What is a sentence?

Think of everything you know about sentences!

What is a sentence?

• To be a correct and complete sentence, a sentence must have:

• A subject (aka do-er).

• A complete verb.

• A capital letter at the beginning.

• Punctuation at the end.

Now that we know what a sentence is, how can we add variety to our

sentences?

Strategy One: Conjunctions

• What is a conjunction?

• What conjunctions do you know?

• Which conjunctions are overused?

CONJUNCTIONS

To make your writing interesting, try using conjunctions . . .

• I love hockey. I hate cold hockey rinks.

• John won the competition. He received a huge trophy.

• I am really tall. My sister is quite short.

• Tom likes running. He knows that he isn’t very fast.

• Sophie finished her homework and went to the cinema.

How can these symbols make sentences more interesting?

‘ : ; - . . . “” .

! , ?

Strategy Two: Punctuation

• Today, we’re going to focus on the two pieces of punctuation that you’ll need to use our conjunctions today.

• Commas – you’ve seen already how you can use these with conjunctions.

• Semicolons – let’s find out how to use these.

Semicolons

• A semicolon can join two simple sentences closely related in meaning. It is like a weak period; it indicates a strong connection between the two sentences.

• Each side of the semicolon must be able to stand alone as an independent sentence (also called an independent clause).

Look again at these sentences.Can you join these with a semicolon?

• I love hockey. I hate cold hockey rinks.

What about this one?

• Tom likes running. He knows that he isn’t very fast.

Work with a partner . . .

1. Write down two sentences that are related to one another.

2. Switch sentences with your partner – use the strategies that you’ve just learned to improve the sentences?

3. Then check together.

How else can we use semicolons?

(drumroll please)

Strategy Three: With Conjunctive Adverbs

• What is a conjunctive adverb?

Conjunctive adverbs include:

accordingly

afterwards

also

anyway

besides

consequently

furthermore

however

indeed

in fact

instead

likewise

nevertheless

nonetheless

otherwise

similarly

still

therefore

thus

Let’s look again. Try using conjunctive

adverbs to change this sentence yet again.

• I love hockey. I hate cold hockey rinks.

Use what you’ve learned today(use the sentences below or sentences from an assignment that you’ve brought):

• I couldn’t find my sweater anywhere. I was sure that I’d left it in the hall.

• I hate the cold weather. I still go outside a lot.

• I wanted to buy that shirt but I didn’t have enough money.

• The cover of that book is offense. It does not respect the different cultures here in Vancouver.

Let’s Review

1. What is a sentence?

2. What are conjunctions?

3. Can you list some conjunctions?

4. What new punctuation did you learn today?

5. What are conjunctive adverbs?

6. Can you list some conjunctive adverbs?

• http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/thinkingcapwhoa.gif (thinking cap)

• http://www.edupics.com/en-coloring-pictures-pages-photo-ice-hockey-p10127.jpg (hockey player)

• http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/homework-highlights.gif (homework highlights)

• http://neverslapthegiftdonkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/semicolon1.gif (semicolon)

• https://sim0001.wikispaces.com/file/view/Stick_man_running_1.gif (stick man running)

• http://a08.ngu.edu/library/images/writing.jpg (hand writing)