WEEK 1
Sentence Types
What is a Sentence?
A sentence is a grammatical unit of one or more words that expresses a complete thought or idea. It typically consists of a subject and a predicate (verb phrase) and conveys a statement, question, command, or exclamation. Sentences can be simple or compound, declarative or imperative, and so on.
Examples of different types of sentences:
- Declarative sentence: “The sky is blue.”
- Interrogative sentence: “Is the sky blue?”
- Imperative sentence: “Look at the blue sky!”
- Exclamatory sentence: “What a beautiful blue sky!”
Sentences can also be classified based on their structure:
- Simple sentence: “The dog barked.”
- Compound sentence: “I walked to the store, but I forgot my wallet.”
- Complex sentence: “I walked to the store because I needed milk.”
- Compound-complex sentence: “I walked to the store but I forgot my wallet, because I was in a hurry.”
In essence, a sentence is a group of words that convey a meaningful statement or question and conform to the syntactic structure of a language.
Independent versus dependent Clauses
A sentence can contain one or more clauses. A clause is a grammatical unit that contains a subject and a verb, and expresses a complete thought or idea.
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. Examples: “The dog barked,” “I walked to the store,” “She is happy.”
A dependent clause, on the other hand, is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence, and is dependent on an independent clause to form a complete thought. Examples: “because I needed milk,” “although she is tired,” “after the cat ran away.”
A dependent clause usually starts with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun such as “because,” “since,” “although,” “who,” “that,” etc.
Examples:
- Simple sentence: “The dog barked.” (contains one independent clause)
- Compound sentence: “The dog barked and the cat ran away.” (contains two independent clauses)
- Complex sentence: “The dog barked after the cat ran away.” (contains one independent clause and one dependent clause)
- Compound-complex sentence: “The dog barked and the cat ran away after the fireworks started.” (contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause)
In summary, an independent clause is a sentence that can stand alone, while a dependent clause needs an independent clause to make sense.
Sentence Types According to Structure
There are four main types of sentences based on their structure: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.
- Simple sentences have one independent clause and no dependent clauses. They contain a subject and a verb, and express a complete thought. Examples: “The dog barked,” “I walked to the store,” “She is happy.”
- Compound sentences have two or more independent clauses and no dependent clauses. They are joined by a conjunction, such as “and,” “or,” or “but.” Examples: “I walked to the store, but I forgot my wallet,” “The dog barked and the cat ran away,” “She is happy and she is singing.”
- Complex sentences have one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and is connected to the independent clause by a conjunction such as “because,” “since,” “although,” etc. Examples: “I walked to the store because I needed milk,” “She is happy, although she is tired,” “The dog barked after the cat ran away.”
- Compound-complex sentences have two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. They are a combination of compound and complex sentences, with a dependent clause added to a compound sentence. Examples: “I walked to the store but I forgot my wallet, because I was in a hurry,” “She is happy and she is singing, although she is tired,” “The dog barked and the cat ran away, after the fireworks started.”
WEEK ?
Writing Narratives
Narratives are stories that tell about a series of events. When writing a narrative, it’s important to keep in mind their reading level and interests. Here are some tips to help you create a narrative that will engage and captivate your audience:
- Start with a strong opening: The first sentence of your narrative should be interesting and attention-grabbing. This will help to hook your reader and make them want to read more.
- Create well-defined characters: Your characters should be well-developed and have distinct personalities. This will help your reader to connect with them and become invested in their story.
- Include descriptive language: Use descriptive language to create vivid images in your reader’s mind. This will help to make your story come alive and make it more engaging.
- Use dialogue: Dialogue is a great way to add depth to your characters and advance the plot. Make sure to use quotation marks when writing dialogue.
- Use a clear plot: A clear plot is essential for keeping your reader engaged. Make sure that your story has a beginning, middle, and end, and that the events are linked together in a logical way.
- Keep it age-appropriate: Make sure your narrative is appropriate in terms of language, themes and content.
- Revise and proofread: Make sure to revise and proofread your narrative before submitting it. This will help to catch any mistakes and make sure that your story is clear and easy to understand.
By following these tips, you can write a narrative that will be engaging and enjoyable.
An Example of Narrative Writing
The wind howled through the deserted streets as the rain pelted against the pavement. I huddled under my umbrella, my coat pulled tightly around me as I made my way towards the old, abandoned factory on the outskirts of town. My heart was pounding with anticipation and fear, for I knew what I was about to do was dangerous, but I couldn’t resist the pull of the mystery that surrounded the place.
