This document discusses sentence variety, specifically compound and complex sentences. It defines a compound sentence as containing two or more independent clauses joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction or semicolon. A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause, which is a fragment that cannot stand alone. Some examples of compound and complex sentences are provided to illustrate the differences.

1. Writers’ Workshop:
Sentence Variety

2. WRITING
COMPOUND SENTENCES

3. What is a compound sentence?
Contains TWO or more independent
clauses...
Combined with a comma (,) and a
coordinating conjunction
OR .... just a semicolon (;)

4. Independent Clauses?????
A sentence that can stand on its own! (A
complete thought!)
LIKE.....
Students write creative stories.
Seventh graders use descriptive language.

5. Coordinating conjunctions?????
For But
And Or
Nor Yet So
Conjunctions are joining words. They
join two clauses together to make two
separate sentences into one big one.

6. COMBINE THEM!!
Compound sentence using a comma
with a coordinating conjunction:
Students write creative stories, and
seventh graders use very descriptive
language.

7. COMBINE THEM – Choice #2!!
Compound sentence using a semicolon:
Students write creative stories; seventh
graders use very descriptive language.

8. PRACTICE:
SUBJECT is the WHO
VERB is WHAT they are doing
Some students ate in the cafeteria, but
others went outside in the sunshine.
Some students ate in the cafeteria, but
others went outside in the sunshine.

9. SIMPLE OR
COMPOUND?

12. COMPLEX SENTENCES

13. What is a complex sentence?
Contains one independent clause and at
least one subordinate clause...
A subordinate clause is a FRAGMENT – it
cannot stand alone in a sentence.

14. Subordinate Clauses?????
A phrase that cannot stand on its own!
(An incomplete thought or fragment)
Begins with words like - who, whose, whom,
which, that, after, as, because, if, since, before,
when
… because I like to read
… since we had to work on our project

15. Building a Complex Sentence
Separate the subordinate clause from
the independent clause with a comma.
Because I like to read, I downloaded
library books onto my Kindle.

16. Compound or Complex?
If I wash the dishes, will you cook
dinner?
If I wash the dishes, will you cook
dinner? (COMPLEX)
Text me tonight, and we’ll make plans
for the weekend.
Text me tonight, and we’ll make plans
for the weekend. (COMPOUND)