Learn to

Write *Based upon the Kansas Writing Model

All Complete Sentences

1. Start with a capital letter2. Have end punctuation3. Have a subject4. Have a verb5. Make sense

The Subject

The person, place, thing, quality, or idea that the sentence is about.

Example:

Susan walked to the store.

A Verb

A word that shows the action or state-of-being of the subject.

Example:

Susan walked to the store.

Simple Sentences

Simple sentences must contain a subject and a verb.

S+V Susan danced.

S+S+V Susan and Billy danced.

S+V+V Susan walked and sang.

S+S+V+V Susan and Billy walked and sang.

Independent Clause

A complete thought with a subject and verb that can stand apart from the main sentence.

(also known as a simple sentence)

Independent Clause

ICAn Independent Clause beginning

with a capital letter.

icAn Independent Clause beginning

with a lower case letter.

Subordinate Clauses

•An incomplete thought with a subject and verb that cannot stand apart from the main sentence.

Example

While I was sleeping

Subordinate Clauses

SC a subordinate clause beginning

with a capital lettersc a subordinate clause beginning

with a lower case letter

Possible starter words for subordinate

clausesAfterAlthoughAsBecauseBeforeEven ifEven thoughIfIn order that

OnceProvided

thatRather

thanSinceSo thatThanThatThoughUnless

UntilWhenWheneverWhereWhereasWhereverWhetherWhileWhy

Coordinating Conjunctions (cc)

•Words that can be used to link independent clauses together in one sentence.

Example:

Susan walked to the store but she is not tired.

Coordinating Conjunctions (cc)

For Use the And FANBOYS Nor to rememberBut seven Or coordinating Yet conjunctions.So

Conjunctive Adverbs (ca)

•adverbs that connects two clauses. Conjunctive adverbs show cause and effect, sequence, contrast, comparison, or other relationships

Conjunctive Adverbs (ca)

ThereforeHoweverNeverthelessFurthermoreConsequentlyRegardless

Compound Sentences•Two or more independent

clauses (simple sentences) joined together in one sentence.

: colon ; semicolon

Compound SentencesIC;ic IC:icIC;ca,ic IC cc icIC,cc ic

Example: (IC;ca,ic)Susan walked to the store; however, the store was closed.

Complex Sentences

•One independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses joined together in one sentence.

Complex SentencesIC scSC,icSC, ic scExample: (SC, ic sc)While Billy mowed the grass, Susan walked to the store so that she could buy groceries.

Compound-Complex Sentences

•Two or more independent clauses (simple sentences) and one or more subordinate clauses (incomplete thoughts) combined into one sentence.

Compound-Complex SentencesIC; sc, icIC, cc ic scIC; ca, sc, icExample (IC;ca,sc,ic)Susan walked to the store; however, as she arrived, the store closed for the night.

Bibliography

•Schumaker, Jean B. and Jan B. Sheldon. Learning Strategies Curriculum: Fundamentals in the Sentence Writing Strategy. Kansas: The University of Kansas (Center for Research on Learning), 1998.