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Sentence Structures Jigsaw

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Sentence Structures Jigsaw

Work with your group to explore simple, compound, and complex sentences. Complete the analysis questions independently, then compare your reasoning. Use the writing prompts to create your own examples.

Part A: Become a sentence expert

Your group will focus on one sentence structure. Use these definitions and examples, discuss how the examples work, and prepare to teach your group. A simple sentence has one independent clause: “The lantern glowed.” A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined appropriately: “The lantern glowed, and the stars appeared.” A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause: “When night fell, the lantern glowed.”

1.Which structure will your expert group study?

Simple sentence
Compound sentence
Complex sentence
The structure assigned to your group

2.In your own words, explain the structure your group is studying. Include the number and kind of clauses it contains.

3.Write one original example of the sentence structure your group is studying. Underline its subject once and its predicate twice.

4.Teach your sentence structure to a classmate. Explain what makes it distinctive and share your example.

Part B: Identify the structure

For each sentence, classify it as simple, compound, or complex. A simple sentence may have a compound subject or predicate and still contain only one independent clause.

5.The robotics team tested its design after lunch.

Simple
Compound
Complex

6.Although the trail was steep, the hikers reached the lookout.

Simple
Compound
Complex

7.Gabriel revised her introduction, and Benjamin checked the citations.

Simple
Compound
Complex

8.The northern lights appeared above the lake.

Simple
Compound
Complex

9.The library stayed open late because students were preparing for exams.

Simple
Compound
Complex

10.The bus arrived early, so we had time to find our seats.

Simple
Compound
Complex

Part C: Examine clauses

Read the sentence carefully. Identify the subject, predicate, independent clause, and dependent clause where each is present.

11.In “After the last bell sounded, the science club organized its materials,” identify the subject of the independent clause.

12.In “While the rain fell, the gardeners covered the seedlings,” identify the predicate of the independent clause.

13.In “Because the road was closed, the delivery took another route,” copy the dependent clause.

14.In “When the lights dimmed, the audience grew quiet,” copy the independent clause.

15.In “Theo and Amir planned the display,” name the complete subject and the complete predicate.

Part D: Build and reflect

Create sentences that demonstrate how changing clause structure can shape your writing.

16.Write a simple sentence about preparing for a community event. Include one independent clause.

17.Write a compound sentence about a winter activity. Join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction and the correct punctuation.

18.Write a complex sentence about completing a project. Include one dependent clause and one independent clause.

19.Write a compound-complex sentence about a team working towards a goal. Include at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

20.Explain how varying sentence structures can make a piece of writing clearer or more engaging. Support your explanation with an example or a reason.