COMMUNICATION SKILLS-I

How to Use Sentence Variety to “Decorate” Your Writing

People normally talk and write using one boring sentence pattern: subject/verb subject/verb subject/verb . . .

Example: I have an adorable dog named Rosa Example: I have an adorable dog named Rosa. She is a little brown dachshund with beautiful eyes. Rosa sleeps on the couch most of the day. I throw her toy for her every day after school. My little dog is the cutest pet in the entire world!

Subject/verb, subject/verb, subject/verb is suitable for, everyday talking to communicate because . . .

. . . when you talk, your facial expressions, hand gestures, and body language “sweeten up” your speech.

However, when you write, you need to revise to “decorate” what you say!

Use a variety of sentence patterns!

Subject and Predicate The Subject is the person/place/thing/animal about which something is said. The Predicate is what is said about the subject. Examples------

A PHRASE A phrase is a group of words that makes sense but does not make complete sense. It has no subject and no predicate of its own leaving behind the dog smashing into a fence before the first test after the devastation between ignorance and intelligence broken into thousands of pieces because of her glittering smile

A CLAUSE A clause is a group of words which has its own subject and predicate. It is a mini sentence The following are examples of clauses: since she laughs at diffident men I despise individuals of low character when the saints go marching in because she smiled at him.

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE If the clause could stand by itself, and form a complete sentence , we call the clause an independent clause. The following are independent clauses: I despise individuals of low character Obediah Simpson is uglier than a rabid racoon

DEPENDENT CLAUSE Dependent clauses have a subject doing a verb, but they have a subordinate conjunction placed in front of the clause. That subordinate conjunction means that the clause can't stand independently by itself and become a complete sentence. Here are some examples of dependent clauses: since she laughs at diffident men when the saints go marching in because she smiled at him

Examples of Compound Sentences A. The shoplifter had stolen clothes, so he ran once he saw the police. B. They spoke to him in Spanish, but he responded in English. C. He was late so he hurried. D. Tom painted the house, and he replaced the windows.

EXERCISE- Identifying Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences Read the following sentences, and indicate whether each is simple, compound, or complex. 1. We rang the doorbell, but no one answered it. __________ 2. I wrote Jane a letter while she was away at camp. __________ 3. Have you seen Mr. Nelson’s garden at the back of his house? __________ 4. When Miss Jones entered the room, we all became quiet. __________ 5. Susan likes chemistry, but she likes physics better. __________ 6. Since we’ve lost every game but one, no one is excited about football this year. __________ 7. When I’m tired , I’m not good company for anyone. __________ 8. Wandering aimlessly up the path, Mr. Cutter approached the house. __________ 9. Susan sang a solo and accompanied herself on the piano. __________ 10. When the rain began, we were playing tennis. __________

ANSWERS 1. We rang the doorbell, but no one answered it. compound 2. I wrote Jane a letter while she was away at camp. complex 3. Have you seen Mr. Nelson’s garden at the back of his house? simple 4. When Miss Jones entered the room, we all became quiet. complex 5. Susan likes chemistry, but she likes physics better. compound 6. Since we’ve lost every game but one, no one is excited about football this year. complex 7. When I’m tired , I’m not good company for anyone. complex 8. Wandering aimlessly up the path, Mr. Cutter approached the house. simple 9. Susan sang a solo and accompanied herself on the piano. Simple 10. When the rain began, we were playing tennis. complex

EXERCISE- Identifying Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences 11. When Uncle Jack comes to town, we all have a good time. __________ 12. I worked all morning, and then I relaxed in the afternoon. __________ 13. Beth likes all seasons of the year, but she likes fall best. __________ 14. On our trip we drove every afternoon until five o’clock. __________ 15. Dave began to feel better before the doctor arrived. __________ 16. Whistling loudly, Ken walked past the cemetery. __________ 17. How many states can you see from Lookout Mountain? __________ 18. If you want your car really clean, let George wash it. __________ 19. I must stay home until the man comes to repair the washing machine. __________ 20. Our neighbors are going to Canada on their vacation, but we will take our vacation at home. __________

ANSWERS 11. When Uncle Jack comes to town, we all have a good time. complex 12. I worked all morning, and then I relaxed in the afternoon. compound 13. Beth likes all seasons of the year, but she likes fall best. compound 14. On our trip we drove every afternoon until five o’clock. simple 15. Dave began to feel better before the doctor arrived. complex 16. Whistling loudly, Ken walked past the cemetery. simple 17. How many states can you see from Lookout Mountain? simple 18. If you want your car really clean, let George wash it. complex 19. I must stay home until the man comes to repair the washing machine. complex 20. Our neighbors are going to Canada on their vacation, but we will take our vacation at home. compound