This document outlines the structure of an in-class essay assignment. It begins with an overview of the agenda, which includes a presentation on sentence types and instruction on essay structure. It then defines and provides examples of simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. The document concludes by outlining the steps students will take to write the in-class essay, including developing a thesis, writing body paragraphs, addressing counterarguments, and concluding. As homework, students are asked to write sentences of each type and read chapters for additional context on the essay prompt.

1. Ewrt 1A
Class 2

2. Agenda
 Presentation: Four
Sentence Types
 In Class Essay
Structure

3. Types of Sentences
1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Complex
4. Compound-complex

4. #1: Simple Sentence
 A simple sentence has one subject
and one verb

I like to study grammar.
 A simple sentence is also called an
independent clause.
 An independent clause ends with a
period or semicolon.

5. Simple Sentences
 Examples:
 Carol’s sweater is red.
 You and Alex need to be
quiet.
 Ms. Bennett did a
cartwheel and a backflip.

6. #2: Compound Sentence
 A compound sentence is made up of
two or more simple sentences joined by
one of the following:

A comma and a coordinating conjunction
 I like to study grammar, and I love this class.

A semicolon
 I like to study grammar; I love this class.

A semicolon and an adverbial conjunction
 I like to study grammar; therefore, I love this class.

7. Coordinating
Conjunctions
 Coordinating Conjunctions are used to join together two
independent clauses.
 Examples:
 For
 And
 Nor
 But
 Or
 Yet
 So

8. Two independent clauses joined together
I love you, and you love me.
Independent
clause
Independent
clause

9. Semicolons
 “If the relation between the ideas expressed
in the main clauses is very close and
obvious without a conjunction, you can
separate the clauses with a semicolon”
(Little, Brown Handbook, 9th Edition, p.
361).

10. COMPOUND SENTENCE:
SEMICOLON
Kelsey has benefited from her writing
exercises; she has good grammar and
punctuation.
Tiffany works in San Francisco; she
runs The Duck.
Elaine pays attention in class; she
takes copious notes

11. COMPOUND SENTENCE:
adverbial conjunctions
MOREOVER
HOWEVER
NEVERTHELESS
OTHERWISE
THEREFORE

12. COMPOUND SENTENCE:
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
Thomas is cool; moreover, he is fashionable
.
Luke’s grandmother buys him sweaters;
however, he does not wear them.
Clause 1 Clause 2
Independent Independent

13. #3: Complex Sentence#3: Complex Sentence
 A complex sentence is a simple
sentence (independent clause) to which
a part of a sentence (dependent clause)
has been added.
 Because I like to study grammar, I
love this class.
 I love this class because I like to study
grammar.

14. A dependent clause joined to an independent clause.
(The dependent clause needs the rest of the
sentence for support.)
Because you love me, I love you.
Dependent
clause
Independent clause

15. A dependent clause contains a subject and verb. It begins
with a subordinating conjunction, and thus it does not express
a completed thought. A dependent clause is also called a
subordinate clause.
Dependent clauses, like babies, cannot stand alone.
Because you love me.
Fragment!

16. A Tip on Punctuation
 Since dependent clauses are only part
of a sentence, you can never connect
them to another sentence with a
semicolon. Semicolons are only used
between two independent clauses.
 I have loved you for years ; although I
never admitted it.
 I have loved you for years, although I never
admitted it. OK
No!

17. Common Subordinating (Dependent)
Conjunctions
after even if now that that where
although even
though
once though whereas
as if rather than unless wherever
as if whenever since until whether
because in order
that
so that when which
before than in case while

18. Complex Sentences
 Examples:
 When Trey was little, he played with
blocks.
 After class, good students study.
 If I pass 1A, I will take 1B.
 Use the stairs in case of fire.
 Ava stands at the bottom of the cliff
while the climber moves up the rock.

19. #4: Compound/Complex
Sentence
#4: Compound/Complex
Sentence
 A compound/complex sentence is the
last and most complicated type of
sentence.
 It contains at least one dependent
clause and at least two independent
clauses.

20. A dependent clause added to two or more independent
clauses
Because we are a family, I
love you, and you love me.
2 independent clauses
Dependent
clause

21. Compound Complex
Sentences
Example:
 Laura forgot her friend’s birthday, so
she sent her a card when she finally
remembered.

