1. Sentence Structure

2. Sentence Structure
On the SOL essay, graders will look for varied sentence structure.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound - Complex

3. Complete Sentences To write a complete sentence, you must include:
Capitalized first word
End punctuation
Subject
Verb
Complete thought / Makes sense (Independent Clause)

4. Sentence Fragments
To avoid sentence fragments, do not begin a sentence with:
Because
Conjunctions (FAN BOYS)
Be careful to complete your thought when beginning a sentence with words like:
Although
Whenever
However
After

5. Clauses All clauses contain a subject and a verb.
Independent clause – expresses a complete thought
Subordinate clause – does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence
Examples
When I go to the store.
Because I love baseball and my son plays baseball.
Although I have never played sports.

6. Simple Sentences A Simple Sentence – Contains one independent clause
Subject / Verb / (Object) or (prepositional phrase)
Example:
My cats jump on my couch.
May include a two subjects, two verbs, or two subjects and two verbs.
Examples:
My son and daughter play sports.
Jackson loves soccer but doesn’t like football.
Michaela and Jackson played basketball and completed their homework.

7. Compound Sentences A Compound Sentence – Examples:
Contains two or more independent clauses (complete sentences)
Can be joined by a comma and a conjunction or by a semicolon
S / V , conjunction S / V
S / V ; S / V
Examples:
Tomorrow is going to be a long day, but Friday will be fun!
Hannah and Lisa went to the movies, and Jenny joined them there.
I have taught at several schools, but I love THS!
Jimmy plays golf, Tommy plays soccer, and Stephanie plays tennis.

8. Complex Sentences A Complex Sentence – Examples:
Contains one independent clause (complete sentence) and at least one subordinate clause
Examples:
Because I didn’t hear my alarm, I overslept.
When you go to the store, don’t forget to pick up peanut butter.
My son, who loves baseball, plays shortstop for his travel team.
I love baseball because my mother loved it, too.

9. Compound - Complex Sentences
A Compound - Complex Sentence –
Contains two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) and at least one subordinate clause
Examples:
Because I didn’t hear my alarm, I overslept, and my whole family was late.
During the snowstorm, my cousin was stuck in a hotel, and my uncle couldn’t get to her.
My son, who loves baseball, plays shortstop, and my daughter, who loves softball, plays first base.
Mike took dance lessons; afterward, he asked his wife to dance whenever he got the chance.