Sentence Structures

Learning Goals Write a variety of sentences by using words, phrases, and clauses to link the sections of the text. 1,2, 3, or 4 Engage in Accountable Talk 1,2, 3, or 4

Common Issues The following slides showcase common problems in writing.

Comma splice: use of a comma to join two independent clauses –Ex: She went home that night, she just wanted to be alone. Fix it: –Add a conjunction –Use a semicolon –Separate the sentences into two Ex: She went home that night, for she just wanted to be alone. Comma Splice

A lot happened in my first year of high school, I have to say it was all a lesson learned on who you can and cannot trust. I always get sidetracked by any small noise, this particular noise happened to be the sound of one of the meanest girls in sixth grade. I always loved making my parents proud, they were my mentors so I had to show them what I could do. b_25/75/19253/ cw/index.html#topofquiz1 Your Turn to fix Comma Splices

Semicolon Can join two sentences together. –Ex: Jimmy took my suitcase upstairs. He left his own bag in the car. Jimmy took my suitcase upstairs; he left his own bag in the car. If a sentence has too many commas, use a semicolon to join them instead. –Ex: I wrote to Ann, Ramona, and Mai, and Jean wrote to Charles, Latoya, and Sue. I wrote to Ann, Ramona, and Mai; Jean wrote to Charles, Latoya, and Sue.

Semicolon (cont.) When you are listing things, use semicolons to join items that already contain commas. –Ex: They visited Phoenix, Arizona; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and San Antonio, Texas. –Ex: Mr. Schultz, my science teacher; Ms. O’Hara, my English teacher; Mrs. Gomez, my math teacher; and Mr. Jones, my social studies teacher, attended the seventh-grade picnic. DO NOT use semicolons to join an independent clause with a dependent clause or phrase. –Ex: I really wanted to go home; but couldn’t. –Ex: As if she read his mind; he walked to the door.

The contestants came from Dubuque, Iowa Memphis, Tennessee and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I got all dressed up for the party, however, my best friend wore jeans. Berman is a difficult language to mater, however, if you plan to be a scientist, you may want to study this language. The roof was leaking, and the walls were sagging, therefore, the Smiths hired a contractor to repair the house. Applies are usually sold by the pound oranges are sold by the dozen. Your turn using semicolons

Don’t use second person in formal writing. –You (also thee, thou, thy—but I don’t think you’ll be tempted to use these ) –Letters and “How-tos” are different. An informal style may make listeners feel more comfortable when you are speaking, but a formal writing style can make a good impression. You should sleep eight hours each night. (informal) One should sleep eight hours each night. (formal) Second Person

Too bad, because the three year old sitting in the booster seat next to you wants to scream at the top of her lungs. Running long distances in the rain is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of wrestling. It’s like when you run until you can’t feel your legs anymore. Your Turn in Revising “You”

Stay in one tense throughout your entire writing piece. Don’t shift between past and present tense. –Ex: I was so excited to go home. I arrive and tell my mom how much I can’t wait to greet my sister. –ALL PAST: I was so excited to go home. I arrived and told my mom how much I couldn’t wait to greet my sister. –ALL PRESENT: I’m so excited to go home. I arrive and tell my sister how much I can’t wait to greet my sister. Verb Tense

I tell her to wake up, and she ignored me. He screamed in my face, so I tell my mom. I laughed so hard, I start crying. Your Turn to Fix Verb Tenses

13 Variety is the key to interesting, readable sentences. As you read the paragraph below, notice that all the sentences are about the same length. Notice also that they all begin with the subject-verb pattern. It was almost Emma’s birthday. Her boyfriend Kevin had no ideas for a gift. He wandered the mall. He talked to some clerks. He came away empty- handed. Then he looked online. He was disappointed at what he saw. Emma’s birthday was only a few days away. Kevin was beginning to panic. Variety is the key to interesting, readable sentences. As you read the paragraph below, notice that all the sentences are about the same length. Notice also that they all begin with the subject-verb pattern. It was almost Emma’s birthday. Her boyfriend Kevin had no ideas for a gift. He wandered the mall. He talked to some clerks. He came away empty- handed. Then he looked online. He was disappointed at what he saw. Emma’s birthday was only a few days away. Kevin was beginning to panic. Sentence Variety

