This document provides instruction on different types of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. It defines each sentence type and provides examples. It encourages using varied sentence structures to make writing more interesting. Later, it has students practice identifying sentence types and transforming sentences. It also includes writing and peer review activities.

1. Writing Warm Up
Directions:
 Take out a piece of paper.
 Do NOT write your name at the top.
 Write a paragraph describing one of your shoes.
 Describe your shoe in as much detail as possible
WITHOUT writing down the name brand of the
shoe.

2. Simple, Compound, Complex
and Compound-Complex
Sentences in Your Writing

3. Learning Target
 I can use varied syntax to link major
sections of my writing.
 This means I can use the four different
types of sentence structures in my response
to make my writing more interesting and
cohesive.

4. Once a writer knows the
difference amoung the four
sentence types (simple, compound,
complex, and compound-complex),
it is possible to write with sentence
variety.

5. Simple Sentence
 A simple sentence contains a subject and a
verb.
 It expresses a single complete thought.
 A simple sentence is composed of one
independent clause.
 An independent clause can stand by itself.

6. Sample Simple Sentences
 The cat crept through the dark house.
 The wary mouse watched from underneath
an upturned cereal box.
 The predatory cat stopped and surveyed his
surroundings.
 The mouse darted for the safety of the
nearly invisible hole under the cabinet.

7. Compound Sentences
 A compound sentence contains two
independent clauses.
 Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
join these independent clauses.
 Hint: The conjunctions spell FANBOYS.

8. Sample Compound Sentences
 The cat was unsuccessful in his attempt to
catch the mouse, and the mouse was not
able to get the cheese.
 The dog had watched all of this, but he
refused to become involved.
 The mouse could wait until dark, or he
could risk a daylight raid on the pantry.
 The cat usually slept during the day, yet
curiosity held him at the corner of the
kitchen.

9. Complex Sentences
 A complex sentence is an independent
clause joined by one or more dependent
clauses.
 A subordinating conjunction begins the
dependent clauses.
 A dependent clause that begins a sentence
must be followed by a comma.
 A dependent clause has a subject and a
verb, but it does not make sense on its own.

10. Subordinating Conjunctions
after how until
although if unless
as in as much as if
in order that when as long as
at least whenever as much as
now that whereas soon
wherever as though since
while because so that
before even if that
even though though

11. Sample Complex Sentences
 After he gave it some thought, the mouse
decided to wait until later for his walk.
 The cat fell asleep on the warm kitchen
floor because he was deprived of sleep the
night before.
 When the mouse heard the soft snoring of
his sleeping nemesis, he scurried to the
pantry and grabbed enough food for a week.

12. Compound-Complex Sentences
 A compound-complex sentence is a
sentence that has at least two independent
clauses and at least one dependent clause.
 The same subordinating conjunctions are
used to introduce the dependent clauses.
 The same coordinating conjunctions
(FANBOYS) are used for joining the
independent clauses.

13. Sample Compound-Complex
Sentences.
 After the two adversaries had spent years playing
this “cat and mouse” game, they were joined by
their children, and the fun continued.
 Even though it seems the two were bent on the
other’s destruction, the cat and mouse were rather
fond of one another, and neither wanted the other’s
defeat.
 This game was begun thousands of years ago, and
it will continue far into the future as other cats and
mice revel in hide-and-seek.

14. Practice – Simple, Compound, Complex, or
Compound-Complex?
1. Juan played football while Jane went shopping.
2. Juan played football, and Jim played baseball.
3. Although Central High has a better team, they lost the
tournament, and their more aggressive style did not pay
off.
4. Naomi passed the test because she studied hard, but Stacy
did not understand the material.
5. I love living in Kentucky.

15. Mini Quiz
 Directions: Transform this simple sentence
into a compound, complex, and compound-
complex sentence.
 Simple Sentence: Jack and Jill went up the
hill to fetch a pail of water.
 1. Compound-
 2. Complex-
 3. Compound-Complex-

16. Shoe Activity
 Take off your shoes and put it in the front of the
room.
 Everyone will receive a description of a shoe (not
your own).
 While you are answering your writing prompt, I
will call one row to the front of the room at a time,
and you will be given three minutes to find the
correct shoe and return it to your classmate.

17. Writing Prompt
 “Describe an event in your life that has
caused a change in you.”
 Write three to four well developed
paragraphs.
 Concentrate on varying your sentence
structure.

18. Peer Review
 Read your papers to a partner.
 Trade papers and identify two examples of
each sentence structure type.
 You will need to label eight sentences.
 If your partner does not have varied syntax,
work together to rewrite the sentences.

19. Reminders
 Don’t forget to do TCA Prep at home.
 Check the class Google Group for important
reminders.
 http://groups.google.com/group/landonengli
sh3/members?hl=en