The hints in parentheses tell you how to start the subordinate clause. Sentence combining as a technique for increasing adjective. Sep 21, 2015 a simple sentence has just one clause. Sometimes, a single and can do the job of combining the sentences too. Two or more simple sentences can be combined by the use of coordinating conjunctions. Below are several techniques you can use to reword and combine your shorter sentences.
Bush institute in partnership with the meadows center for preventing educational risk at the university of texas at austin. Once you have mastered writing a clear, grammatically correct simple sentence a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought, you can begin to improve your writing by practicing combining sentences. Student take simple sentences, learn how to combine them with tools such as using modifiers, conjunctions, subordinate clauses, and commas. Option 3 conjunctive adverbs there are many choices. Sentence expanding helps students write strong, clear, and detailed sentences. Ask learners to identify sentences in each others work that could be improved. This book is designed to help you prepare for the verbal and reading sections of many assessment and entrance exams.
A complex sentence is used when you want to emphasize one idea over another in a sentence. Combine the sentences below to make them more readable. You must decide which ideas are minor because the sentences are given out of context. The teaching of english as a second language has undergone radical changes in recent years, and nowhere have these changes been more evident than our and livtrsltles. Growth in sentence composing and variety stems from two processes, both taught through grammar for high school. You can think of an appositive as a modifying clause from which the clausal machinery. Then combine the independent clauses to form a compound sentence. Teach students this writing technique through explicit instruction. Punctuation worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered because we won the state championship. Each unit focuses on a sentence level element followed by exercises involving a factual topic or story. Sentence combining california state university, northridge.
Coordination is a method of combining independent clauses by using sentence connectors. A semicolon can be used to combine independent clauses to make a compound sentence. This method of joining sentences is only recommended for. The compoundcomplex sentence evergreen state college. The need to combine sentences and some common methods of. At a more technical level, sentence combining is concerned. Sentencecombining workbook uses sentence combining techniques to help you develop confidence in your writing. Sentence combining techniques irsc academic support center. Four types of discourse m arkers are used in combining english. Students should be reminded that simply listing attributes does not constitute a well expanded sentences and that added information should flow in logical order. After combining, one sentence is transformed into an independent clause while the other becomes a dependent clause followed by a conjunction. Sentence combining a composing book william strong on.
Have them identify two or more sentences that they can improve. Rewrite them using sentence combining techniques so they read better. Part two sentences can also be combined by using modifying words, prepositions and prepositional phrases, infinitives or infinitive phrases, participial phrases, gerunds, appositives, and absolute phrases. Now, add a dependent clause to your compound sentence to create a compoundcomplex sentence. Sentence combining, a writing intervention that teaches students to combine words, phrases, and. Techniques for reducing wordiness try not to use i and we in a formal paper. This method results in a number of simple sentences that lack coherence. However, this technique may only be used if both clauses have a similar grammatical structure or have closely related ideas.
Techniques for reducing wordinessnew macalester college. Techniques of sentence combination using discourse. Sentence combining instructional techniques middle. The instructor tells students that there are often multiple correct ways to combine sentences. The bold words can be used to begin a sentence when used correctly. The complex sentence a complex sentence is made up of a simple sentence a complete statement and a statement that begins with a dependent word. At the bottom of these sentencecombining exercises, youll see a link to a document with the original paragraphs from which we created these exercises. Using subordinate clauses combine the following short sentences by turning the second sentence into a subordinate clause and attaching it to the first.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. After you have combined the sentences, circle whether you created a compound or complex sentence. Sentence combining with pirates rtf sentence combining with pirates pdf. Avoid overusing it is, there is, and there are weak expletives at the beginning of sentences. Join sentences sometimes you can eliminate needless sentences by taking key words from other sentences and putting them into one sentence. Combine by using a compound sentence or complex sentence. Sentence combining as a technique for increasing adjective use in writing by students with autism. Sentence combining tillamook bay community college. The clauses of a compound sentence are either separated by a semicolon relatively rare or connected by a coordinating conjunction which is, more often than not, preceded by a comma.
