Three Basic Rules for Writing
Be as interesting as possible.
Be clear.
Know your audience.
Simple Sentences
 Never discount the beauty of a clearly stated simple
sentence.
 Patterns:
SV
 S V and V
 S and S V
 S and S V and V
 Throw in some prepositional phrases, direct objects,
indirect objects and the sentence can sound complicated
but still be called a simple sentence.
Compound Sentences
 Two simple sentences joined with a comma +
conjunction or a semicolon.
 Patterns:
 S V; SV
or
S V, conjunction S V
 S V and V
 S and S V
these patterns may also appear
 S and S V and V
 Throw in some prepositional phrases, direct objects,
indirect objects and the sentence can sound complicated
but still be called a compound sentence.
Complex Sentences
 Patterns:
 [signal word S V], S V
 S V [signal word S V].
Note: A dependent clause
always has a
subject and a verb.
Complex Sentences
The [bracketed] phrases in the following sentences add
information to the base sentence but cannot stand alone:
[If the temperature stays close to freezing], we can join
the polar bear club for a dip in the lake.
 I told him that his new print on the wall looked like an
interesting prehistoric drawing of a fish, [although I
really just wanted to laugh].
 The children need to go to bed, [whether or not they
want to], no later than 8:00 p.m.
Complex Sentences
Certain words traditionally start off the
subordinate, or dependent, parts of the complex
sentence:
before.....while.....if.....where
after.....because.....whether.....whereas
though.....since.....unless.....as
although.....when.....because.....as if
The complex sentence is an effective way to show that one
idea takes precedence over another. The idea in the
complete sentence base is more important than the
idea in the dependent phrase.
Complex Sentences
In the following example from one student's proposal to implement
a county fire investigation team, see how he downplays certain
information [in the dependent phrases] while highlighting his own
ideas in the complete sentence base:
[While the effectiveness of investigations by the Sheriff's
Department is not questioned], the investigations are very costly
both in the amount of time personnel are taken away from other
police work and the cost of paying the personnel who conduct the
investigations.
[With the movement of fire investigation from the Sheriff's
Department to a county fire investigation team], the investigation of
fires determined to be accidental in nature could be completed by
volunteer members of the team who at the most would be
reimbursed mileage expenses.
Complex Sentences
Here are some simple rules to remember when combining simple sentences into
complex sentences:
Don't repeat words. Change words if necessary. Add words to connect ideas.
Complex Sentence Exercise
Combine the following sentences into complex sentences. Remember that a
number of answers may be correct.
His name is Peter.
He's a famous professional athlete.
He's a baseball player.
He has a large house in Miami.
The house is beautiful.
He often travels around the US.
He plays away games in different cities in the US.
Complex Sentences
He travels by airplane.
He usually sleeps on the plane.
He stays up late after games.
He is an excellent pitcher.
Fans love his abilities.
Coaches love his abilities.
Every week he plays a home game.
The game is played in Glover Stadium.
The game is usually sold out.
Glover Stadium is old.
Glover Stadium doesn't have enough seats for all the fans.
The fans wait in line to buy tickets.
The fans often pay more than $60 dollars for a ticket.
The fans are unhappy about the ticket prices.
The fans love Peter.
Complex Sentences
Assignment:
• Write a paragraph of at least 8 sentences.
• Four sentences should be simple.
• One sentence should be compound.
• Three sentences should be complex.
Analyze where to most effectively place the sentences.
Of course a title is needed. Identify each sentence pattern
in ( ) right after each sentence.
Example: The squirrel found the acorns. (S)
Topic: pure happiness
[Be specific! Drop the reader into the ACTION!]