2. Sentence Structure There are four different structures for a sentence to have. Sentences can be classified by their structure, or the number and kind of clauses they contain. A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.
3. Simple Sentences A simple sentence contains one independent clause (the subject and/or verb may be compound). An independent clause is one that can stand alone. Tom played well. Tom and Ali played well. Tom and Ali played well and won.
4. Compound Sentences A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses. The train arrived on time, but no one got on or off.
5. Complex Sentences Complex sentences contain one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause is not a sentence and cannot stand alone. Though no one got off, we still waited.
6. Compound-Complex Sentences Compound-complex sentences contain two or more independent clauses, and one or more subordinate clauses. I saw someone who looked familiar, but it was someone else.
7. Voice Voice is the form of a verb that shows whether the subject is performing the action. There are two types of voice: active and passive.
8. Passive Voice A verb is passive if its action is performed upon the subject. A set of paints was bought by Ken. My sister was driven to art school. Passive verbs are usually formed with “to be” verbs. Use the passive voice to emphasize the receiver of an action rather than the performer of the action. Maria was given an art award by a museum official. The damaged statue was placed downstairs.
9. Active Voice A verb is active if its subject performs the action. Ken bought a set of paints. My sisters drives to art school. Good writing is crisp and direct. Sentences with active verbs are less wordy and more direct than those with passive verbs. The bowl of apples was sketched by Esteban. Esteban sketched the bowl of apples.
10. Voice Many prominent nineteenth-century artists lived in France. The Frenchman Auguste Rodin is cherished by art lovers. Rodin’s birthday, November 12, is celebrated by admirers. Surprisingly, Rodin did not grow up in an artistic family. His father worked as a police officer. Early success was not experienced by Rodin. He was denied entrance to art school in Paris. Despite this setback, Rodin persevered.
11. Author’s Purpose When an author writes he/she does so with a purpose in mind. The author’s purpose may be to inform, entertain, or persuade. If it is to inform the author is seeking only to convey information to the reader. If it is to entertain the work is probably a fiction story. If it is to persuade the author is trying to convince the reader of something.
12. Author’s Purpose The day began like any other day, except she really wanted to run to the bus and get to school. She had a feeling that she was going to be named homecoming queen. Wouldn’t you like to feel safe in your neighborhood? Please join our watch group. We need good volunteers to protect our streets and report suspicious activity to the police. One of the most harmful creatures on earth is the fly. Flies spread harmful diseases. They pick up germs with their hair, spreading their germs everywhere.
13. Ways to Arrange Writing There are three prominent ways authors choose to arrange their writing. Depending on what is being written, an author may choose to arrange their writing based on order of importance, chronology, or spatial relationship.
14. Order of Importance With this type of organization details are presented from most important to least important or least important to most important. This could also be general to specific or specific to general. This type of organization allows you to build an argument. To write about safety and skiing, you might begin with the least important or most obvious – wearing warm gloves – and end with the most important safety factor – avoiding restricted zones.
15. Chronological With this type of organization events are presented in time order. This type is useful for research reports on historical topics, cause-effect essays, experiment journals, or to recount personal events. Uses words like: first, last, next, then, after, before, etc.
16. Spatial This type of organization is used when describing where things are located in relation to each other. When giving directions Descriptive writing about a person, place, or object. Uses words such as left, right, up, down, under, over, etc.
17. Punctuation Problem Area: Semicolons Used to separate independent clauses that are closely related or separated by a transitional expression, or items in a series that already contain a number of commas My sister excels at art; I can barely draw a straight line. We needed to get the spare tire in the trunk; as a result, we had to unload the trunk. I sent notes to Mr. Nielson, my science teacher; Mrs. Jenson, my history instructor; and Mrs. Seltz, the librarian.
18. Punctuation Problem Area: Colons Colons act mainly as an introductory device such as before a list of items following an independent clause He had the right qualities to be an astronaut: fitness, courage, and commitment. Before a formal appositive following an independent clause We decided to see and old movie: “The Right Stuff.” From the window, I looked out at the expanse of space and saw a familiar sight: Earth.
19. Punctuation Problem Area: Colons To introduce a quotation that is formal or lengthy or does not contain a “he said/she said” expression The speaker began with these words: “I have never been so honored in all my life.” To introduce a sentence that summarizes or explains the sentence before it The technician provided her with one piece of advice: Check the water level often.
20. Capitalization Problem Areas DO NOT capitalize prefixes with proper adjectives unless the prefix refers to a nationality all-American, pre-Renaissance, Anglo-Saxon, Sino-Russian Capitalize titles of people when it is followed by the person’s name or is used in direct address Sir, Madam, Doctor, Reverend, Sergeant, Mayor
21. Capitalization Problem Areas Capitalize all important words in compound titles, but do not capitalize prefixes & suffixes Vice President, Commander in Chief, ex-Senator Smith, President-elect Jefferson Capitalize titles showing family relationships when they refer by themselves to a specific person or when used in a direct address I need a new jacket, Mother. Did Father buy the tickets? Stan’s grandmother plays the violin.
22. Capitalization Problem Areas Capitalize the title of courses when the courses are language courses or when the course is followed by a number French English Chemistry 1A economics Economics 313