14 Sentence Variety Notice the different ways that the ideas in the first two sentences of the paragraph can be combined to give more life and variety to the writing. 1. It was almost Emma’s birthday, but her boyfriend Kevin had no ideas for a gift. (two independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but”) 2. It was almost Emma’s birthday; her boyfriend Kevin, though, had no ideas for a gift. (two independent clauses joined by a semicolon) Sentence Variety Notice the different ways that the ideas in the first two sentences of the paragraph can be combined to give more life and variety to the writing. 1. It was almost Emma’s birthday, but her boyfriend Kevin had no ideas for a gift. (two independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but”) 2. It was almost Emma’s birthday; her boyfriend Kevin, though, had no ideas for a gift. (two independent clauses joined by a semicolon)

15 Sentence Variety 3. Buying the right birthday gift for Emma required that her boyfriend Kevin come up with a good idea. (gerund phrase—phrase with -ing word used as a noun) 4. Trying to think of a gift for Emma’s birthday, Kevin could not come up with an idea. (participial phrase— phrase with -ing word used as a modifier, to modify “Kevin”) 5. Because he lacked ideas, Kevin had not bought Emma a birthday gift. (introductory subordinate clause) Sentence Variety 3. Buying the right birthday gift for Emma required that her boyfriend Kevin come up with a good idea. (gerund phrase—phrase with -ing word used as a noun) 4. Trying to think of a gift for Emma’s birthday, Kevin could not come up with an idea. (participial phrase— phrase with -ing word used as a modifier, to modify “Kevin”) 5. Because he lacked ideas, Kevin had not bought Emma a birthday gift. (introductory subordinate clause)

What is a Clause? clause subject and a predicateA clause is a related group of words with a subject and a predicate. 2 independentdependentThere are 2 types of clauses: independent and dependent.

Independent Clauses independentSomething independent does not rely on others for support. independent clause sentenceAn independent clause is simple: it’s just a sentence! So, independent clauses: express a complete thought express a complete thought, stand alonemake sense stand alone, and make sense.

Dependent Clauses dependentSomething dependent DOES rely on others for support. dependent clauseA dependent clause is a clause that has a subject and a predicate (just like a sentence). But, a dependent clause DOES NOT express a complete thought express a complete thought, stand alonemake sense stand alone, or make sense.

Dependent Markers This is where it gets tricky… dependent clause markerA dependent clause often has a marker, which is just a word that makes it dependent. Common markers include: ifsinceafterwhenwhile if, since, after, when, while, althoughbecausebefore although, because, before Need help remembering? I SAW W.A.B.B. (radio station)

Punctuating Clauses independentYou already know how to punctuate an independent clause (. / ? / !). dependent beginningIf a dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, put a comma (,) after it. dependent endIf a dependent clause comes at the end of a sentence, add an end mark (. / ? / !) after it (but NO comma before it).

Punctuating Clauses dependent clauses Look at these dependent clauses: When I cry, When I cry, my nose gets red. when I cry My nose gets red when I cry. (Notice the comma after the dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence!) Because I lied Because I lied, I can’t go. because I lied I can’t go because I lied. (Notice the comma after the dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence!)

Time for Practice! dependent Write the dependent clause, and marker underline its marker. 1.Although I’m new, I have many friends. 2.I can’t go to the park before I do my homework. 3.My sister will cry if I pull her hair. 4.While you wait, would you like some tea? 5.Since you’re late, you have more work to do.

Practice Answers! dependent Write the dependent clause, and marker Underline its marker. 1.Although I’m new 2.before I do my homework. 3.if I pull her hair. 4.While you wait 5.Since you’re late

POP Quiz! 1.Write an independent clause. 2.Write a sentence with a dependent clause at the beginning. 3.List as many of the 8 markers you learned as you can remember. 4.What makes a clause dependent? 5.When do you use a comma to set off a dependent clause? 6.Change this dependent clause into an independent clause: Since I’m going home today

POP Quiz Answers! 1.Varied answers did you remember the comma after the clause 2.Varied answers…did you remember the comma after the clause? 3.if, since, after, when, while, although, because, before 4.A marker makes a clause dependent. 5.You use a comma to set off a dependent clause when it comes at the beginning of a sentence. 6.I’m going home today.

26 THINK/PAIR/SHARE 1.READ & THINK HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE 2. Revise your Response with the skills you learned today 3. SHARE THINK/PAIR/SHARE 1.READ & THINK HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE 2. Revise your Response with the skills you learned today 3. SHARE

Read through your comments and rubric. Complete the feedback section. Then go through your essay and fix places where you made any of the following errors: –Comma splice –“You” –Semicolon misuse –In consistent verb tense If you don’t have any errors there, go through and see how you might combine some of your sentences using commas and conjunctions or semicolons to make your writing flow more smoothly. Essays

Learning Goals Write a variety of sentences by using words, phrases, and clauses to link the sections of the text. 1,2, 3, or 4 Engage in Accountable Talk 1,2, 3, or 4