New
New
Year 7
Using simple, compound and complex sentences in descriptive writing
I can vary sentence structures accurately in my descriptive writing.
New
New
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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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A simple sentence has one main clause.
- Compound sentences are two main clauses joined together with a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.
- Complex sentences are one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
- The subordinate clause can go at the beginning, middle and end of a sentence.
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.
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.
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).Starter quiz
Download starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
What makes a complete sentence?
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 .
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.'
Q4.
A subordinate clause is .
a complete sentence that makes sense on its own
extra information that does make sense on its own
Q5.
A simple sentence is .
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.
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
A compound sentence is .
One main clause that expresses a complete idea
One main clause and one subordinate clause
Q2.
Which piece of punctuation do you put before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?
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
Q4.
You might use simple sentences in your writing to add .
flow
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
Q6.
Using complex sentences can help paint a more complete picture for the reader since the extra information adds more .
tension
adjectives