22. Simple Compound
Complex Compound/
complex
Every sentence in English fits into one
of these four categories,

23. Think You’ve Got It?
 1 independent clause = simple sentence
 Don’t’ forget: These can have compound subjects and
predicates!
 2 independent clauses = compound sentence
 1 or more dependent clause + 1 independent clause
= complex sentence
 2 or more independent clauses + 1 or more dep. clause
= compound complex sentence

24. Let’s Review…

25. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 The teacher walked into the classroom,
greeted the students, and took
attendance.

26. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 The teacher walked into the classroom,
greeted the students, and took
attendance.
 SIMPLE:
 Subject: “the teacher”
 Compound Predicate “walked into the
classroom, greeted the students, and took
attendance.”

27. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 Juan played football while Juanita went
shopping.

28. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 Juan played football while Juanita went
shopping.
 COMPLEX
 Independent Clause: Juan played football
 Subordinate Clause: while (subordinating
conjunction) Juanita went shopping.

29. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 Juan played football, yet Juanita went
shopping.

30. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 Juan played football, yet Juanita went
shopping.
 COMPOUND
 Juan played football, yet (coordinating
conjunction)
 Juanita went shopping.

31. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 After Reggie passed the test, he went
to the bar to celebrate!

32. Simple, Compound, or Complex?
 After Reggie passed the test, he went
to the bar to celebrate!
 COMPLEX
 After (subordinating conjunction) Reggie
passed the test,
 he went to the bar to celebrate!

33. CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU NOW KNOW EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO KNOW
• To write anything you want to
write
• Any way you want to write it
• And still get the punctuation right
each time!

34. Writing Sentences
Write two of each kind of sentence and post
them for homework. Make the sentences
relevant to your essay #1 outline.
1.Simple
2.Compound
3.Complex
4.Compound-complex

35. Example of Sentence Homework
1. Simple
1. I love to travel.
2. The plane twisted and stalled.
2. Compound
1. I crawled out of the wreckage, and I saw a man and a woman who appeared to
be dead.
2. I stumbled toward them to check; neither one was breathing.
1. Complex
1. Wherever I looked, I saw more motionless people.
2. After recovering from my shock, I headed toward the back of the plane.
1. Compound Complex
1. Because I didn’t know what kind of danger I might face, I had difficulty choosing
a weapon from among the many I found, but I settled on a small knife.
2. Rather than wear my tennis shoes, I grabbed a pair of waterproof hiking boots
from an open suitcase; however, I did not grab the socks that lay next to them.

36. Preparation:
The Essay Question
 Write an essay arguing for the supplies you have chosen to
take with you into the wild. Present the issue to readers, and
develop an argument for the purpose of confirming,
challenging, or changing your readers’ views on which supplies
are the most important for survival.
 Your final essay should be around 500 words. This will be
around four pages, hand written. This, of course, is an
estimate. Handwriting varies greatly. Between three and six
pages will likely be the norm for this essay.
 Good Luck! May the odds be ever in your favor

37. Introduction and Thesis
 Focus your presentation of the issue: Your
introduction should explain to the reader both
the situation you face and why you have limited
resources.
 Thesis: Compose a thesis that makes your
position unambiguous, appropriately qualified,
and clearly arguable. (Your thesis will likely be
near the end of your introduction).

38. Body Paragraphs
 Paragraph one: topic sentence supporting your first
item.
 Give reasons for your choice and support them with
examples, scenarios, or anecdotes.
 Paragraph two: topic sentence supporting your second
item.
 Give reasons for your choice and support them with
examples, scenarios, or anecdotes.
 Additional Paragraphs: Repeat using the same or similar
strategies

39. Counterargument:
 Write a counterargument that addresses why you wouldn’t
take the items the other people in your group think are very
important. You should address specific tools others in your
group chose to take. You may do this in each body
paragraph as you argue for your choice, or you may do it as
a separate paragraph after you finish arguing for your tools.
 For example, you might start by writing, “while some people
might prefer a sleeping bag, I found it to be a poor choice
compared to the blanket.” Then you can explain why.

40. Conclusion:
 If your adventure is over, describe how it ended and
how you have recovered, suffered, or benefitted from it.
OR
 If the adventure is ongoing, consider predicting your
future in the wild.
 What are you chances of success?
 What do you see as your biggest challenge?
 How might you fail?

41. HOMEWORK
 Read: HG through chapter 2.
 Post #2: Eight sentences—Two of each of the
four types you practiced in the slide presentation.
Make sure they are relevant to your essay
so you can include similar sentences in
your in-class essay. You may not copy
these directly into your essay.