Three Sentence Structures Basic Building Blocks for Better Writing

Why are we discussing this? “This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.” - Gary Provost

Type 1: Simple Sentence Requirements: Examples: Has a subject Has a verb Can stand on its own as a complete thought. Examples: “The Office is one of the best sitcoms ever made.” “I declare bankruptcy!”

Which are simple, which not? Because Kevin’s forehead was shiny. The floor was wet because of Senior Loadenstein. The irrigation room around the corner. Mose Schrute is hiding behind you. Inside Shrute farm well beyond where the paved road ends.

Practice Writing Simple Sentences On the next slide, write three simple sentences about the image you see.

Type 2: Compound Sentences Requirements: Two simple sentences Joined with a comma and FANBOY Examples: “Dwight knew that Jim was playing pranks on him, but he let his guard down.” “. . ., and he got hit in the face with a snowball.”

List of FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions) For And Nor But Or Yet So

Which are compound, which not? I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious. I should have a Tweeter account. Prison Mike came in the room and he said the worst thing about prison was the Dementors. I am Beyoncé, always.

Practice Writing Compound Sentences On the next slide, write two compound sentences about the image you see.

Complex Sentence Requirements: Example: FIRST: One simple sentence starting with a subordinate conjunction (dependent clause). Followed by a comma SECOND: One simple sentence. Example: “When the son of the disposed king of Nigeria emails you directly asking for help, you help him.”

List of Subordinating Conjunctions after although as because before even if even though if in order that once provided that rather than since so that than that though unless until when whenever where whereas wherever whether while

Which are complex, which aren’t? I think Creed might be my favorite side character, but Ryan is really funny sometimes. When Michael Scott left the show, I may or may not have got a little weepy. I think Andy was a pretty funny replacement as boss before he went absolutely crazy.

IMPORTANT If you put the simple sentence first and the dependent second, remove the comma. Example: “When the son of the disposed king of Nigeria emails you directly asking for help, you help him.” “You help him when the son of the disposed king of Nigeria emails you directly asking for help.”

Practice Writing Complex Sentences On the next slide, write two complex sentences about the image you see. Either type is fine.

Activity Using the sentence types we just discussed, write me a paragraph using… · 3 simple sentences · 2 compound sentences · 2 complex sentences The entire paragraph should be describing the SAME object. Feel free to either write something from your story OR google an image and describe that if you need something more visual.