clause structure understanding sentence...2020/02/06 · complex and compound-complex sentences...

Understanding Sentence Clause Structure

Crafting dynamic sentences can be challenging for all writers. Each writer must ask themselves:

• Are my ideas simple or complex?

• How do I express my ideas clearly?

This presentation focuses on the basic components of a sentence, the different types of sentences, and various functions of each type of sentence.

Copyright 2018 The Geeky Teacher Store

What is a sentence?

Make a statement. “I went to the prom

with Lucy.” (Declarative)

Give a command. “Leave me alone.”

(Imperative)

Make an exclamation.“That was awesome!”

(Exclamatory)

Ask a question.“What time is the

matinee?”(Interrogative)

A sentence can:

A sentence is a set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command, and consisting of an independent clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.


Independent & dependent Clauses

An

Ind

epen

den

t Cla

use:

A complete thought.

Can stand alone.

“My dog is cold.” A D

epen

den

t Cla

use: An incomplete thought.

Cannot stand alone.

“Because it’s snowing.”

Every sentence contains at least one independent clause. It may contain one or more dependent clauses.


Simple & Compound Sentences

Simple

• A simple sentence contains one independent clause.• “Lucy rode her bike to the park.”

Compound

• A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction.

• “Lucy rode her bike to the park, but Lucy did not play with her friend Sally.”


Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences

Complex

• A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clauses, and it contains at least one subordinating conjunction.

• “Jane went to work today, even though she has the flu.”

Compound-

Complex

• A compound-complex sentence contains two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

• “I want to eat healthy food, but because fast food is so cheap and convenient, I struggle to maintain a healthy diet.”


List of Coordinating ConjunctionsThese join two sentence elements that are the same, such as two independent clauses in a compound sentence.


There are only seven:• and• but • for• nor• or• so• yet

List of Subordinate ConjunctionsThese introduce a dependent clause. This list is not exhaustive.

• after• although• as• as soon as• because• before• by the time• if• in case• in the event that• just in case• now that

• once• only if• since• the first time• though• unless• until• when• whenever• whereas• whether or not• while


Why use a simple sentence?

To Make Direct Statements• “I always drink coffee

in the morning.

To Display Lists• Today I ate eggs,

toast, and bacon for breakfast.

To Give Directions• Turn to page 355 in

your textbook.

To Ask Questions• Where did you put the

dog food?


Why use compound, complex, or compound-complex sentences?

To Combine Similar Ideas

Compound: Recycling reduces trash and less trash leads to

healthier oceans.

Complex: Since recycling leads to

healthier oceans, everyone should

recycle.

Compound-Complex:Since recycling leads to

healthier oceans, everyone should

recycle; we can all do our part.



To Compare & Contrast

Compound: Van Gogh was a gifted artist, but his art was not appreciated during his

lifetime.

Complex: Although we now

consider Van Gogh to be a gifted artist, his

genius was not appreciated during his

lifetime.

Compound-Complex:Although we now

consider Van Gogh to be a gifted artist, his genius

was not appreciated during his lifetime, and he died believing he was a

failure.


To Elaborate or Reason

Compound: Cell phones should not

be allowed in class because they distract students and teachers.

Complex: Since cell phones

distract students and teachers, they should

not be allowed in class.

Compound-Complex:Since cell phones

distract students and teachers, they should

not be allowed in class, and I encourage faculty

to support this effort.



To Demonstrate Cause & Effect or a Chain of Events

Compound: The soldiers did not obey

orders, so they were discharged.

Complex: Since the soldiers did not obey orders, they were

discharged.

Compound-Complex:Since the soldiers did not obey orders, they were discharged, and they will be shipping home

soon.



“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that

you know.”- Ernest

Hemingway

Time to practice! Work on creating compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences in the student response sheets.


clause structure understanding sentence...2020/02/06 · complex and compound-complex sentences...

Documents