Mastering Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences
Grade 10 English Language Arts Understanding Sentence Structure Building Writing Skills
What Do You Notice?
I run. I run and you walk. When I run, you walk.
Building Blocks of Sentences
Subject: What or who the sentence is about Predicate: What the subject does or what is said about it Independent Clause: Can stand alone as a sentence Dependent Clause: Cannot stand alone, needs an independent clause
Simple Sentences
Contains ONE independent clause Has ONE subject and ONE predicate Example: The dog barks. Example: She reads every night.
Compound Sentences
Contains TWO independent clauses Joined by coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) Example: I run, and you walk. Example: He studies hard, and he passes his exams.
Complex Sentences
Contains ONE independent clause and at least ONE dependent clause Dependent clause starts with subordinating conjunctions Example: When I run, you walk. Example: Although it was cold, we went swimming.
Sentence Sorting Challenge
Work in pairs Sort sentence cards into three categories Identify subjects, predicates, and clause types Create one new sentence of each type
Writing with Variety
"Good writers use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to create rhythm and flow in their writing."