THE EXCITING FACTS ABOUT SENTENCE STRUCTURE ARE REVEALED!

Year 1 : simple sentences and beginning to use compound sentences using simple connectives such as ‘and’. Year 2 : simple sentences and compound sentences using a wider range of connectives. Year 2 : simple sentences and compound sentences using a wider range of connectives. Year 3 and 4 : simple, compound sentence and starting to write complex sentences. Year 5 : simple, compound and complex sentences. Year 6 : confident user of all sentence types and able to position clauses for effect. Examples of the different sentence types. Simple sentence: She was reading a book. Compound sentence: She was reading a book and she fell asleep. Complex sentence: As it was her homework, she was reading a book.

What is a sentence? It is a written unit of language that must make sense on its own; has a capital letter at the beginning and must show demarcation at the end (. ? ! …). It is a written unit of language that must make sense on its own; has a capital letter at the beginning and must show demarcation at the end (. ? ! …).

There are 3 types of sentence The simple sentence The compound sentence The complex sentence

Why are there 3 types of sentence? A good writer varies the type of sentences that they use. There should be some long sentences and some short sentences. Too many simple sentences will make writing boring and difficult to read! You know what they say ‘variety is the spice of life’. A good writer varies the type of sentences that they use. There should be some long sentences and some short sentences. Too many simple sentences will make writing boring and difficult to read! You know what they say ‘variety is the spice of life’.

The simple sentence A simple sentence is called a simple sentence because it is made from only 1 clause. A simple sentence is called a simple sentence because it is made from only 1 clause.

But what is a clause?

1 CLAUSE = 1 CLAUSE = 1 SUBJECT + 1 VERB

What is a subject? A subject is always a noun. A subject is always a noun.

So why call them subjects? The subject of a sentence is always the noun that is doing something! Any other noun is called an object. The subject of a sentence is always the noun that is doing something! Any other noun is called an object. e.g. The cat ran across the road. There are 2 nouns in this sentence, but which one is doing something? There are 2 nouns in this sentence, but which one is doing something?

The verb A verb is an action or a doing word. It is also a state of being. A verb is an action or a doing word. It is also a state of being. e.g. run, laugh, tickle, think (you can always put the word “to” in front of them) e.g. run, laugh, tickle, think (you can always put the word “to” in front of them) State of being: words that tell us about the subject’s state. State of being: words that tell us about the subject’s state. e.g. is, was, has e.g. is, was, has

Identify the word types in the sentences on your hand-out.

Writing simple sentences. Writing simple sentences.

Once the children have mastered the simple sentence; they can use this knowledge to build compound and complex sentences. Once the children have mastered the simple sentence; they can use this knowledge to build compound and complex sentences. This is because the knowledge of sentence structure all stems from a clause. This is because the knowledge of sentence structure all stems from a clause.

The compound sentence How many clauses do you think there are in a compound sentence? How many clauses do you think there are in a compound sentence?

2 CLAUSES = 2 SUBJECTS + 2 VERBS

I like shoes. I love handbags.

The compound sentence I like shoes and I love handbags. I like shoes and I love handbags.

A compound sentence is essentially 2 simple sentences joined together using a connective. Each idea is equal in a compound sentence. A compound sentence is essentially 2 simple sentences joined together using a connective. Each idea is equal in a compound sentence. Other connectives used in a compound sentence are or, but & because Other connectives used in a compound sentence are or, but & because Please discourage children from starting sentences with and, but or because. Please discourage children from starting sentences with and, but or because.

, but When using but in a compound sentence, you must always remember to put a comma before it.

A COMMON MISTAKE MADE WHEN WRITING COMPOUND SENTENCES IS THE COMMA SPLICE. The comma splice occurs when the writer tries to stick together 2 clauses in a sentence without using a connective. The comma splice occurs when the writer tries to stick together 2 clauses in a sentence without using a connective.

COMMA-SPLICE e.g. I like shoes, I love handbags. (mistake) I like shoes, I love handbags. (mistake) I like shoes and I love handbags. (correct) I like shoes and I love handbags. (correct) I like shoes ; I love handbags. (correct) I like shoes ; I love handbags. (correct)

COMMA SPLICE OR CORRECT? The young boy turned the handle slowly, he entered the room cautiously. The young boy turned the handle slowly, he entered the room cautiously.

COMMASPLICE!

Writing compound sentences.

THE COMPLEX SENTENCE The complex sentence, once mastered, is the sentence that can have a great impact on the quality of writing. The complex sentence, once mastered, is the sentence that can have a great impact on the quality of writing. Unlike the compound sentence, the ideas in the complex sentence are not equal. The writer is able to make a choice about which idea they would like to emphasise. Unlike the compound sentence, the ideas in the complex sentence are not equal. The writer is able to make a choice about which idea they would like to emphasise.

Her heart pounded. She ran. Her heart pounded and she ran. Her heart pounded as she ran.

THE COMPLEX SENTENCE Her heart pounded as she ran. Her heart pounded as she ran. Her heart pounded Her heart pounded MAIN CLAUSE (makes sense on its own and could be a simple sentence) MAIN CLAUSE (makes sense on its own and could be a simple sentence) as she ran. as she ran. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (does not stand alone as a sentence) SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (does not stand alone as a sentence)

THE COMPLEX SENTENCE Her heart pounded as she ran. As she ran, her heart pounded. You can move the subordinate clause to the beginning of the sentence depending on which idea you want to emphasise. But, if you do decide to put the subordinate clause first, you should use a comma to separate the clauses. You can move the subordinate clause to the beginning of the sentence depending on which idea you want to emphasise. But, if you do decide to put the subordinate clause first, you should use a comma to separate the clauses.

SUBORDINATING CONNECTIVES asatwhenwhile if so until before

When learning about the complex sentence, it is very important that children remember the subordinate connectives. When learning about the complex sentence, it is very important that children remember the subordinate connectives. This knowledge is crucial as it enables them to able to identify and write complex sentences independently. This knowledge is crucial as it enables them to able to identify and write complex sentences independently.

Writing complex sentences. Writing complex sentences.

Adverbial Phrases Adverbial phrases are added to sentences to provide information about time, manner and place. They are always followed by a comma. When?Where?How?

When? At three o’clock, As the sun rose, As the man stood up, Until they went to school, Before he could utter a word, While sitting patiently, For several minutes, Twice a year,

Where? Adverbials of place often contain prepositions: In the corner of the room, At the top of the hill, Slotted between the bookcase, Towards Paris, In Wycombe,

How? Adverbials of manner can be one word (adverb): Silently,Cautiously, Adverbial phrase: With tears in her eyes, At a fast trot, In a leisurely way,

Now that you know all about sentence structure, devise a paragraph to describe the events linked to the following image. Remember to vary your sentence structure and to use adverbial phrases. You may want to use a short simple sentence for effect.