Discovering sentence styles &

structures for successful writing

For essays and assignments

For business

what is a sentence?

simple sentences

compound sentences

complex sentences

A sentence is…

A sentence is a complete thought.

One sentence is one thought or idea.

A sentence is one ‘unit’ of thought that should be complete in sense and structure.

A sentence should be written with the correct punctuation marks and word order.

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A sentence should start with a capital letter…

Tony loves Lucy!

I am very busy at work.

He is hoping to go travelling.

Where are we going?

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…and end with:

• a full stop .• a question mark ?• an exclamation mark !

Different types of sentence:

•a statement is a sentence that ends in a full stop

•an exclamation is a sentence that ends with an exclamation

mark (to show feeling)

•a question is a sentence that begins with a questioning word

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Complete the sentence.

Type the correct end of sentence punctuation into the box (. ! ?)

to make the following sentences make sense.

1. Are you coming shopping

2. Where is James going

3. Let’s get food – I’m starving

4. Sarah has gone to the bank

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Writing questions

Type the best questioning word into the box to complete these questions

if why when where who how is are

1. are we going to meet tonight?

2. much will it cost?

3. else is coming to the park?

4. you glad you came to college today?

5. old are you?

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Click here to learn about the subject and verb

For a sentence to be complete it should have a subject and a verb.

The subject is who

or what the sentence is

about, for example:

Tom loves to eat pasta.Tom is the subject.

Activity:

type the subject of each

sentence into each box and

then get your work checked by your

tutor.

1. Hazel loves to eat pizza.

1. Park Lane college is ace!

2. I enjoy learning.

1. My car is very old.

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Click here to learn about the subject and verb

For a sentence to be complete it should have a subject and a verb.

A verb is a ‘doing’

or ‘being’ word, for

example:

Tom is happy.Tom rides hisbicycle.I am happy.

is, rides and am

are the verbs.

1. Sheila cooks tea.

2. Jamil likes beer.

3. Angela loves Roy.

Activity:type the verb from each sentence into each box andthen ask your tutor to check your work.

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Revision on complete sentences - checklist

• Does my sentence start with a capital letter?

• Does my sentence end with a full stop, exclamation mark or a question mark?

• Does my sentence include a main subject (the person or thing being written about)

• Does my sentence have a verb (a doing word e.g. cook, eat, write, study, speak, go, run,) or a ‘being’ word e.g. am, is, was, are)

To check if you have written a complete sentenceask yourself the following questions:

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Simple sentencesHere are some examples of simple sentences:

My name is Anna. I am nineteen years old. I come from

Ghana. I like to dance.

Write a simple sentence to answer each question:

1) What is your favourite hobby (what do you do for fun?)

2) Who is your favourite film actor / actress?

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Conjunctions for writing compound

sentences

Example:

Michael likes his work. (simple sentence)Michael works hard. (simple sentence)Michael likes his job and works hard. (compound sentence)

A compound sentence is made up of two simple sentences joined together. They are joined using the co-ordinate conjunctions:

and, but, so, for, nor, yet, so

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Activity on compound sentences

Make the following into compound sentences using either

and, for, nor, but, so, yet – look at how the meaning of

the sentences change!

Bill was sad. Dave was happy.

Bill was sad Dave was happy.

Edna was in love. Tim was not in love.

Edna was in love Tim was not in love.

Asia likes Chinese food. Karen likes Indian food.

Asia likes Chinese food Karen likes Indian food.

Asia likes going to the movies. Karen likes going to

the movies too.

Asia likes going to the movies Karen likes going to the movies

too.

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Complex sentencesA complex sentence is usually made up of an independent clause (thatwould make sense on its own) joined by one or more dependentclauses (could not be a sentence on their own).

The meaning of these sentences is shown by the relationship betweenthe dependent clause and the independent clause (often shown by theuse of a subordinating conjunction).

Example:

Since I came back from my holiday, I have had a horrible cold.

