Raise your writing grade: Clauses and ColonsSentence Structures
Learning ObjectivesWe are learning to...•Understand how sentence variety can
make writing engaging•Control sentence structures
S4L: Perseverance
What is a semi-colon?
A small piece of punctuation that looks like this ;
It’s not a wink in an exam!
;)
Why is it used?1. To separate two sentences when they
are closely related2. To separate items in a list when the
items are long phrases
1 - Two connected clauses joined together•Elephants live in hot countries. They cool
off by bathing.
•Technology at the Cherwell is a real success. The computers are top quality.
Two connected clauses joined together•Elephants live in hot countries; they cool
off by bathing.
•Technology at the Cherwell is a real success; the equipment is top quality.
Add the semi-colons to these examples•Skiing is my favourite sport I won a gold
medal in a competition last year.•I hardly ever watch TV there are always so
many other things to do.•Ed was late for school again today the bus
was full by the time it got to his stop.•I am going to school early from now on I
will then be able to go to the Prom.
Remember: semi-colons to join two sentences/clauses which are close in thought.
How did you do?•Skiing is my favourite sport; I won a gold medal in a competition last year.
•I hardly ever watch TV; there are always so many other things to do.
•Ed was late for school again today; the bus was full by the time it got to his stop.
•I am going to school early from now on; I will then be able to go to the Prom.
Notice how they make sense on their own. They could also be
separated with and, but or if.
How did you do?•Skiing is my favourite sport; I won a gold medal in a competition last year.
•I hardly ever watch TV; there are always so many other things to do.
•Ed was late for school again today; the bus was full by the time it got to his stop.
•I am going to school early from now on; I will then be able to go to the Prom.
Notice how they make sense on their own. They could also be
joined with and, but or if.
2 - Long items in a listCherwell is great for many things. This includes the quality of the teaching. Also, it is good because of the excellence of the buildings and the wonderful cafeterias and the intelligence and helpfulness of the pupils.
Long items in a list•Cherwell is great for many things: the quality of the teaching; the excellence of the buildings; the wonderful cafeterias; the intelligence and helpfulness of the pupils.
Long items in a list•Cherwell is great for many things: the quality of the teaching; the excellence of the buildings; the wonderful cafeterias; the intelligence and helpfulness of the pupils.
Long items in a list•This first clause must make sense on its own: long items so not a single word; this means they must be few words; the final two items are separated with and for correct usage.
Make a list using this structure.Remember, long items in a list and not
single words.
Long items in a list•................: ....... ...... ..... .......; ...... ..... ...... .....; ....... ....... ....... ....... and ............. ....... .
TASK: Make a list of reasons why the children should be able to travel free on buses.
What is a colon?What does it do?
The first clause is separated with a colon.
ColonsOne type of colon is also known as your large or small intestine: it’s not
this type of colon!
What is a colon?• (A part of your stomach)•A punctuation mark that looks like this
:This is the one that’s important
in your exam.
What are its uses?1.To introduce a
quotation or list2.To add emphasis to a
point by putting it on its own
To introduce a quotation or list – you have a go•In scene 5, Romeo states “Juliet, I love your hat”
•There are many ways to make money sell your kidney, rob a bank, invent something amazing etc.
CAREFUL! ONLY USE WHEN THE SENTENCE COULD COME TO A STOP, NOT HALF WAY THROUGH A SENTENCE
To introduce a quotation or list•In scene 5, Romeo states: “Juliet, I love your hat”
•There are many ways to make money: sell your kidney, rob a bank, invent something amazing etc.
This must be a complete
sentence and make sense on
its own
To introduce a quotation or list•In scene 5, Romeo states: “Juliet, I love your hat”
•There are many ways to: make money, sell your kidney, rob a bank, invent something amazing etc.
Not a complete
sentence, so INCORRECT!
To isolate a point for Emphasis
There’s only one word I can use to describe your hair. Fabulous.
To isolate a point for Emphasis
There’s only one word I can use to describe your hair: fabulous.
To isolate a point for Emphasis
Some people think that colons do not matter: colons matter.
Your Turn
This shot makes the audience feel a number of emotions fear, horror and shock.There are many reasons for this the camera angles, the lighting and the sound.I can think of three words to describe English fun, exciting and joyous.There is only one way to describe Y11 swag.
The Subordinate Clause•A subordinate, or dependent clause, is a
clause which adds more information to a sentence but is incomplete and not a sentence on its own.
Embedding the subordinate clauseSeparate the clause using commas
Embedding the subordinate clauseHollywood has indirectly registered tremors from Ground Zero, but here is the first feature film to tackle the terrible day head on, and Paul Greengrass has delivered a blazingly powerful and gripping recreation of the fourth abortive hijacking.
Embedding the subordinate clauseHollywood has indirectly registered tremors from Ground Zero, but here is the first feature film to tackle the terrible day head on, and Paul Greengrass has delivered a blazingly powerful and gripping recreation of the fourth abortive hijacking.
The sentence can make sense without the embedded subordinate clauseHollywood has indirectly registered tremors from Ground Zero, but here is the first feature film to tackle the terrible day head on, and Paul Greengrass has delivered a blazingly powerful and gripping recreation of the fourth abortive hijacking.
The sentence can make sense without the embedded subordinate clause
Daniel, who did not set his alarm clock, was late for school.
Putting the subordinate clause firstWith unbearable severity, the students
were punished for not writing in proper sentences.
Putting the subordinate clause firstWith unbearable severity, the students
were punished for not writing in proper sentences.
This does not
make sense on its own
Putting the subordinate clause first – separate it with a comma.With unbearable severity, the students
were punished for not writing in proper sentences.
It could also be...The students were punished for not writing
in proper sentences with unbearable severity.
Subordinate clauses are joined with these (they’re called subordinate conjunctions) after
althoughasbecausebeforeeven ifeven thoughifin order that onceprovided thatrather than
until
sinceso thatthanthatthoughunless whenwheneverwherewhereaswhereverwhetherwhile
If you’re starting a sentence
with these words, your
sentence should have a
comma.
Subordinate clauses are joined with these (they’re called subordinate conjunctions)Unless you have fewer than 15 lates,
you will not be allowed to come to the Prom.
Because Daniel did not set his alarm clock, he was late for school.
If you use a subordinate conjunction first, your sentence must have a comma in it.
Some examples of discourses markerswith regard to; regarding; as regards; as
far as ……… is concerned, as foron the other hand; while; whereashowever, nonetheless, neverthelessmoreover, furthermore, in additiontherefore, as a result, consequently.
Now write a brief article persuading people to cycle and not driveThis should include all of the following: •Semi-colon•Colon•Embedded subordinate clause•Subordinate clause first•Discourse markers
How do you do this well?Skilled efforts will …
1. Include clear ideas which make sense2. Write in accurate sentences using a
range of structures3. Choose some more ambitious words
Excellent efforts will…
1. Come up with original ideas and show increasing development and precision
2. Show an increasing variety of sentence structures
3. Choose some increasingly ambitious and impressive vocabulary
4. Begin and end in an unusual, thoughtful way
Top Related