Sentence Fluency

Sentence Fluency

How to "read" these slides

How do I know what to write in my notes?

1. If the information is in bold, that means you HAVE to write it down.

2. If the information is bold, underlined, and italicized, it means you HAVE to write it and it is IMPORTANT!

If the information meets neither of the above conditions, you have the option to write it down or not.

What is Sentence Fluency?

Sentence fluency is all about the flow of your writing. Are the sentences varied? Do they sound nice to read? These are all a part of sentence fluency.

The next step from simple sentences are compound and complex sentences.

Mid-grade

The most basic type of sentence is a simple sentence. Simple sentences have one independent clause containing a subject (noun) and one verb (action or state of being).

Intro Level

Types of sentences

contain at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Complex Sentences

join two or more independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions like "and," "but," or "or."

Compound Sentences

Mid-grade Sentences

Multiple Choice

What is considered an "intro" level sentence?

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Clauses

Hold on! What is a clause?

A clause is a group of words working together that contains both a subject and a verb.
Clauses can be independent or dependent.
Independent clauses can stand on their own as a complete sentence, while dependent clauses must be attached to another clause in order for it to be a complete sentence; it cannot stand on its own.

Multiple Choice

Which clause is considered independent?

• The dog.

• Ran to the park.

• Escaped the dungeon.

• I ran.

Multiple Choice

Which clause is considered dependent?

• The dog.

• I ran.

• He escaped the dungeon.

• She didn't.

The dog is small. He likes to chase big dogs. (Both sentences are independent clauses.)

The dog is small, and he likes to chase big dogs.

The dog is small; he likes to chase big dogs.

Examples

• A compound sentence joins two independent clauses using coordinating conjunctions such as "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet," and "so"

• You can also join the two independent clauses using a semicolon ( ; )

Joining Independent Clauses

Compound Sentences

Even though I am tired, I will complete my work. (If the dependent clause comes first, it is followed by a comma.)

I will complete my work even though I am tired.

Examples

• A complex sentence joins at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

• You connect the clauses with a subordinating conjunction, such as "because", "since", or "until."

Joining Independent and Dependent Clauses

Complex Sentences

Begin with two independent clauses:
The team captain jumped for joy. The fans cheered.
Then combine the independent clauses to form a compound sentence:
The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered.
Now, add a dependent clause to your compound sentence to create a compound-complex sentence.
The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered because we won the state championship. OR When we won the state championship, the team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered.

Examples

• A compound-complex sentence is comprised of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Compound Complex Sentences

Boss Level Sentence
(This is a challenge and should not be considered the norm for your writing.)

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence is this:

The dog ran because it was afraid.

• Simple

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

• Compound

Multiple Choice

Is the sentence a compound-complex sentence:

Because the test wasn't cancelled, the students were sad, and they shouted their complaints.

• Yes, it is.

• No, it isn't.