The Writing Process•Basic Sentence Structure•Complete Sentences•Types of Sentences•Fragments•Run-Ons
•Paragraphs•Elements of a Paragraph•Outlining
Sentences
•Complete Sentences•Types of Sentences•Compound Sentences
•Fragments•Run-On Sentences
Complete Sentences
A complete sentence has a subject and a predicate that work together to make a complete thought.
Bobby laughed until he cried.
Complete Sentences
In order for a sentence to be complete it must have the following items:
Start with a capital letter Have a noun or pronoun as the subject Have an action or linking verb with or
without helping verbs End with some form of punctuation:
period, exclamation point, or a question mark
Has a complete thought
Types of Sentences
There are four types of sentences. Exclamatory
Shows strong emotion & ends with an ! Interrogative
Asks a question & ends with a ? Imperative
Makes a demand or command & ends with a period.
Declarative Makes a statement & ends with a period
Combining SentencesSentences have to be
combined to avoid the boredom that would happen if all sentences were the same length.
Avoid using several “simple” sentences.
Compound SentencesContains two independent clauses
joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.
The coordinating conjunctions are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Sentence Fragments
A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself.
Sentence Fragments
May locate something in time and place, but lack a subject-verb relationship.
Last Saturday after the ballgame at the ice cream shop.
Sentence Fragments
May describe something, but do not have a subject-verb relationship.
Shooting just before the buzzer rang and hoping to score the winning point.
Sentence Fragments
May have most of the makings of a sentence, but still are missing an important part of a verb phrase.
Some of us going together to the mall.
Sentence Fragments
May have a subject-verb relationship, but cannot stand by itself because it is missing information to make it a complete thought.
Even though she was the prettiest girl and had a great talent presentation.
Run-On Sentences
A RUN-ON SENTENCE (sometimes called a fused sentence) has at least two parts.
one part can stand by itself the other part needs to be connected
together with one or two words The run-on can be corrected with a
semi-colon. (;) or by using Conjunctions
Run-On Sentences
Remember: The length of a sentence really has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on or not; even a very short sentence could be a run-on sentence.
• The books are heavy don’t carry them. (incorrect)
• The books are heavy; don’t carry them.
Run-On Sentences
When two clauses are connected by only a comma, they are a run-on sentence that is called a comma-splice.
The books are heavy, don’t carry them.
Run-On sentences happen
when an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause.
The game is going to be very close you have to play your best.
Run-On sentences also happen
when two clauses are connected by words such as however, moreover, or nevertheless.
My mom packed my lunch today however she forgot to put in my drink.
The ParagraphA paragraph is a collection of
related sentences dealing with a single topic.
Paragraphs are ALWAYS indented
Basic Rule of Paragraphs Keep one idea to one paragraph.
One idea and several bits of supporting evidence
Several points as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph
If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph.
Elements of a ParagraphA paragraph should contain
each of the following:
Unity Coherence Topic Sentence Adequate Development
UnityThe entire paragraph
should concern itself with a single focus.
It begins with a one focus or major point of discussion.
Coherence is the trait that makes the
paragraph easily understandable to a reader.
The paragraph will flow easily
Topic Sentences Topic sentences indicate a general idea
or relate thesis information and what the paragraph is going to deal with.
Most topic sentences are located within the first few sentences.
Never use a question as a topic sentence!
Adequate Development The topic (which is introduced by
the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately.
Beware of “fake”paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. A paragraph is not fully developed if it is too short.
Good, adequate paragraphs have five to six sentences.
Well-Developed Paragraphs Include:
Examples and illustrations Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence,
details, and others) Compare and contrast Evaluate causes and reasons Examine effects and consequences Analyze the topic Describe the topic Offer a chronology/time segments of an
event
How do I know when to start a new paragraph?
You should start a new paragraph when: When you begin a new idea or point To contrast information or ideas Create a break if the paragraph becomes
too long or the material is complex. When you are ending your introduction
or starting your conclusion
Formal Essays In a formal essay, you NEVER use the first person
pronouns, I, me, mine etc You will never use the phrases:
I think… , In my opinion, I believe…
You will NEVER start off answering with “Yes” or “No”
You make DECLARATIVE statements.
Formal Essays
When responding to an essay prompt, you will RESTATE the prompt by paraphrasing
NEVER rewrite the prompt to use as
one of your sentences in your paragraph. That is PLAGIARIZING!!
OutliningWhy create an outline?
Aids in the process of writing Helps you organize your ideas Presents your material in a logical
form Shows the relationships among ideas
in your writing Constructs an ordered overview of
your writing
How do I create an outline?
Determine the purpose of your paper.
Develop the thesis of your paper.
Outline ContinuedThen:
Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper.
Organize: Group related ideas together. Order: Arrange material in subsections
from general to specific or from abstract to concrete.
Label: Create main and sub headings.