Simple Sentences
A simple sentences includes the who/what and the action/state of the sentence:
The dog is barking. Who/what: The dog Action/
state: is barking.
The dog barks. Who/what: The dog
Action/state: barks.
Compound Sentences
Write Source 2000, page 96
A compound sentence combines two sentences into one using a comma and a conjunction, such as and, or, but. Ask students to write two compound sentences, checking each other’s work.
Examples Sentences:
* I heard a screeching noise behind the tree. A cat sprinted past me.
o I heard a screeching noise behind the tree, and a cat sprinted past me.
* The scared cat jumped up onto my sister's shoulder. My sister screamed.
o The scared cat jumped up onto my sister's shoulder, and my sister screamed.
Complex Sentences
Write Source 2000, page 96
Combine shorter sentences into longer sentences. A complex sentence combines two clauses. When you write a complex sentence, the most important ideas should be the main, independent clause.
Example Sentences:
The world wants peace. We still have wars.
Even though the world wants peace, we still have wars.
We turn in our paper. We must write a complex sentence.
Before we turn in our paper, we must write a complex sentence.
Other samples:
After we turn in our completed work, we will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Before I saw the movie Lord of the Rings, I read the whole series.
When you write a complex sentence, the most important ideas should be the main, independent clause.
Prepositional Phrases in Sentences
Adding detail with prepositional phrases
Write Source 2000, Prepositions, 455.3
READ: Prepositional Phrases 455.1, 2
A prepositional phrase includes a preposition (such as on , above, until) and the object it explains (position, direction, relationships).
Examples: on the fridge, above the doberman, until evening
My cat was scared.
My scared cat sat on the fridge above the doberman until evening.
explaining: position direction time
