imitating sentences: a tool for better sentence writing

Imitating Sentences

Imitating Sentences

The frog/ swam/ in the water.

Imitating Sentences

The frog/ swam/ in the water.

Complete subject

Imitating Sentences

The frog/ swam/ in the water.

Verb

Imitating Sentences

The frog/ swam/ in the water.Prepositional phrase

The frog/ swam/ in the water.

We can imitate this sentence by replacing the sentence parts.

The frog/ swam/ in the water.

This picture shows a moth. Where would we put this word in our new sentence?

The moth/ swam/ in the water.

Hmm…does this sentence make sense? Try to replace the rest of the parts to describe the picture.

The moth/ climbed/ on the grass.

Here is one possibility. What other sentences did you create?

Longer Sentences

Quickly,/ the salamander/ scuttled/ under the log.

Longer Sentences

Quickly,/ the salamander/ scuttled/ under the log.

Subject

Longer Sentences

Quickly,/ the salamander/ scuttled/ under the log. Verb

Longer Sentences

Quickly,/ the salamander/ scuttled/ under the log.

Prepositional phrase

Longer Sentences

Quickly,/ the salamander/ scuttled/ under the log.

Adverb

Quickly,/ the salamander/ scuttled/ under the log.

Use the sentence parts above to write a new sentence to describe this picture.

Even longer sentences!

At dusk, the lean fox trotted along the dunes.

Can you break this sentence into chunks?

At dusk, the lean fox trotted along the dunes.

Can you break this sentence into chunks?

At dusk,/ the lean fox/ trotted/ along the dunes.

Now, try to imitate the sentence

At dusk,/ the lean fox/ trotted/ along the dunes.

Here is one idea…

In the afternoon,/ the baby bird/ chirped/ in the grass.

What did you learn?

What have you learned about writing sentences?

Emily KissnerNon-commercial use onlyAll photos by Emily Kissner