Varying sentence structure ppt - Kat.ppt

1. Varying Sentence Structure
Writing Simple,
Compound, and Complex
Sentences

2. Why is it important to vary
sentence structure?
Too many simple sentences can make your writing
sound choppy.
Too many long (compound and complex) sentences
can make your writing difficult to follow.
Therefore, you should vary your sentences by
making some long and others short.
It will help make your writing interesting and
coherent.

3. What are some common ways to
structure a sentence?

4. Simple Sentence
A simple sentence contains a subject
and a verb.
It expresses a single, complete
thought.
A simple sentence is an independent
clause.

5. What?
An independent clause is a clause that
can stand alone. It is a group of
words that contains a subject and
verb and expresses a complete
thought.
An independent clause is a sentence.

6. Example of a Simple Sentence
The cell phone rang right before
class.
What is the subject?
What is the verb?

7. Compound Sentence
It is a sentence that joins two
independent clauses together with a
coordinating conjunction or semicolon.

8. Formula
Compound Sentence =
Independent Clause + Independent
Clause

9. Combining Clauses
There are two ways to combine
independent clauses to make a
compound sentence:
 Comma + Coordinating Conjunction
Semicolon

10. Comma + Coordinating
Conjunction
 A coordinating conjunction is also
known as a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.

11. For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

12. Comma + CC/FANBOYS
Ex) The cell phone rang right before class,
so the student quickly turned off the
phone’s ringer.
Ex) The teens walked to the park, but it
was closed.
Ex) The gentleman did not know where the
sound came from, so he hid behind the tree.

13. Combining Clauses
There are two ways to combine
independent causes to make a
compound sentence:
 Comma + Coordinating Conjunction
Semicolon

14. Semicolon
 You can also use a semicolon to
create a compound sentence since the
two statements are equal.
 Ex) The teacher applauded the
class; the kids beamed with pride.
Ex) The dog ate; the cat slept.

15. Now, it is
your turn!

16. Warm-Up
Directions- Number #1-3 on a separate sheet of paper. Write
down if the example is simple or compound. If compound, mark
why.
1.The rain fell for hours and ruined the picnic.
2.I left, but Marcy stayed.
3.Polar bears feed on seals; seals feed on fish.

17. Warm-Up
Directions- Copy the sentence. Mark as simple or compound.
If compound, mark why.
1.Female penguins usually stay at sea, but
they return when their eggs hatch.
2.Roses, carnations, and violets were growing
in the garden.
3.The sun rose; the air did not feel warm.

18. Warm-Up
Directions- Create a compound sentence by joining the two
independent clauses using a coordinating conjunction or a
semicolon.
1.I’m driving to the office in an hour. I’ll pick up the
supplies on the way.
2. Dorothy likes white water rafting. She also
enjoys kayaking.
3.I planned to go to the hockey game. I couldn’t get
tickets.

19. Complex Sentence
It is one independent clause joined by one
or more dependent clauses.
Each clause has its own subject and verb
but the dependent clause can’t stand alone.
The two clauses are joined by a
subordinating conjunction.
A dependent clause that begins a sentence
must be followed by comma.

20. Formula
Complex Sentence=
subordinating conjunction + dependent
clause + comma + independent clause
Or
Independent clause + subordinating
conjunction + dependent clause

21. Subordinating Conjunctions
after how until
although if unless
as in as much   as if
in order that when as long as
at least whenever as much as
now that whereas soon
wherever as though since
while because so that
before even if that
even though   though

22. Examples of Complex
Sentences
Because Kayla has so much climbing
experience, we asked her to lead our
group.
He stands at the bottom of the cliff
while the climber moves up the rock.
John cannot set up his computer
because the wall has no outlet.

23. Now, it is
your turn!

24. Post Assessment: Test yourself. Are these simple,
compound, or complex sentences?
1.The teacher walked into the classroom, greeted the students, and
took attendance.
2.Juan played football while Jane went shopping.
3.Juan played football, yet Jim went shopping.
4.Although Mexico has a better team, they lost the tournament.
5.The island was filled with many trails winding through the thick
underbrush, a small lake, and dangerous wild animals.

25. Combine the sentences in the following paragraph for variety:
Use simple, compound, and complex sentences.
Tom prefers baseball to basketball. Baseball
seems more interesting to Tom. Tom feels
baseball is a gentleman’s sport. Baseball is more
structured than basketball. Baseball requires
athletes to use more skill than aggression when
playing. Tom respects baseball players the most.

26. Possible Revisions
Tom prefers baseball to basketball because it
seems more interesting to Tom. Tom feels
baseball is a gentleman’s sport. Baseball is more
structured than basketball, and it requires
athletes to use more skill than aggression when
playing. Tom respects baseball players the most
because of this.