Ever feel like you ’ re not getting anywhere with your writing?

The Sentence As much as any sane person needs to know…

Learning objectives… Records of work should be out... 1.Recognise and write a simple sentence containing at least 1 verb 2.Recognise and write a compound sentence using at least 1 conjunction 3.Recognise and write a complex sentence using an independent and dependent clause

Terms we ’ ll need Subject Verb Clause (group of words with a subject and a verb)  Independent-strong, stands alone  Dependent-subordinate-weak, needs support

Simple sentence A simple sentence has one independent clause and no dependent clauses:  The student yawned.

Although a simple sentence cannot have a dependent clause, it can have modifiers: The tall student sitting in the back of my plumbing class yawned loudly. The basic sentence is ‘ The student yawned ’. The other words are modifiers - they are descriptive words.

Simple sentence: A simple sentence contains only one independent clause, but it can have more than one subject or verb: TWO SUBJECTS: The student and his friend yawned. TWO VERBS : The student yawned and fell asleep.

TWO SUBJECTS: The student and his friend yawned. TWO VERBS : The student yawned and fell asleep.

A sentence with all these elements will be long, but it is still simple because it contains only one independent clause: The tall student sitting in the back in my physics class and his friend yawned loudly and fell asleep. Can you identify the ‘ real ’ sentence and the modifiers?

The tall student sitting in the back in my physics class and his friend yawned loudly and fell asleep.

Compound sentence A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses that are usually joined by a conjunction: Henry got a new job so he has to move house. I have a lot of homework but I am not going to have time to study tonight.

Compound sentence with coordinating conjunctions Most compound sentences are formed with one of the following types of conjunction: for and nor but oror yet soso STANDS FOR: fanboys

Notice the difference between a simple sentence with a compound verb and a compound sentence with two clauses: SIMPLEMy house guests returned from a long day of shopping and went straight to bed. COMPOUNDMy house guests returned home from a long day of shopping and we decided to stay at home instead of going out. What is the difference?

Compound sentence without coordinating conjunctions Yet, while most compound sentences are formed with a conjunctions, often good writers decide to eliminate the conjunction and simply add a semicolon: The ambitious student initiated the research; the teacher was pleased by her efforts. The students were unhappy with their professor; he often wasted their time in class.

Complex sentence A complex sentence has an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses. Note that introductory dependent clauses must be followed by commas: Since we got to the concert late, we had to make our way to our seats in the dark. We left class early so that we could attend a special lecture.

Complex sentences should be punctuated in one of two ways:  INDEPENDENT CLAUSE dependent clause (no comma) We left class early so that we could attend a special lecture.  Dependent clause, INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (comma) So that we could attend a special lecture, we left class early.

Comparing compound and complex sentences interest, variety, and coherence compound sentences differ from complex sentences in one important way: In a compound sentence, both clauses have equal importance; in a complex sentence, the independent clause is more important.

Compare these sentences COMPOUND John was tired, but he finished his homework. COMPLEX Although John was tired, he finished his homework. In the first sentence, the writer is communicating that both clauses are equally important. In the second sentence, the writer is saying that the subordinate clause ("John was tired") is less important than the independent clause ("he finished his homework").

This is better! Notice how it makes use of a variety of sentence structures. When I arrived home, my partner wasn't there, so I started to cook dinner. Then, my partner came in and saw me trying to cook her favourite recipe even though I didn't know how to make it very well. I decided to stop cooking because she got really angry. In the end, she made dinner for us and everything was all right.

How did you do? Remember to practice recognising the difference between each type of sentence as they can make a real difference to your writing style