As I approached the factory, I could see that it was even more decrepit than I had imagined. The brick walls were crumbling, the windows were boarded up, and the door hung off its hinges. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should turn back, but my curiosity got the better of me and I pushed open the door.
The inside of the factory was dark and musty, the only light coming from a few small windows high up on the walls. I could hear the sound of dripping water and the creaking of the old machinery. I made my way deeper into the building, my feet crunching on the debris that littered the floor.
As I turned a corner, I heard a voice. It was a low, menacing growl that sent shivers down my spine. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Who’s there?” I called out, my voice trembling.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” the voice replied, and I could hear the sound of someone or something moving closer.
I turned to run, but a hand reached out and grabbed me, pulling me back. I struggled, trying to break free, but the hand was too strong. I was dragged deeper into the factory, my mind racing with fear.
As we reached a door, the hand pulled me inside and I found myself in a large room filled with strange machinery. In the center of the room stood a figure, shrouded in shadows. It was the factory owner, Mr. Smith, who had been living in the factory for years, ever since it closed down.
“You’re trespassing,” Mr. Smith said, his voice cold and menacing.
I tried to run, but my feet wouldn’t move. I was frozen, trapped by fear.
“I didn’t know this place was still in use,” I stammered.
Mr. Smith stepped forward, and I could see that it was a man, his face twisted with anger.
“This place is my home,” he said. “I’ve been living here for years, ever since the factory closed down.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Smith’s expression softened, and he said, “It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I just don’t like people coming here. It’s not safe.”
I nodded, relieved that he wasn’t going to harm me. But as I turned to leave, I saw something that made my blood run cold. On one of the machines, I saw a strange liquid flowing into a container. I realized with horror that Mr. Smith was using the old machinery to create a new kind of drug with the help of his accomplices, Tim and Jack.
I turned to run, but Mr. Smith was too fast. He caught me and pushed me back into the room.
“You can’t leave,” he said. “I need you to help me with my work. You’re the only one who can understand what I’m trying to do.”
I stared at him in shock, realizing that I had been drawn into a twisted plot, one that I could never escape. But as Mr. Smith’s eyes met mine, I knew
that I had to find a way out. I couldn’t let him use me for his twisted experiments.
I knew I had to act fast, so I hatched a plan. I pretended to go along with Mr. Smith’s demands, helping him with his work, all the while gathering evidence of his illegal activities. I also reached out to my friend, a police officer, for help.
As the days passed, my mind and body slowly deteriorated under the intense pressure. I was trapped in a nightmare, one that I could never escape. But I knew that I had to hold on, for I was getting closer to finding a way out.
One night, I finally got the chance to put my plan into action. I waited until Mr. Smith, Tim, and Jack were asleep, then I snuck out of the factory. I ran through the deserted streets, my heart pounding with fear and adrenaline.
But Mr. Smith and his accomplices were not ones to be outsmarted so easily. They caught up with me, and I found myself in a desperate fight for my life. I fought with all my might, but I knew it was a losing battle. Just as I thought it was all over, the police arrived on the scene. They had been tipped off by my friend and had all the evidence I had gathered.
With Mr. Smith and his accomplices in custody, I was finally free from my nightmare. I was finally able to start living my life again. But the memories of those months in the abandoned factory would haunt me for the rest of my days. I knew that I would never be the same again.
The end of the story is not always happy, but it’s not always bad either. Sometimes it’s just a twisted plot that leaves a person questioning everything they knew about themselves and the world around them. And in this story, it was not just one person but five individuals who got caught in the twisted plot that changed their lives forever.
Apostrophe
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Take Before-lesson quiz
Fun Question
Why is it called an apostrophe?
Preamble
An apostrophe is a punctuation mark that is used to indicate possession or the omission of letters or numbers in written English. It is represented by the symbol ‘ and is used in a variety of ways to help convey meaning in written language. One of the most common uses of apostrophes is to indicate possession, such as in the phrase “the dog’s ball,” where the apostrophe indicates that the ball belongs to the dog. The apostrophe is also used to indicate the omission of letters or numbers in contractions such as “don’t” (do not) or “can’t” (cannot). Additionally, apostrophes can be used to form plurals of lowercase letters, such as “mind your p’s and q’s” or “dot your i’s and cross your t’s”. However, it’s important to use apostrophes correctly, as their misuse can lead to confusion or inaccuracies in written language.
Full Lesson
What is an apostrophe?