The instructor completes several sentence combining examples in front of the group, using a thinkaloud approach to show his or her thinking process in successfully combining sentences. Surely by eighth grade i thought, my students must have mastered the ability to create interesting sentences. A guide to the scamper technique for creative thinking. How can we avoid the monotonous or short, choppy sentence patterns. Sentence combining the middle school matters institute msmi is an initiative of the george w. If you continually use short sentences in your writing, your paragraphs will sound very choppy. Remember, there may be many ways to combine each of these sentences. Sentence combining, sentence beginnings lessons, practice. The concept of word tiers was developed in the late 1980s by isabel beck, margaret mckeown, and. Youll get the practice you need to communicate your ideas in clear and interesting sentences. Feb 02, 2016 how can we avoid the monotonous or short, choppy sentence patterns.
We also offer suggestions for using sentence combining hereafter sc as a context for intervention on higher level syntactic complexity. This results in a complex sentence that can improve the formality and sophistication of your writing style. Apr 26, 20 the need to combine sentences and some common methods of sentence synthesis april 26, 20 if all of your sentences were brief and of equal length, you will have a tough time keeping the reader engaged. This exercise will introduce you to sentence combiningthat is, organizing sets of short, choppy sentences into longer, more effective ones. Tiedye clothing peaked in the 1960s, and it had made a comeback recently. Sentence composing for high school by donald killgallon. Pdf this article addresses teaching sentence construction skills to. Combining, expanding, and reducing sentences worksheets. Then use the four sentences youve written as the start and complete a paragraph with your own opinion on the topic, writing on a separate sheet of paper. We can combine these two sentences into one in several ways.
Combine the following sentences by subordinating minor. Sentence combining, simply stated, is the strategy of joining short sentences into longer, more complex sentences. Sentence combining using subordinating conjunctions. Combining sentences joining sentences by coordination independent clause clause. Combining sentences with subordinating conjunctions when you write, your writing is more interesting if you can vary sentence structures. An appositive or appositive phrase is a renaming, a reidentification, of something earlier in the text. This impression can also be caused by too many sentences in a row that begin with a simple. The appositive is probably the most efficient technique we have for combining ideas. Response elaboration training ret is a therapy technique used to increase the number of content words in spontaneous speech for people with aphasia. Sentence combining is also a great assignment for peer editors. Skillful written language composition presents particular challenges to students with languagelearning disability lld. Joining sentences by subordination dependent independent clause clause. Tiered sentence combining tillamook bay community college. The need to combine sentences sentences have to be combined to avoid the monotony that would surely result if all sentences were brief and of equal length.
Combining sentences is a necessary part of fluent communication in the english language. You will have to add, delete, change, and rearrange words. Combine the following sentences by subordinating minor ideas. Pdf improving sentence writing ability through sentence. Combine each set of sentences below into one effective sentence, using the lines provided. Once you have mastered the basics of correct usage in written english, you will want to express yourself in increasingly complex ways.
Las vegas high school 201011 writing workshop combining sentences. Weve posted the originals for comparison not correction. Sentence combining skills the need to combine sentences. Combine each set of short, choppy sentences into one sentence. Designed to produce sentence maturity and variety, the worktexts offer extensive practice in four sentence manipulating techniques. Combining sentences with subordinating conjunctions. Discourse markers are used to combine clauses or to connect sentence elements.
You will need to take phrases from one sentence and add them to the other sentence. Combining sentences for variety and clarity several methods and examples are given, however this page only combines two sentences. Runon sentences worksheet answers revise any runon sentences using a technique that you find effective. Carlos needs help interpreting the directions from the owners manual.
Combining sentences helps us to showcase the relationships between ideas. By learning this skill, students enhance their writing style. The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered. As you engage in sentence combining activities, you will learn how to vary sentence structure in order to change the meaning and style of what you write. By combining sentences with this technique, you can eliminate extra words and repeated ideas. Includes both editable printable and interactive pdf versions. Sentence combining skill is something that will develop over several short practice sessions and should be considered as one component of an overall writing program. Choppy sentences problem too many short simple sentences can make your writing appear unsophisticated and your ideas seem disconnected. Improving sentences via sentence combining instruction bruce saddler when i first began teaching writing in middle school my temptation was to believe that any sentence level writing instruction was a waste of time. Pinball machines combine the following sentences into an effective descriptive paragraph. Sentence combining classroom strategies reading rockets. Compound sentences one way to combine two sentences is to make a compound sentence with the conjunctions and, or, but, yet, or so. Learning the following sentence combining techniques will help you develop efficient and effective sentences.
