Books begin with sentences, then paragraphs, then manuscripts. However, if one doesn't understand sentences, can't write them correctly, then he won't manage to create a story, an article, or a book, whether fiction or nonfiction.
Starting with this article, I am going to post a series of columns concerning the writing of sentences. This first one is short and simple: What is a sentence? I will then continue to types of sentences and sentence fragments and other components.
Let's begin with what is a sentence:
A sentence
is a group of words (clauses) which have a complete thought.
Clauses: a
dependent clause (subordinate clause) is a group of words that has a subject
and verb but not a complete
thought. (a sentence fragment is a dependent clause); an
independent clause (main clause) is a group of words that has a subject and
verb and forms a complete
thought.
Simple sentence: one
independent clause
Russel
enjoys baseball.
Compound sentence: two
or more independent clauses joined correctly with punctuation (a semicolon or colon, not just a comma) or a comma and a conjunction
March is a
windy month in Oklahoma,
but it often has bouts of winter weather.
March is a
windy month in Oklahoma;
it often has bouts of winter weather.
March is a
windy month in Oklahoma: It often has bouts of winter weather.
Complex sentence: one independent clause and one or more dependent clause
When the
wind blows, the temperatures seem colder.
Compound-complex sentence: two
or more independent clauses joined correctly and one or more dependent
clauses
When the
wind blows, the temperatures seem colder, and I don’t want to leave the house.
We can use a variety of sentence types in writing to make
the writing more interesting.
Some sub-topics dealing with sentence structure
include using commas correctly, sentence fragments, and run-on sentences, which we will discuss in future articles.
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Vivian, I love this stuff. Thanks for sharing! I'll be sharing the link.
ReplyDeleteVivian,
ReplyDeleteI have "Artful Sentences" by Virginia Tufte at home, and I plan to start reading it this evening. I don't remember learning much about sentence structure (other than what you have gone over above) in school. Even glancing through the book, it's clear there is a lot more for me to learn.
I taught sentence structure for nearly 30 years, after having strong grammar teachers all my life, starting with my mother.
ReplyDeleteSentences are the foundation of all writing, so therefore knowing how to write correct sentences is a must for all writers.
I agree -- but knowing how to write correct sentences is not enough. How to write varied, interesting (and appropriate) sentences is also very important.
ReplyDeletePeggy, that is part of knowing types of sentences, as given above. You can't build a wall before having the bricks and mortar ready first.
ReplyDelete