An apostrophe is a punctuation mark that is used in a variety of ways in written English. It is typically represented by the symbol ‘ and is used to indicate possession or the omission of letters or numbers.
Uses of an apostrophe
- Possession: An apostrophe is used to indicate possession, for example, in the phrase “the dog’s ball,” the apostrophe indicates that the ball belongs to the dog.
- Omission: An apostrophe is also used to indicate the omission of letters or numbers, as in contractions such as “don’t” (do not) or “can’t” (cannot).
- Plurals of lowercase letters and numerals: An apostrophe is used to form plurals of lowercase letters, such as “mind your p’s and q’s” or “dot your i’s and cross your t’s”
- Singular possessive: An apostrophe and ‘s’ is used to indicate singular possession, for example, “the dog’s ball”
- Plural possessive: An apostrophe is used to indicate plural possession, for example, “the dogs’ ball”
It’s important to note that not all words and names that end with the letter “s” require an apostrophe for possessive form ,such as “its” (belonging to it) or “Jones’ ” (belonging to the Joneses).
Misuse of the apostrophe
A common misuse of apostrophes is when they are used to form plurals of words or numbers, rather than indicating possession or the omission of letters or numbers. For example, instead of writing “Apple’s on sale” it should be “Apples on sale” or instead of writing “10’s of people” it should be “10s of people”.
Another misuse of apostrophes is when they are used to indicate singular possession, but the word is already in its possessive form, such as “the children’s toy” instead of “the childrens’ toy”.
Apostrophes are also misused when they are added to words that are already possessive, such as “its” or “whose” or “hers”.
It’s also worth noting that some phrases such as “for all intents and purposes” don’t need an apostrophe, and it’s a mistake to use one.
Additionally, some people use apostrophes when they are not needed and on’t use the when they are needed, such as in “its been a long day” instead of “it’s been a long day”.
It’s important to be aware of these common errors to avoid making them when writing, and to check for them when editing.
Descriptive Writing
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Take Before-lesson quiz (SAH)
Fun Question
If a painter creates artwork for people to see and admire using brushes and canvas, a creative writer creates _______ for people to imagine, see and feel using ________.
Preamble
Writing that is descriptive enables the reader to form an image in their mind of the person, place, object, or circumstance that is being described. Not only does it make the writing more enjoyable to read, but it also helps the reader grasp the text better and recognize the author’s aim more clearly when the reader is provided with a text that provides them with a vivid, sensory impression in their mind.
Full Lesson
- Good and bad examples of descriptive writing
Here is a good example of descriptive writing:
“The sun was setting over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the snow-capped mountains. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and wood smoke. As I stood at the top of the hill, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and peace wash over me. The view was breathtaking and I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to witness such beauty.”
And here is a bad example of descriptive writing:
“The sun was setting and it was really pretty. The mountains were snowy and the trees were moving because of the wind. I was standing at the top of a hill and it was a good view. I felt good.”
The good example uses specific details and sensory language to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. The bad example is vague and lacks descriptive language.
Here is another good example of descriptive writing:
“The old, dilapidated house loomed over the street, its peeling paint and broken windows a stark contrast to the neatly kept lawns of the neighboring homes. As I stepped onto the creaky porch, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. The air was heavy with the smell of must and decay, and I could hear the faint sound of creaking floorboards from within. Despite my reservations, I pushed open the door and was greeted by a dark, cramped interior that seemed to go on forever. Cobwebs lined the corners of the room, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t alone.”
And here is a bad example of descriptive writing:
“The house was old and not in good shape. It was different from the other houses on the street because it looked bad. I went inside and it was dark and small. There was some dirt and the floorboards were creaky. It was a weird feeling being in there.”
The good example uses descriptive language to create a specific and eerie atmosphere, while the bad example is lacking in detail and fails to set a clear scene.
- Tips for using descriptive language effectively
Here are some tips for using descriptive language effectively:
- Use specific and concrete details: Instead of saying “The food was delicious,” try “The spicy aroma of the roasted peppers and savory sizzle of the sizzling meats made my mouth water as I stepped into the bustling street market.”
- Use sensory language: Use words that describe what something looks, sounds, feels, tastes, or smells like to help create a vivid image in the reader’s mind.
- Show, don’t tell: Use descriptive language to help the reader experience the subject of your writing, rather than simply telling them about it.
- Use figurative language: Figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, can help to add depth and interest to your descriptive writing.
- Vary your language: Avoid using the same adjectives and adverbs over and over. Mix it up and use a variety of descriptive words to keep your writing interesting.
Fife _Oba Success 