Sentence Structure Explanation and Practice: Simple Sentences

Simple Sentences!

Simple Sentences!

Simple Sentences!

Examples of Simple Sentences

John ran.
The dog ate.
Stop!
People laugh.
The young lady wore one purple shoe and one pink shoe with her delicately ruffled prom dress.
No one in the house could find the dust-covered computer.

Simple Sentence Characteristics - The Rules

1. Simple sentences can be short or long.
2. Each simple sentence will include a simple subject and a simple predicate.
3. Simple sentences are also called independent clauses.
4. A simple sentence is a complete sentence.  It expresses a complete thought.

Steps for Identifying Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates

1. Identify the verb (action word in the sentence)
2. Ask who or what did the action

For example:

John ran to the store.

What is the action in this sentence? Running!
Who or what ran? John!

Simple Subject = John
Simple Predicate = Ran

It has a subject and predicate; thus, it is a simple sentence, a complete sentence or a complete thought.

Here is a more difficult example:

The old man and young woman at the grocery store found and ate a dirty piece of gum on the floor.

What is the action in this sentence? Found, Ate
Who or what is doing the action? Man, Woman

Simple Subject: Man, Woman
Simple Predicate: Found, Ate

You might have compound subjects and/or compound verbs in simple sentences, like the above example. 

Assignment:

1. Write ten simple sentences in a Word document. Highlight (yellow) the simple predicate (verb/action word) and highlight (light blue) the simple subject (person, place, or thing doing the action). Email the document to me as an attachment.

2.  In the comments section of this post, explain what a compound subject and/or verb is. An educated guess is encouraged, welcomed, and appreciated!

Literary Elements: "The Flowers" by Alice Walker

Directions

Students read "The Flowers" during the first week of school. Review the story, if necessary, so that you can answer the questions below.

In a Word document, please answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Identify two examples of exposition
2. Identify two examples of rising action
3. Identify the story's climax
4. Identify one example of falling action
5. Identify the story's resolution

At the beginning of the story, Myop, the story's ten-year-old protagonist, engages in playful activity around a farm. Myop seems content (happy/satisfied) with her environment. The story's tone (mood) is positive, uplifting, and free from external constraints (pressures, problems, etc.). However, the story's tone changes at one point.

6. Identify where the tone changes, use the text to support your answer, and explain why the tone changes.

7. Identify one example of onomatopoeia in the story, use the text to support your answer, and include your own example of onomatopoeia.

8. Flowers are associated with many occasions - some happy, some sad. For example, most families order flowers for weddings and funerals. What do the flowers symbolize in this short story? Explain your answer.

9. What is a noose? What does the noose tell the reader about the setting (time and place/location)? A strong inference can be made when the reader considers what a noose is, how a noose was used, and what a noose was used to do. Explain your answer.

10. Identify two compound sentences in the story. You may copy and paste your answer; however, you need to explain why your two chosen sentences are compound sentences.

Finally, respond to the story with one paragraph in this post's comments section: Did you relate to the story? How would you feel if you experienced the same thing as Myop? When do children "grow up"? Did you enjoy reading this short story?

An Introduction to Etymology

Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words. Students should be familiar with the origin and history of words, especially those words which we use on a regular basis. An etymological word study will discuss the origin of a word while also discussing how that word's meaning has changed over time.

Greek and Latin root words, in addition to prefixes and suffixes, once learned, will help students master new vocabulary words. This is YOUR first step toward expanding your vocabulary, which will inevitably improve your writing ability. If you scored a 1, 2, or 3 on your TAKS Written Composition (Essay on ELA or Exit Level), it is in your best interest to start a Vocabulary Document.

As you read essays, novels, short stories, literary nonfiction, and/or informational texts, please consider the work's publication date. For instance, if you are reading a Shakespearean sonnet, the intended defition of a given word may differ greatly in meaning to how the word is used today.

Here are a few resources to help students:

Online Etymology Dictionary
Wordia: Word Clips, Definitions, and Videos
Merriam-Webster Online
Educational Dictionary - Thesaurus
Dictionary.com

Please click on the posted links, explore each website, and identify definitions for the following words:

1. -ade (suffix) - record ALL meanings and provide one example for each definition
2. pre- (prefix) - record all meanings and provide two examples for each definition
3. Kafkaesque - record two meanings and provide one example for each definition
4. peace - record two meanings and provide one example for each definition
5. rabid - record two meanings and provide one example for both definitions
6. alas - record one definition and use it in a sentence
7. 'tis - record one definition and use it in a sentence
8. -tomy (suffix) - record two definitions and provide three word examples
9. advent - record two definitions/meanings and use each meaning in a separate sentence
10. jealous - record two definitions and word origin

Next:

1. Choose ten random words from the Online Etymology Dictionary
2. Write the entire definition for each word chosen (you may not copy/paste)
3. Create illustrated note cards for each word, associating images with meaning

Important Note:

Please put your answers in a Word document, email the document to me, and leave a two-sentence comment after this post, discussing what you learned about reference tools (dictionaries, etc.) and etymology. How can word study help your writing and reading comprehension?