4. Simple sentence
This pattern is an example of a simple
sentence:
Independent clause [ . ]
Doctors are concerned about the rising death
rate from asthma.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/604/01/
5. Compound Sentence
This pattern is an example of a compound
sentence with a coordinating conjunction:
Independent clause [ , ] coordinating
conjunction independent clause [ . ]
There are seven coordinating
conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
Example: Doctors are concerned about
the rising death rate from asthma, but
they don't know the reasons for it.
6. Compound Sentence
This pattern is an example of a compound
sentence with a semicolon.
Independent clause [ ; ] independent clause [ . ]
Example: Doctors are concerned about the
rising death rate from asthma; they are
unsure of its cause.
7. Compound Sentence
This pattern is an example of a compound sentence
with an independent marker.
Independent clause [ ; ] independent marker [ , ]
independent clause [ . ]
Examples of independent markers are the following:
therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however,
also.
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising
death rate from asthma; therefore, they have called
for more research into its causes.
8. Complex Sentence
This pattern is an example of a complex
sentence with a dependent marker.
Dependent marker dependent clause[ , ]
Independent clause[ . ]
Examples of dependent markers are as
follows: because, before, since, while,
although, if, until, when, after, as, as if.
Example: Because doctors are concerned
about the rising death rate from asthma, they
have called for more research into its causes.
9. Complex Sentence
This pattern is an example of a complex
sentence with a dependent marker.
Independent clause dependent marker
dependent clause [ . ]
Examples of dependent markers are as
follows: because, before, since, while,
although, if, until, when, after, as, as if.
Example: Doctors are concerned about the
rising death rate from asthma because it is
a common, treatable illness.
10. An independent clause with an embedded
non-essential clause or phrase
First part of an independent clause [ , ] non-essential
clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [ . ]
A non-essential clause or phrase is one that can be
removed without changing the meaning of the sentence
or making it ungrammatical. In other words, the non-
essential clause or phrase gives additional information,
but the sentence can stand alone without it.
Example: Many doctors, including both pediatricians
and family practice physicians, are concerned about
the rising death rate from asthma.
11. An independent clause with an embedded
essential clause or phrase
First part of an independent clause
essential clause or phrase rest of the
independent clause [ . ]
An essential clause or phrase is one
that cannot be removed without
changing the overall meaning of the
sentence.
Example: Many doctors who are
concerned about the rising death rate
from asthma have called for more
research into its causes.
12. In groups
Discuss the sentence patterns in Stranger in a Strange Land.
1. Independent clause [ . ]
2. Independent clause [ , ]
coordinating conjunction
independent clause [ . ]
and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet
3. Independent clause [ ; ]
independent clause [ . ]
4. Independent clause [ ; ]
independent marker [ , ]
independent clause [ . ]
therefore, moreover, thus,
consequently, however, also.
5. Dependent marker
dependent clause[ , ]
Independent clause[ . ]
because, before, since, while,
although, if, until, when, after,
as, as if.
6. Independent clause dependent
marker dependent clause [ . ]
because, before, since, while,
although, if, until, when, after, as, as
if.
7. First part of an independent
clause [ , ] non-essential
clause or phrase, rest of the
independent clause [ . ]
8. First part of an independent
clause essential clause or
phrase rest of the independent
clause [ . ]
In Groups
14. Sentence Variety: Heinlein
IT WAS A QUARTER of an Earth century before Mars was
again visited by humans. Six years after the Envoy was
silent, the drone probe Zombie, sponsored jointly by the
Geographic Society and La Société Astronautique
Internationale, bridged the void and took up an orbit for the
waiting period, then returned. The photographs taken by
the robot vehicle showed a land unattractive by human
standards; her recording instruments confirmed the
thinness and unsuitability of the Arean atmosphere to
human life.
15. Write (or revise) a sentence using
this construction
IT WAS A QUARTER of an Earth century
before Mars was again visited by humans.
Expletiveconstruction/subject/prepositional
phrase/prepositional phrase: preposition-noun-
verb phrase/prepositional phrase.
16. Try this one
Six years after the Envoy was silent, the drone
probe Zombie, sponsored jointly by the
Geographic Society and La Société Astronautique
Internationale, bridged the void and took up an
orbit for the waiting period, then returned.
Introductory clause/subject/appositive
phrase/compound verb phrase with
object/prepositional phrase/appositive phrase.
17. And one more!
The photographs taken by the robot vehicle
showed a land unattractive by human
standards; her recording instruments
confirmed the thinness and unsuitability of the
Arean atmosphere to human life.
Noun phrase (subject-verb-prepositional
phrase)/ verb/direct object phrase (article-
noun-adjective-prepositional phrase)/ ;
/possessive pronoun-adjective-noun/
verb/direct object phrase/ prepositional phrase/
prepositional phrase.
18.
19. Body Language
Sometimes what people say without actually speaking
tells us a whole lot more than what comes out of their
mouths. Using body language to communicate is
natural. We all understand it intuitively—some better
than others.
As a writer, you can closely observe people’s body
language and learn how humans speak without words
so you can bring unspoken communication into your
writing.
20. Imagine two characters who are complete strangers. They
are in a bookstore. Their eyes meet across the room. You
wouldn’t write “Their eyes locked. They were instantly
attracted to each other.” That would be boring and
unimaginative. Instead, you would let the scene unfold and
describe it to the reader—how their eyes met, how one
gulped and the other blushed, how they both suddenly felt
warm, how the two of them slowly worked their way toward
the center of the store until they finally met in the horror
section.
21. The Exercise
Write a scene between two (or more)
characters in which communication is
done solely through body language.
Your scene can be a lead-in to two
characters meeting or conversing.
Avoid using the “to be” verb.
The scene should be at least one page
of non-dialogue interaction with two or
more characters.
Try to use characters to create a scene
from the story you are writing for your
second fiction project.
22. If you can’t work this into your
story, you can try one of these:
A cop, detective, or private investigator is tailing a
suspect through a small town, a big city, a mall,
amusement park, or other public area.
Strangers are always good for body language
exercises. Think about where strangers are
brought together: public transportation, classes,
elevators, and formal meetings.
Kids in a classroom aren’t supposed to be
speaking while a teacher is giving a lecture, but
they always find ways to communicate.
23. Homework
Post #15: A scene of
body language; avoid
using the “to be” verb.
Make sure to save a
draft of your project 3 to
your Google drive.
Share it with others in
your group. We will
work both electronically
and on paper at our
next meeting.
