We had a blast last week reviewing how to make our sentences more concise, and we are so looking forward to showing the students how to make those sentences even more purposeful by switching up sentence structure. Please note: these are for MEMBERS ONLY 🙂

Writing Lab #4: Sentence Variety

Class Syllabus – Grades 6-8

December 20, 2022

Objective: Students will be able to explore various sentence structures and determine their impact on a work of writing.

Essential Questions:

1. What is sentence variety, and why is it important to be cognizant of when writing?
2. What are the different types of sentences and their impact on writing?

Enduring Understandings:

1. Sentence variety means changing up the construction of sentences in order to engage the reader and express a message in a dynamic way. It is important to be cognizant of because different constructions can help in conveying particular messages.
2. The different types of sentences are the following:
   1. Simple: 1 independent clause; helps in conveying main points and main ideas.
   2. Compound: 2 independent clauses; helps to express and build upon points in a clear way
   3. Complex: 1 dependent, 1 independent clause; helps to convey cause and effect
   4. Compound/Complex: 1 dependent, 2 independent clauses; expresses a function of a multi-faceted idea.

Standards:

Grade 6:	Grade 7:	Grade 8:
​L.6.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. A. Vary sentence patterns for meaning (syntax), reader/listener interest, and style/voice. B. Maintain consistency in style and tone.	L.7.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. A. Vary sentence patterns for meaning (syntax), reader/listener interest, and style/voice. B. Maintain consistency in style and tone.	L.8.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. A. Vary sentence patterns for meaning (syntax), reader/listener interest, and style/voice. B. Maintain consistency in style and tone.

Materials:

• Please save the worksheet on your computer and have it ready and available to type into. DO NOT START IT.