Integrating Technology into Developmental Writing Sentence Patterns

Lesson Objectives To understand several basic sentence patterns To apply patterns to improve meaning and flow of sentences and paragraphs

Sentences as Units and Patterns Each sentence, even a very short one, is a single unit of thought. This thought can be stated through several different patterns or structures. Writers organize clauses and phrases into patterns to affect both the meaning and the flow of text for readers. Understanding sentence patterns can help you revise your writing effectively.

Terms to Describe Sentence Patterns Independent clause: a group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone Dependent clause: a group of words with a subject and verb that can’t stand alone because it does not state a complete thought. Coordinating word: a word such as and, but, or; in one pattern this word is used with a comma to connect two independent clauses. Transitional word: a word that makes a connection between two sentences, paragraphs, or parts of a sentence. In one sentence pattern words like moreover, however, furthermore are used to connect two sentences. Phrase: a group of words that cannot stand alone because they lack a subject or a verb or both.

Several Patterns This lesson will present eight common patterns, but the language is not limited to these eight. We can divide the patterns presented here into three basic structures: 1. A single independent clause 2. Two independent clauses combined 3. An independent clause combined with a dependent clause

Simple Sentence: A Single Independent Clause A single independent clause has a subject and a verb. Can you find the subject and verb in the sentence above?

Two Independent Clauses Connected by a Coordinating Word Two independent clauses may be left as separate sentences. But short sentences are often combined. In the sentence above, we can connect the two independent clauses using a comma and the coordinating word “but.” In this case “but” is called a coordinating conjunction. Other coordinating words are and, or, for, so. The comma must follow the first sentence.

Two Independent Clauses Connected by a Semicolon Sometimes we keep independent clauses separate; sometimes we connect them with a semicolon. The semicolon is a simple way of combining two sentences; the mark shows they are equal in some way.

Two Independent Clauses Connected by a Transitional Expression Writers must use punctuation to note  the end of the first independent clause and  a pause after the transitional expression. Example: We can connect two independent clauses with a semicolon alone; however, some writers introduce the second clause in this pattern by a transitional word (“however” in this sentence) followed by a comma. Other transitional expressions include: moreover, furthermore, thus, therefore, nevertheless, consequently.

Dependent and Independent Clause Punctuation must mark the pause in this sentence pattern. When the dependent clause comes first, a comma follows. Because readers naturally pause after this opening clause, writers remember to use the comma.

Independent and Dependent Clause We omit the comma if the dependent clause comes last. Occasionally writers will insert a comma in this sentence pattern because they believe a pause is appropriate. However, most grammar handbooks say the comma is omitted whenever the independent clause appears first.

An Independent Clause with an Interrupter We may write a single independent clause interrupted with a phrase or clause: The interrupting phrase or clause, which makes us pause, is separated by commas.

An Independent Clause Followed by a List The list may be introduced by a colon, or the list may simply be part of the independent clause. The items in the series are separated by commas. In this lesson, terms used in explaining sentence patterns include: independent clause, dependent clause, coordinating word, and transitional word. The pattern above may also be written without the colon that introduces the list, especially if the items listed are single words.

Combining Sentence Patterns In the following example, two patterns are combined. What are they? We first identify the basic structure, and then we look for the more specific pattern; the three basic structures are: a single independent clause, two independent clauses, and an independent and dependent clause.

Eight Possible Patterns 1.A single independent clause 2.Two independent clauses connected by comma and coordinating word 3.Two independent clauses connected by semicolon 4.Two independent clauses connected by semicolon and connecting word 5.Dependent clause followed by comma and independent clause 6.Independent clause followed by dependent clause 7.Independent clause with interrupting phrase or clause 8.Independent clause followed by list

Review Identify the various sentence patterns or structures in the text readings. Reread your own writing to recognize sentence patterns you have used. Identify any confusing or incorrect structures. Revise sentences by  Applying an appropriate pattern  Varying patterns to improve the flow of sentences and paragraphs