He left the office early (independent), bought a paper (dependent)and had a leisurely lunch (dependent clause).

home page Writing complex sentences

Conjunctions for complex sentences

Writing complex sentencesusing subordinate conjunctions

1. What is your main reason for coming tocollege?

I come to college because

2. What is your favourite food?

My favourite food is because / as

.

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More on conjunctionssubordinate conjunctions

These conjunctions explain why: because as since

Question: Why are you so happy today?

Answer: I am happy because the sun isshining!

Answer: As it’s my birthday today, I’mbuying a new car!

Answer: Since it’s my birthday, I’m going to the salon.

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More on conjunctions

More on conjunctionssubordinate conjunctions

These conjunctions are to do with time ( when):

after, when and since.

Question: Are you doing anything nice this evening?

Answer: When I have done all of my work, I will go to the

cinema.

After I have finished my work, I will go running.

home page Writing complex sentences

Study common phrases

Writing for businessPoints to consider:

• you need to have a clear idea of what you want to say (make a plan)

• you need to be concise (brief)

• you need to proof-read and revise your writing

• avoid ‘flowery’ language (overly descriptive)

• there are ‘stock phrases’ that you can use (see common phrases)

• think about your format: are you writing a report, a memo, an email or a letter?

• think carefully about who you are writing to

• use formal language – i.e. do not use contractions (shortened words e.g. it’s, I’ve, you’ve, we’ve, don’t etc.)

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Common phrases for business writing

Reason for writing Enclosing (including) documents

I am writing to enquire about…

Please find enclosed…

I am writing to request… I am enclosing…

I am writing to confirm… Enclosed you will find…

I am writing with reference to…

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More common phrases

Common phrases for business writing

Making requests… Ways to finish…

I would be grateful if… I look forward to hearing from you.

I would appreciate… I look forward to your reply / response.

Could you possibly…? Please do not hesitate to contact me /us with any questions / enquiries.

Thank you for your time.

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More on formal writing

How to address people

People you know… People you don’t know…

Dear Mr. Smith Dear Ms. Smith (if you don’t know of their marital status)

Dear Mrs. Smith Dear Sir / Madam,

Dear Miss Smith To whom it may concern,

Dear Ms. Smith

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More on formal writing

How to finish a formal letter

People you know… People you don’t know…

Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully,

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Business writing summary

Business writing

Activity:

fill in the boxes with the missing parts of the letter.

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Writing assignments / essays

Points to consider:• essay writing is about arguing a point. • usually, there is a key question to be answered and you

must refer back to this throughout your writing.• in an essay you may have to put forward other people’s

views, and then argue a case for your own.• it is useful to think about topic sentences and link sentences

for essay writing to help to structure your argument in a clear way.

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Topic sentences Concluding sentences

Link sentences Useful phrases

The topic sentence

The topic sentence isusually the firstsentence in anyparagraph and itIntroduces the mainpoint of thatparagraph.

The concludingsentence ‘sums up’that main point.

Example:

Billy is a brilliant driving instructor and has a lot of experience. Billy hastaught hundreds of students to drive over the pastseven years. They liked him for his patience, hisskill and his great sense of humour. These qualitieshave enabled him to have a successful career.

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More on concluding sentences

Concluding sentences

Write a concluding sentence for the

following paragraph:

I like all sorts of fruit. I eat strawberries,apples, oranges, pears, blueberries andapricots. I prefer strawberries to pears

because they are sweeter. I eat fruit for breakfast

and with my lunch.

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Link sentences

Each paragraph needs to be linked to the

one before. This will make your writing ‘flow’ and your

arguments will be easier to follow.

Link sentences can act as a bridge between your

paragraphs, linking one idea to the next.

Examples of link sentence following on from the last

paragraph on ‘fruit’ might be:

I like fruit very much, but there are also many other foods

that I enjoy including…

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Click here for some useful phrases for structuring an argument

Useful phrases

I would argue that…

In my opinion…

It is my view that…

There is evidence to suggest that…

Furthermore…

Interestingly…

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