What is a Sentence? Mrs. DeGraw English Language Arts

Directions: Please read and copy each sentence Directions: Please read and copy each sentence. At the end of the sentence, write the correct end punctuation (period, question mark, or exclamation mark). Please read this information about private schools_____ Would you be surprised to learn that there are almost 1,500 private schools in the United States_____ A boarding school is one type of private school_____ Are these schools only for students with excellent academic skills_____ Some boarding schools were founded to teach students who did poorly at other schools_____

These boarding schools are sometimes called “second-chance schools_____ What a good name that is_____ Do students at boarding schools live and eat in dormitories on the school grounds_____ The students’ parents pay tuition to send their children to these schools_____ My, the children must study hard at those schools_____

What are the Four Types of Sentences? A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. Every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark. There are four kinds of sentences. Each has its own purpose.

Declarative Sentence A declarative sentence makes a statement or tells something. It ends with a period. Example: The library opens soon.

Interrogative Sentence An interrogative sentence asks something. It ends with a question mark. Example: Shall we get some books?

Imperative Sentence An imperative sentence gives a command or asks a request. It tells or asks someone to do something. It ends with a period. Example: Look in the card catalog. “Dance with me.”

Exclamatory Sentence “It’s a boy!” An exclamatory sentence shows excitement or strong feelings. It ends with an exclamation mark. Example: What a large book that is! “It’s a boy!”

Directions: Please read and copy each of the following sentences Directions: Please read and copy each of the following sentences. Write DEC in the blank if the sentence is a declarative sentence. Write INT if it is a question. Write IMP if it is imperative. Write EXC if it is exclamatory. _____Michael’s new friend Jorge is from Mexico. _____Jorge and his family just moved into the neighborhood. _____They live on Logan Street, which is almost two miles from school. _____Do you think Jorge will ride his bike to school? _____Michael, show him where the bike racks are.

_____Please explain the rules about not leaving the school grounds during the day. _____Do you think Jorge would mind helping Michael with his Spanish? _____Michael could certainly use the practice in conversation! _____Jorge’s English skills are very strong. _____How lucky we are to have him as a classmate! _____Do you think he will like our school? _____Make him feel as welcome as you can.

Good job! Now that’s practice a bit more. Directions: Please read and copy the following sentences. Then identify each as either declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory. The librarian helps Luis. _____ Elena, do you have a library card? _____ How quiet the library is today! _____ Speak softly. _____ The library has more than 100,000 books. _____

Directions: Write each sentence below Directions: Write each sentence below. Begin each one with a capital letter. End each one with the correct punctuation mark. Tell what kind of sentence it is and why. the library is pleasant on rainy days__________________ do you like science books__________________________ where are the books about astronomy________________ what a fantastic collection of science fiction the library has____________________________________________ put those books on the cart_________________________ Remember to tell me why.

Your Assignment: Imagine that you are planning to visit your best friend at the boarding school he or she attends. Write a letter to your friend asking about activities at the school and telling what you would like to see and do on your visit. Use at least two of each type of sentence. Write DEC next to each declarative sentence. Write INT next to each interrogative sentence. Write IMP next to each imperative sentence. Write EXC next to each exclamatory sentence. Use correct punctuation for each sentence.

Congratulations!!! You have done a fabulous job learning about the four types of sentences!!