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Scintillating Sentence Structures

The document discusses using varied sentence structures when writing. It covers the basics of simple, compound, and complex sentences. Then it provides examples of starting sentences with techniques like similes, subordinate clauses, present participles, adverbs, past participles, adjectives, and one word sentences. Learners are instructed to identify these techniques and apply them to upgrade a piece of flash fiction.

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qin don
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22 views

Scintillating Sentence Structures

The document discusses using varied sentence structures when writing. It covers the basics of simple, compound, and complex sentences. Then it provides examples of starting sentences with techniques like similes, subordinate clauses, present participles, adverbs, past participles, adjectives, and one word sentences. Learners are instructed to identify these techniques and apply them to upgrade a piece of flash fiction.

Uploaded by

qin don
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Scintillating

Sentence Structures
Learning Objective
To write a piece of flash fiction using a variety of sentence structures.

Success Criteria
• To be able to recall the three types of sentence.
• To be able to identify different sentence structure techniques.
• To be able to write examples of different sentence structures.
• To be able to upgrade a piece of writing by applying a variety of
sentence structures.
Link the Objects!

How could these three objects be linked? Write a piece of


flash fiction that features all three items in some way.

Write in the Task One box on your Flash Fiction Worksheet.

Key Term Ask for a Word


Flash fiction: a very, very short Bank if you
story. In this case, no more than need some
150 words long! inspiration!
Spot the problem
Here’s my piece of flash fiction. What do you think?

It was a stormy night. The church was completely empty. The


wind was blowing under the old oak doors and whistling down
the aisle. The windows creaked in the storm. It was freezing
cold.

A man burst in through the doors suddenly. He was dressed like


a tramp, with old and ragged clothes. The man staggered
towards the altar. He knelt down in front of the cross and began
to pray.

He did not hear the doors creak open and another man enter the
church behind him. He was also dressed poorly and he had bare
feet. He tiptoed up behind the man and suddenly plunged a
dagger into his back. The victim fell forward silently.

“That is for stealing my shoes,” the murderer said.


Key Skills: Reminder
During your English Language exams you will be asked to write both
fiction and non-fiction texts.
One of the areas you will be marked on is your ability to use varied and
interesting sentence structures.
The Basics
• First of all, let’s remind ourselves of the three types of sentence:

The teacher pointed at the door. Simple Sentence.

The teacher pointed at the door and


Compound Sentence.
the headmaster burst into the room.

The teacher pointed at the door,


Complex Sentence.
even though it was closed.

Key Terms
Simple Sentence Write your own
definitions in
Compound Sentence
your book!
Complex Sentence
Scintillating Sentences!
• You are going to be shown a selection of sentences.
• Can you identify the technique being used on the
worksheet you have been given?
• Warning: some sentences may fit into more than one
category, so read your worksheet carefully!
Starting with a simile
• A simile is a comparison using “like or “as”. Starting a sentence with a
simile can be very descriptive.

As quick as a flash, the dog


bounded into the room.

Like a lion pursuing his prey, the


man stalked through the crowd.
Starting with a subordinate clause
Changing the placement of a subordinate clause in a complex sentence
can change its emphasis.

Because she was tired, the


girl yawned loudly.

Note the comma! If you


begin a sentence with a
subordinate clause, it must
be followed by a comma.
Starting with a present participle

A present participle is the form of a verb which shows something is


happening now.

Crying out in frustration, she


hammered on the locked door.
Starting with an adverb
An adverb describes a verb. This technique only works with –ly adverbs.

Cautiously, she pushed open


the enormous door.

You must separate the


adverb from the rest of the
sentence with a comma.
Starting with a past participle
A past participle is the form of a verb which shows
something happened in the past.

Exhausted, he collapsed
onto the bed.

You must separate the past


participle from the rest of
the sentence with a comma.
Starting with an adjective

An adjective describes a noun.

Red roses were strewn across


the floor like pools of blood.
The one word sentence
Although sentences are usually required to contain a subject and a verb,
sometimes you can break this rule for effect. Take care, though - the one-
word sentence must be used sparingly, or it loses its impact!

He gazed at the scene.


Carnage.
Your turn!
Now you’ve spotted all the different techniques for
starting sentences, see if you can write your own
examples on the worksheet.
Upgrade Your Work
Return to the flash fiction you wrote for your starter. Think you can do
better? Of course you can!
Using your Scintillating Sentences! Worksheet to help you, rewrite Task
One using as many of the techniques we have learnt this lesson as you can.
Write in the Task Two box on your worksheet.

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