A Lewis dot structure represents the bonding in a compound by showing the arrangement of outer shell electrons. It uses the symbols of the elements and dots to indicate valence electrons. To make a Lewis dot structure, write the symbols of the atoms and place them near each other. Then distribute the dots representing valence electrons between the atoms to show how they are shared or bonded to complete the outer electron shells. For example, a Lewis dot structure of water H2O shows two hydrogen atoms single bonded to an oxygen atom by sharing their single electrons.