The Writing Process•Basic Sentence Structure•Complete Sentences•Types of Sentences•Fragments•Run-Ons

•Paragraphs•Elements of a Paragraph•Outlining

Sentences

•Complete Sentences•Types of Sentences•Compound Sentences

•Fragments•Run-On Sentences

Complete Sentences

A complete sentence has a subject and a predicate that work together to make a complete thought.

Bobby laughed until he cried.

Complete Sentences

In order for a sentence to be complete it must have the following items:

Start with a capital letter Have a noun or pronoun as the subject Have an action or linking verb with or

without helping verbs End with some form of punctuation:

period, exclamation point, or a question mark

Has a complete thought

Types of Sentences

There are four types of sentences. Exclamatory

Shows strong emotion & ends with an ! Interrogative

Asks a question & ends with a ? Imperative

Makes a demand or command & ends with a period.

Declarative Makes a statement & ends with a period

Combining SentencesSentences have to be

combined to avoid the boredom that would happen if all sentences were the same length.

Avoid using several “simple” sentences.

Compound SentencesContains two independent clauses

joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.

The coordinating conjunctions are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Sentence Fragments

A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself.

Sentence Fragments

May locate something in time and place, but lack a subject-verb relationship.

Last Saturday after the ballgame at the ice cream shop.

Sentence Fragments

May describe something, but do not have a subject-verb relationship.

Shooting just before the buzzer rang and hoping to score the winning point.

Sentence Fragments

May have most of the makings of a sentence, but still are missing an important part of a verb phrase.

Some of us going together to the mall.

Sentence Fragments

May have a subject-verb relationship, but cannot stand by itself because it is missing information to make it a complete thought.

Even though she was the prettiest girl and had a great talent presentation.

Run-On Sentences

A RUN-ON SENTENCE (sometimes called a fused sentence) has at least two parts.

one part can stand by itself the other part needs to be connected

together with one or two words The run-on can be corrected with a

semi-colon. (;) or by using Conjunctions

Run-On Sentences

Remember: The length of a sentence really has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on or not; even a very short sentence could be a run-on sentence.

• The books are heavy don’t carry them. (incorrect)

• The books are heavy; don’t carry them.

Run-On Sentences

When two clauses are connected by only a comma, they are a run-on sentence that is called a comma-splice.

The books are heavy, don’t carry them.

Run-On sentences happen

when an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause.

The game is going to be very close you have to play your best.

Run-On sentences also happen

when two clauses are connected by words such as however, moreover, or nevertheless.

My mom packed my lunch today however she forgot to put in my drink.

The ParagraphA paragraph is a collection of

related sentences dealing with a single topic.

Paragraphs are ALWAYS indented

Basic Rule of Paragraphs Keep one idea to one paragraph.

One idea and several bits of supporting evidence

Several points as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph

If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph.

Elements of a ParagraphA paragraph should contain

each of the following:

Unity Coherence Topic Sentence Adequate Development

UnityThe entire paragraph

should concern itself with a single focus.

It begins with a one focus or major point of discussion.

Coherence is the trait that makes the

paragraph easily understandable to a reader.

The paragraph will flow easily

Topic Sentences Topic sentences indicate a general idea

or relate thesis information and what the paragraph is going to deal with.

Most topic sentences are located within the first few sentences.

Never use a question as a topic sentence!

Adequate Development The topic (which is introduced by

the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately.

Beware of “fake”paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. A paragraph is not fully developed if it is too short.

Good, adequate paragraphs have five to six sentences.

Well-Developed Paragraphs Include:

Examples and illustrations Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence,

details, and others) Compare and contrast Evaluate causes and reasons Examine effects and consequences Analyze the topic Describe the topic Offer a chronology/time segments of an

event

How do I know when to start a new paragraph?

You should start a new paragraph when: When you begin a new idea or point To contrast information or ideas Create a break if the paragraph becomes

too long or the material is complex. When you are ending your introduction

or starting your conclusion

Formal Essays In a formal essay, you NEVER use the first person

pronouns, I, me, mine etc You will never use the phrases:

I think… , In my opinion, I believe…

You will NEVER start off answering with “Yes” or “No”

You make DECLARATIVE statements.

Formal Essays

When responding to an essay prompt, you will RESTATE the prompt by paraphrasing

NEVER rewrite the prompt to use as

one of your sentences in your paragraph. That is PLAGIARIZING!!

OutliningWhy create an outline?

Aids in the process of writing Helps you organize your ideas Presents your material in a logical

form Shows the relationships among ideas

in your writing Constructs an ordered overview of

your writing

How do I create an outline?

Determine the purpose of your paper.

Develop the thesis of your paper.

Outline ContinuedThen:

Brainstorm: List all the ideas that you want to include in your paper.

Organize: Group related ideas together. Order: Arrange material in subsections

from general to specific or from abstract to concrete.

Label: Create main and sub headings.