1. I can use a range of connectives to improve the quality of my writing.

2. What is a connective? They are used to link one sentence to another or to extend a sentence. They can also be used at the beginning of a sentence.

3. There are lots of different types of connectives. Today we are mainly interested in connectives that are used to add information and cause and effect connectives. There may be others as well!!!

4. Connectives that we use to add information. And – Earth is the third planet from the Sun and one orbit takes 365 ¼ days. And – Earth is the third planet from the Sun and one orbit takes 365 ¼ days. Also – Earth is the third planet from the Sun. It is also called the Blue Planet. Also – Earth is the third planet from the Sun. It is also called the Blue Planet. As well as – As well as being the third planet from the Sun, Earth is also nicknamed the Blue Planet. As well as – As well as being the third planet from the Sun, Earth is also nicknamed the Blue Planet. Too – Earth is called the Blue Planet too. Too – Earth is called the Blue Planet too.

5. Cause and effect connectives. Because – Venus is the hottest planet because it is covered in thick clouds of carbon dioxide. Because – Venus is the hottest planet because it is covered in thick clouds of carbon dioxide. So – Pluto is millions of miles away so we do not know much about it. So – Pluto is millions of miles away so we do not know much about it. Therefore- Mars is covered in thick, red dust, therefore it is sometimes nicknamed the Red Planet. Therefore- Mars is covered in thick, red dust, therefore it is sometimes nicknamed the Red Planet. Consequently - Rocks have crashed into the Moon, consequently it is covered in craters Consequently - Rocks have crashed into the Moon, consequently it is covered in craters

6. Connectives – but and however However – The Moon is not a light source, however it reflects light from the Sun. However – The Moon is not a light source, however it reflects light from the Sun. But – The Moon is not a light source but it reflects light from the Sun. But – The Moon is not a light source but it reflects light from the Sun.

7. Now, let’s have a go! Read the sentences with your partner and decide which connective is the best.

8. Mercury is a small planet. Pluto is the smallest Mercury is a small planet, however Pluto is the smallest. Mercury is a small planet but Pluto is the smallest

9. The yellow colour is caused by Sulphuric acid. Scientists believe it may have volcanoes which are still active. The yellow colour is caused by sulphuric acid, therefore Scientists believe it may have volcanoes which are still active.

10. Venus is a very bright planet. It is in fact the brightest object in the sky except for the Sun and Moon. Venus is a very bright planet, and is in fact the brightest object in the sky except for the Sun and the Moon

11. The Moon has lots of craters. Rocks have crashed into it. The Moon has lots of craters because rocks have crashed into it. Rocks have crashed into the Moon, consequently it is covered in craters.

12. Venus orbits the Sun in a clockwise direction. The other planets orbit the Sun in an anti-clockwise direction. Venus orbits the Sun in a clockwise direction, however the other planets orbit the Sun in an anti-clockwise direction.