Powerful Sentence Building
Common
Starters:
Transition, Pronoun,
Article, Opinion
Adjectives
Subject
Predicate
(Noun)
(Verb +
(or Synonym)
object or condition)
Where
When
How
Why
Adverb, Simile
Basic
Sentence
Other
words
--------------------(Try to use at least two of these final four)------------------
Possible
Powerful
Sentences
(This can be third sentence or a version of the first two with clauses moved around)
(You can also have students “go backward” and break down a powerful sentence into a basic sentence to practice summarizing long sentences.)
Adapted from handouts of Creating Powerful Writers workshop, West Coast Literacy Conference 2007, Carolyn Hood, Learning Headquarters
Create and refer to posters:
Sequence
First
Next
Then
Finally
Lastly
As soon as
Once
Previously
Meanwhile
Later
In conclusion
In summary
5 Senses
Chaotic
Serene
Mellifluous
Stunning
Common Sentence Starters
Cause & Effect
Compare & Contrast
Therefore
Also
If…then
However
Consequently
In addition
Given that
Likewise
Subsequently
Similarly
As a result
Yet
For this reason
Even though
Thus
On the other hand
Provided that
In comparison
This led to
In contrast
Nevertheless
Despite
Types of Adjectives
Feelings & Inner
,Appositives, & phrases
Qualities
Desperate
The painting, a priceless work, …
Hopeful
The dream that he had of…
Courageous
The dog, which never barked, …
Curious
The woman who…
Reference & evidence
For example
As stated in
In fact
According to
The author explains
The text shows
To illustrate
For instance
Abstract Subjects
Processes & Feelings
Noun clauses
Revolution
Celebration
Photosynthesis
Obsession
Extenders
Where
Above
Across
Beyond
Beside
Below
Between
Against
Within
When
Before
After
Until
During
Throughout
Often
While
Frequently
Recently
Simultaneously
Why
So
Since
Because
Due to
In order to
To
For the purpose of
How
Suddenly Skillfully Gently
Effectively Fiercely Poorly
As if it … ; Peaceful as a painting
Like a prowling leopard
Using a compass, Leo was able to..
He wandered, wondering where he
Adapted from handouts of Creating Powerful Writers workshop, West Coast Literacy Conference 2007, Carolyn Hood, Learning Headquarters
I.
Start with basic sentence in chart and make it powerful by using the posters above
II.
Mix sentences up by moving words and clauses around in sentences (can use post-its)
III.
Hunt for the following types of sentences and write them on the cards (can then summarize the sentence on bottom of card)
Begins with article,
adjective, and subject
Begins with WHEN info
Begins with WHERE info
Begins with WHY info
Begins with HOW info
Begins with Compare
Begin with Reference or
Evidence
Begin with Cause/Effect
term(s)
Begins with sequence
Has an abstract subject
Has an appositive
description
Has an clause that starts
with a verb with -ing
Adapted from handouts of Creating Powerful Writers workshop, West Coast Literacy Conference 2007, Carolyn Hood, Learning Headquarters
Notes
Five Common Sentence Structures
Level I--Simple sentences
I went home.
I love my mommy.
Level 2--Expanded statements using prepositions-shows
relationships and links
I like to play with my cat.
I like to color at my school.
Level 3--Two phrases or clauses linked by a conjunction
(i.e., and, because, so, if, while, but, however)-shows connected
ideas
I went to the store and got lots of candy.
His pet ate ten things, but it was still hungry.
Level 4--Two phrases or clauses linked by a relative
pronoun (i.e., who, that, what, which)-shows pronoun referent
She found what she needed.
He was the one who hit me.
Level 5--Two phrases or clauses linked by an adverb
(i.e., when, where, how, however, whenever)-shows time, place,
manner
She showed me where it happened.
He knows how to play that game.
Adapted from handouts of Creating Powerful Writers workshop, West Coast Literacy Conference 2007, Carolyn Hood, Learning Headquarters