This short course aims to equip learners with the essential knowledge of sentence types, which will allow them to effectively generate ideas for their essays. The course is divided into two main sessions.
- Define and explain the four basic sentence types (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex).
- Provide examples of each sentence type to enable learners to differentiate between the different varieties of sentence structures and characteristics.
- Test the learners’ knowledge of sentence structure with a perfectly designed quiz.
- Explain the basic structure of an essay: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Tackle each essay section and explain its role in conveying ideas effectively by using the different sentence structures discussed in session one.
- Provide an essay sample to enable learners to envision the main features discussed.
- Shed light on the effect of using transitions to organize and convey ideas clearly and effectively.
Learners will be able to identify and use different types of sentences, such as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex, to effectively generate ideas in written English. Along with applying these different sentence structures to enhance the clarity and variety of their writing.
- A basic knowledge of sentence structure such as subject, verb, object/component, and clauses; dependent and independent.
- Familiarity with coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
- Understanding subject-verb agreement.
- Understand and differentiate between the different types of sentences.
- Write simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences effectively.
- Classify different types of sentences into the appropriate categories.
- Understand the different conjunctions that link independent and dependent clauses in compound and complex sentences.
Do you think the clarity of your writing can be affected by the choice of sentence structure? How?
Additional Recourses:
URL for more details on the sentence types:
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/sentencestructure#s-lg-box-9131421
URL for compound sentences, coordinating conjunctions, and self-assessment.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/academic-language/media/BEAP/3.3/index.html
Academic Guides: Grammar: Sentence structure and Types of Sentences. (n.d.). https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/sentencestructure#s-lg-box-9131422
Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex Sentences: English Sentence Forms. (2014). United States: Manik Joshi.
Language Development: Understanding Language Diversity in the Classroom. (2010). United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.
Vitto, C. L. (2022). Grammar by Diagram: Understanding English Grammar Through Traditional Sentence Diagraming. Canada: Broadview Press.
Learners will be able to construct a well-designed essay and write clear and effective ideas by utilizing different sentence structures, e.g., simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex, and transitions in each essay section.
- Knowledge of the three main stages of essay writing, e.g., preparation, writing, and revision.
- Outlining an essay.
- Write a complete, clear, and coherent essay by utilizing different sentence structures.
- Recognize the importance of varying sentence structure to convey ideas clearly.
- Utilize transitions, e.g., in contrast, moreover, similarly, etc., to help organize the ideas, improve the flow, and enhance the overall structure.
How can using different types of sentence structure impact the overall flow of your writing?
Braverman, S., & Braverman, S. (2022, March 11). IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Artificial Intelligence will take over the role of teachers (agree/disagree) | IELTS-Blog. IELTS-Blog | Your Best IELTS Study Partner. https://www.ielts-blog.com/ielts-writing-samples/ielts-essays-band-9/ielts-essay-topic-artificial-intelligence-will-take-over-role-of-teachers-agree-disagree/
Liz. (n.d.). IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Band 9. https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-sample-essay/
Scott, F. N., Denny, J. V., Denney, J. V. (1909). Paragraph-writing: A Rhetoric for Colleges. United States: Allyn and Bacon.
Seely, J. (2013). Oxford Guide to Effective Writing and Speaking: How to Communicate Clearly. United Kingdom: OUP Oxford.
Taylor, G. (2009). A Student's Writing Guide: How to Plan and Write Successful Essays. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
TOEFL iBT Writing Structure, Analyze and Academic Essays Collection. (2015). (n.p.): Steven Michael.