Sentenfollow these simple rules for combining sentences to make your writing more interesting and grammatically correct. Improving sentence writing ability through sentence combining practice, article pdf available january 2007 with 7,914 reads how we measure reads. We cannot connect these independent clauses with a comma. Combine by inserting words or phrases combine related sentences by taking a key word or phrase from one sentence and inserting it into another sentence. Combine the following sentences with a subordinating conjunction after all, although, while, because, before, however, therefore. X we can connect these sentences with a coordinator and the proper punctuation. My favorite bistro, which is new to the area, serves a scrumptious salad that my friends love. A bar near a college campus would be incomplete without a row of pinball machines. Combining sentences seventh grade english language arts. Here are a few of the many ways to combine sentences. One way to vary sentence structures is to combine thoughts using complex sentences. Part one once you have mastered writing a clear, grammatically correct simple sentence a sentence that contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought, you can begin to improve your writing by practicing combining sentences.
This video is on the different kinds of sentences in english. Its referred to as loose training, meaning that it doesnt use a rigid set of answers, but rather encourages the person with aphasia to generate their own responses. Tiered sentence combining, atlas, 2014 2 purposes and acknowledgements tiered sentence combining is the result of contributions from minnesota student achievement in reading mn star participants over several years. Raymond was loved by everyone, and he returned their affection. Watch on to see three patterns where we can mix it up a bit. Sentence combining and written syntax assessment of written syntax requires a writing task that can be accomplished in a.
Ask learner pairs to identify two or more sentences in each others writing to work on together to combine or clarify. Sentence and paragraph writing takes students from basic sentence writing skills at the beginning to sound and competent. This combining of sentences can be brought about by adding a conjunction to join the sentences with the same noun. Its demonstrably true that sentence composing can work anywherein any school, with any student. In order to combine these three sentences correctly, you still use some of the same steps from the previous sentence types. Combine sentences eighth 8th grade english language arts. Sentence combining as a technique for increasing adjective use in. Combining sentences allows writers to avoid unnecessary repetition, provide emphasis, and improve sentence variety. Combine the sentences to make compound and complex sentences. Combine the sentences wetlands can improve water quality. What is the best technique for combining these sentences.
Bush institute in partnership with the meadows center for preventing educational risk. Sentence combining, part two texas state university. The paper is obviously yours, so you dont need to use phrases such as i think, i believe, or it seems to me. Complex sentences sentence combining four types of sentences. This is because they combine two different types of sentences into one long sentence. Subordination is a method of combining independent clauses with dependent clauses by using sentence connectors. By using sentence combining techniques, these sentences can be written as one. Chapter 10 sentence combining activities complex sentences. Combining sentences encourages a writer to take two or more short, choppy sentences and combine them into one effective sentence.
This highly regarded text helps developmental writing students strengthen their writing skills and understand some of the stylistic choices available to them in written english. However, the goal of sentence combining is not to produce longer sentences but rather to develop more effective sentencesand to help you become a more versatile writer. How to combine two or more simple sentences into a single. Combine the following sentences by subordinating minor ideas or by coordinating ideas of equal importance. It is intended to improve integrated readingwriting skills such as. One technique which has been the subject of much research with. Sentence and paragraph writing takes students from basic sentence writing skills at the beginning to sound and competent paragraph writing at the end. By completing the 501 sample items offered here and by studying their answer explanations, you will develop the skills necessary to tackle each type of sentence completion question. Sentence structures combine each set of simple sentences below to produce the kind of sentence speci. Subordination techniques for writing complex sentences are.
85 729 1152 282 577 63 1240 1500 821 958 137 1499 1027 1110 88 915 88 9 1148 205 1152 148 384 661 882 656 298 1166 1407 492 61 420 1088 550 1203 1042 120 18 673 286 21 909 662 921 1374 1358