need EVER! EVER!

The Simple Sentence One independent clause (group of words )… one, single family house One independent clause (group of words )… one, single family house Stands alone & makes sense … a stand alone structure Stands alone & makes sense … a stand alone structure Has a Subject and a Verb … a foundation and roof Has a Subject and a Verb … a foundation and roof

The Simple Sentence Subject + Verb SubjectVerb A person, place, or thing JohnBoyStudent Shows action or a state of being (I am!) readsliveswaves

The Simple Sentence John reads. John reads novels. John reads novels and newspapers. John reads and enjoys novels and newspapers. Size does NOT always matter!

The Compound Sentence A COMPOUND SENTENCE has two independent clauses or “mini sentences” A COMPOUND SENTENCE has two independent clauses or “mini sentences” It’s like TWO houses joined together It’s like TWO houses joined together Independent clause + Independent clause Independent clause + Independent clause +

Simple + Simple = Compound John reads novels, and he reads newspapers. John reads novels, and he reads newspapers. John reads novels; however, he prefers newspapers. John reads novels; however, he prefers newspapers. John reads novels; he reads newspapers. John reads novels; he reads newspapers.

The Complex Sentence A COMPLEX SENTENCE has one independent clause joined to a dependent clause. A COMPLEX SENTENCE has one independent clause joined to a dependent clause.dependent clausedependent clausedependent clausedependent clause One, single family house + a lean to that cannot stand alone One, single family house + a lean to that cannot stand alone +

Simple (Independent) + Lean to (dependent) = Complex The Simple, independent clause is the “house”…it’s in RED Although John reads novels, Tom prefers comics. Although John reads novels, Tom prefers comics. Tom reads comics although John reads novels. Tom reads comics although John reads novels. Tom, who reads comics, rarely reads novels. Tom, who reads comics, rarely reads novels.

The dependent clause is the “lean to”…it’s in GREEN Although John reads novels, Tom prefers comics. Although John reads novels, Tom prefers comics. Tom reads comics although John reads novels. Tom reads comics although John reads novels. Tom, who reads comics, rarely reads novels Tom, who reads comics, rarely reads novels +

The Compound-Complex Sentence A Compound Sentence Independent clause + Independent clause A Compound Sentence Independent clause + Independent clause + A Complex Sentence Independent clause + Dependent clause + A Complex Sentence Independent clause + Dependent clause ___________________ = = John, who reads novels, rarely reads comics; however, Tom enjoys comics.

Compound-Complex Sentences Have more parts Have more parts Are simply a combination of two “blueprints” you already know how to build! Are simply a combination of two “blueprints” you already know how to build!

The Building Blocks of All Sentences! SIMPLE SIMPLE COMPOUND COMPOUND COMPLEX COMPLEX COMPOUND-COMPLEX COMPOUND-COMPLEX

Which “blueprint” is it? Blueprint # 1 The SIMPLE sentence One independent clause Mr. Potato head eats monkeys, but his wife prefers kittens. Blueprint # 2 The COMPOUND sentence One independent clause + One independent clause Whenever Marta ate pinto beans, she got terrible flatulence. Blueprint # 3 The COMPLEX sentence One independent clause + One dependent clause Mr. Potato Head eats monkeys. Blueprint # 4 The COMPOUND-COMPLEX sentence One independent clause + One independent Clause + One (or more) dependent clauses Lizzie Borden, who supposedly hacked her parents to death, was acquitted of the murders, but her neighbors remained suspicious of her..

Work with a Partner Sort the following sentences on your handout into Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex. Work with only ONE other person; share your notes to help one another. For the answers…

The Answers…