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Year 7

Using simple, compound and complex sentences in descriptive writing

I can vary sentence structures accurately in my descriptive writing.

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New
New
Year 7

Using simple, compound and complex sentences in descriptive writing

I can vary sentence structures accurately in my descriptive writing.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A simple sentence has one main clause.
  2. Compound sentences are two main clauses joined together with a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.
  3. Complex sentences are one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
  4. The subordinate clause can go at the beginning, middle and end of a sentence.

Common misconception

That the choice of sentence type isn't important as long as the grammar and punctuation is correct.

The choice of sentence type can impact the way that a reader responds to your writing.

Keywords

  • Clause - a group of words with a subject and a verb.

  • Subject - the person, place, or thing performing the action of the sentence.

  • Verb - a doing, being or having word.

  • Complete - having all the necessary or appropriate parts.

  • Subordinate - means to be lower in rank or position.

You could ask the students to peer-assess their work as well as reflecting on their own work to see whether they can spot the different sentence types in someone else's work.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What makes a complete sentence?
Correct answer: a subject, a verb and the expression of a complete idea
a subject, a subordinate clause and the expression of a complete idea
a subject, a verb and the expression of an incomplete idea
Q2.
If something is complete then it .
Correct answer: has all the necessary parts
is fragmented and broken off
expresses a complete idea
Q3.
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
'The twisted branches.'
'Reaching for me, the twisted branches.'
Correct answer: 'The twisted branches reached for me.'
Q4.
A subordinate clause is .
a complete sentence that makes sense on its own
Correct answer: extra information that doesn't make sense on its own
extra information that does make sense on its own
Q5.
A simple sentence is .
Correct answer: one main clause that expresses a complete idea
two main clauses joined together
one main clause and one subordinate clause
Q6.
Which of the following sentences with a subordinate clause is punctuated correctly?
Since it was raining; John sought cover under a tree.
Since it was raining John sought cover under a tree.
Correct answer: Since it was raining, John sought cover under a tree.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A compound sentence is .
One main clause that expresses a complete idea
Correct answer: Two main clauses joined together
One main clause and one subordinate clause
Q2.
Which piece of punctuation do you put before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?
Correct answer: a comma
a question mark
a semicolon
a colon
Q3.
In a complex sentence, a subordinate clause can go .
only at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle of the sentence
only in the middle or at the end of the sentence
Correct answer: at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the sentence
Q4.
You might use simple sentences in your writing to add .
flow
Correct answer: tension
variety
Q5.
What sentence type is the following sentence: 'Because of the glorious sunshine, the drooping flowers began to bloom again.'
compound sentence
simple sentence
Correct answer: complex sentence
Q6.
Using complex sentences can help paint a more complete picture for the reader since the extra information adds more .
Correct answer: detail
tension
adjectives