Learning objective:I can make my writing more
sophisticated by using extended sentences.
Improving Sentences
Grammar Week
Key wordsSubordinator - linking words that join clauses
Subordinate clause – adds to/explains another clause (sentence) but doesn’t make sense on its own.
Types of sentenceSimple - contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete
thought. Eg: Some students like to study in the mornings. (subject) (verb)
Compound – two separate clauses brought together by a connectiveEg: Alejandro played football, so Maria went shopping. (subject) (verb) (connective) (subject) (verb)
Complex - has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses; always has a subordinator
Eg: After they finished studying, Juan and Maria went to the cinema. (subordinator) (verb) (comma) (subject) (verb)
How to improve your sentencesStarting sentence: The monkey ran
Let’s describe HOW the monkey ran by adding an _____________.
‘ing’ or ‘ed’ verbStartled, the monkey ran
How to improve your sentences
Starting sentence: Startled, the monkey ran
Let’s describe the monkey itself by adding an _________.
adjectiveStartled, the tiny monkey ran
How to improve your sentences
Starting sentence: Startled, the tiny monkey ran
Let’s describe why the tiny monkey ran.
Startled by the parrot, the tiny monkey ran
How to improve your sentences
Starting sentence: Startled by the parrot, the tiny monkey ran
Let’s describe when the tiny monkey ran.
When it was startled by the parrot, the tiny monkey ran
How to improve your sentences
Starting sentence: When it was startled by the parrot, the tiny monkey ran.
Let’s describe the parrot.
When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, the tiny monkey ran
How to improve your sentences
Starting sentence: When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, the tiny monkey ran .
Let’s extend the sentence with a semi-colon and question.
When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, the tiny monkey ran off into the forest; is it lost?
How to improve your sentences
Starting sentence: When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, the tiny monkey ran off into the forest; is it lost?
Let’s add a subordinate clause to give more information.
When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, which was perched on a tree, the tiny monkey ran off into the forest; is it lost?
How to improve your sentences
Starting sentence: When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, the tiny monkey ran off into the forest; is it lost?
Let’s add an adverb to complete the final sentence.
When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, which was perched on a tree, the tiny monkey ran off quickly into the forest; is it lost?
How to improve your sentences
Final sentence: When it was startled by the brightly-coloured parrot, which was perched on a tree, the tiny monkey ran off quickly into the forest; is it lost?
So we have added: verb, adjective, cause, time, semi-colon, question, subordinate clause.
Now we have a complex sentence (that does not run on!) with lots of detail.
Your turnStarting sentence: A leaf fellAdd: describe when_____________ , a leaf fell
Add: adjective (1)___(When)____, a _______ leaf fell
Add: ‘ing’ or ‘ed’ verb____(When)____, , a __(adjective)__ leaf _______ (replace fell with a more descriptive word)
Add: describe where____(When)____, , a __(adjective)__ leaf ___(drifted/grazed/fliuttered) ___(where)____
Add: subordinate clause____(When)____, _______(subordinate clause)_____ , a __(adjective)__ leaf ___(drifted/grazed/fliuttered) ___(where)____
Add: adjective (2)____(When)____, _______(subordinate clause)_____ , a __(adjective)__ leaf ___(drifted/grazed/fliuttered) (adjective 2) ___(where)____
Add: describe why____(When)____, _______(subordinate clause)_____ , a __(adjective)__ leaf ___(drifted/grazed/fliuttered) (adjective 2) ___(where)____because ____________________________________.
Add: a semi-colon and question at the end____(When)____, _______(subordinate clause)_____ , a __(adjective)__ leaf ___(drifted/grazed/fliuttered) (adjective 2) ___(where)____
because ______________________________________; ___(question)____
Add: Adverb____(When)____, _______(subordinate clause)_____ , a __(adjective)__ leaf __ (adverb) _(drifted/grazed/fliuttered) (adjective 2) ___(where)____ because ______________________________________; ___(question)____
Your turnStarting sentence: A leaf fell
Final sentence: Yesterday, in the woods, a golden leaf drifted silently to the muddy ground because it was windy; how many more will fall?
PlenaryWrite a detailed, descriptive sentence about this picture.
Try to make it at least 20 words long
