1. Combining Sentences
What are compound sentences? What are complex sentences? What is a comma splice? What is a run-on sentence?
Pay attention so that we can correct some common mistakes I am seeing in your writing! 

2. REVIEW: Compound and Complex Sentences
Compound sentence: TWO independent clauses (sentences) that are joined with a comma and a conjunction (FANBOYS) or a semicolon.
Complex sentence: A sentence with an independent clause (sentence) and a dependent clause (not a sentence- it “depends” on the other part- the sentence.

3. Sentence Structure: Dependent Clause in complex sentences
Some dependent clause markers:
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb, but the clause cannot stand independently.
Dependent clauses can often be identified by the use of dependent clause markers- like transition words.
because
since
when
while
until if as
though
although
unless
after
before
once
whether
Key Concepts: This slide explains the definition of a dependent clause. The dependent clause markers can help writers identify clauses that cannot stand alone within a sentence.
Purdue University Writing Lab

4. Some dependent clause markers (or transition words)
hough
although
unless
after
before
once
whether
though
although
unless
after
before
once
whether
because
since
when
while
until if as

5. Sentence Structure: Dependent Phrases and Clauses
Dependent phrases and clauses help to clarify and add detail to an independent clause.
Dependent clauses may appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
Key Concepts: This slide further clarifies the role of dependent phrases and clauses within a sentence.
Purdue University Writing Lab

6. Introductory clause= dependent clause located at the beginning of a sentence
When a dependent clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma between the independent clause and the dependent clause.
Key Concepts: An introductory clause is a dependent clause located at the beginning of a sentence. After an introductory clause, a comma is needed to distinguish it from the independent clause.
Activity: The facilitator may choose to ask students to identify the independent and dependent clauses, the subjects, the verbs, and the dependent clause marker in the sample sentence.
Click mouse to reveal the parts of speech.
When Elizabeth called 911, the firemen rushed to her rescue.
When Elizabeth called 911, the firemen rushed to her rescue.
Purdue University Writing Lab

7. Where would you place the comma in the following examples?
Introductory Clause
Where would you place the comma in the following examples?
Since it was raining, we decided to go to the movies. DCM S V S V
Since it was raining we decided to go to the movies.
Once the movie began, I fell asleep.
DCM S V S V
Once the movie began I fell asleep.
Activity: This interactive slide invites participants to place commas after the introductory clauses in each sentence. Again, the facilitator may ask students to identify the parts of speech in each example.
Click mouse to reveal parts of speech, and then click again to reveal each example.
After the movie ended, we went out for coffee.
DCM S V S V
After the movie ended we went out for coffee.
Purdue University Writing Lab

8. Dependent Clauses located after an independent clause,
When a dependent clause is
located after an independent clause,
DO NOT place a comma between the two.
I went on the roller coaster because my brother dared me.
S V DCM S V
Activity: When a dependent clause follows an independent clause, commas are not used. Facilitators may choose to ask students to identify the parts of speech in each example.
I became very sick when the
S V DCM
roller coaster zoomed upside down.
S V
Purdue University Writing Lab

9. You guys are using run-on sentences and comma splices in your writing
You guys are using run-on sentences and comma splices in your writing! How can they be corrected? Let’s review several ways:
Run-On Sentence
More iron became available people used it to make tools.
Place a period or other end punctuation between the two independent clauses.
More iron became available. People used it to make tools.
(simple sentences)
Comma Splice
More iron became available, people used it to make tools.
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
More iron became available, and people used it to make tools.
(compound sentence)
Place a semicolon between the independent clauses.
More iron became available; people used it to make tools.
Add a subordinating conjunction to make one of the clauses dependent.
As more iron became available, people used it to make tools.
(complex sentence)

10. Remember:
You can turn run-on sentences or comma splices into two separate sentences. You can also place a connecting word and appropriate punctuation between the clauses.

11. Let’s Look At Some Examples Relating to Our Civil War Unit!

12. How can you fix this sentence?1.
In the 1860’s, there was rising tension between the northern states and the southern states some wanted slavery and some did not want slavery.
How can you fix this sentence?

13. Answer:
In the 1860’s, there was rising tension between the northern states and the southern states; some wanted slavery and some did not want slavery.

14. By 1861, people had had enough they were ready to go to war.2.
By 1861, people had had enough they were ready to go to war.
How can you fix this sentence?

15. By 1861, people had had enough, and they were ready to go to war.
Answer:
By 1861, people had had enough, and they were ready to go to war.

16. How can this sentence be fixed?3.
John Brown wanted the slaves to use the weapons and defend themselves against their masters, none of the slaves participated in the revolt.
How can this sentence be fixed?

17. Answer:
John Brown wanted the slaves to use the weapons and defend themselves against their masters, but none of the slaves participated in the revolt.

18. 4.
Margaret Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin tension between the north and south grew even more.
How can this be fixed?

19. Answer
Margaret Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin which caused tension between the north and south to grow even more.
Another complex sentence can fix this…
Because Margaret Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, tension between the north and south grew even more.
How can you change these sentences to combine them using compound sentences?

20. Combining Sentences
Partner Talk: Discuss the different ways you can combine sentences so that your sentences aren’t short and choppy nor long and running on?