#sentence writing can be painful to teach, especially for a Middle School teacher who believes their students should already know how to write a sentence and yet seem to still lack the basic skills. This presentation simplifies the three basic sentence structures -- complex, compound and simple in a way that makes it easier for 6th-7th-8th and higher grades can understand. I even recommend it as a starter to many English College classes. https://www.facebook.com/teacher1stop

1. Simple, Compound & Complex
Types of Sentence Structure Made

2. Independent Clause
• The word independent means …. It can stand
by itself…..IT IS A COMPLETE THOUGHT!
• So….an Independent Clause is the same thing
as a Simple Sentence
• It has a Subject and a Verb.
• It can have the following: SSV, SVV, SSVV or of
course SV

3. Dependent Clause
• IT CANNOT STAND BY ITSELF….it doesn’t make
sense all alone because it is dependent on
something else.
• Is exactly like an Independent Clause except….
– IT HAS A SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION IN
FRONT OF IT.
– Examples of subordinating conjunctions on the
next slide

4. Subordinating Conjunctions
After
Although
As
in order that
At least
now that
wherever
While
Before
even though
how
if
in as much
When
Whenever
whereas
as though
because
even if
though
Until
Unless
as if
as long as
as much as
soon
Since
so that
That

5. Simple Sentence
•
•
•
•
Has a Subject
Has a Verb
Is a complete thought
Same thing as an independent clause

6. Compound Sentence
• Two simple sentences put together with a
comma and a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
• Format is as follows: Subject Verb,
F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. Subject Verb
• For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

7. Complex Sentence
• One Independent Clause (Simple Sentence)
and One Dependent Clause
• Format is as follows: Independent Clause
Dependent Clause (no comma)
• Format is as follows: Dependent Clause
Comma Independent Clause

8. Sentence Fragments and Run-ons
• A Fragment is just part
of a sentence
• It is not a complete
thought
• It is missing either a
subject or a verb
• A Run-on goes on and
on and never seems to
get to the point.
• Usually no punctuation
or punctuated
incorrectly.

9. SUBJECT
WHO OR WHAT IS DOING THE ACTION?
VERBS
WHAT ARE THEY DOING? SHOWS ACTION

10. PREPOSITIONS TELL WHERE, HOW,
WHEN AND SHOW RELATIONSHIPS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
UNDER THE CHAIR
OVER THE CHAIR
BEFORE NOON
OF THE SOFA
BENEATH THE DESK
WHILE SKATING
AFTER DINNER

11. ADJECTIVES DESCRIBE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
COLORS – BLUE, PURPLE, RED, YELLOW
SHAPES – ROUND, SQUARE
SIZES – LARGE, HUMUNGUS, SMALL
LOOKS – PRETTY, CUTE, SWEET
PERSONALITY – KIND, GIVING, SWEET
TYPES -- ZEBRA, HUMAN
MANY OTHERS!

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