The Simpsons Teach Sentences

Adding Variety to Sentence Structure

To make your writing more interesting, you should try to vary your sentences in terms of length and structure. You can make some of your sentences long and others short. Read the two paragraphs on the next page.

Two ParagraphsRead the paragraphs below. Choose the paragraph that is more effective.

Paragraph #1I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of the entire city. I have an apartment. I can see the Golden Gate Bridge. I can see many cargo ships pass under the bridge each day. I like the restaurants in San Francisco. I can find wonderful food from just about every country. I don’t like the traffic in the city.

Paragraph #2I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have awonderful view of the entire city from my apartmentwindow. In addition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridgeunder which many cargo ships pass each day. I also like San Francisco because I can find wonderful restaurants with food from just about every country; however, I don’t like the traffic in the city.

How do you vary sentence structure?

You will want to use a variety of sentence structures in your writing. There are three types of sentences we will study in this lesson:

- Simple Sentence- Compound Sentence- Complex Sentence

The Simple SentenceA simple sentence has one independent clause (one subject and a verb):

Think of an Independent Clause as Marge Simpson!

Marge is an independent woman. She can survive on her own.

Independent (Marge) Clause

• Just like Marge, an independent clause can survive on its own.

• It is a complete sentence which expresses a complete thought.

• Subject + Verb

Examples of

Independent (Marge) Clauses

Homer does not work hard at the power plant.

Bart does not like to go to school. Lisa loves the saxophone.

SUBJECT + VERB

SUBJECT VERB SUBJECT VERB

SUBJECT VERB

The Compound Sentence

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses that are joined together.

A trick to remembering HOW to join these two clauses together is to use FANBOYS!

For F

And A

Nor N

But B

Or O

Yet Y

So S

Compound Sentence

(Marge + , + FANBOYS + Marge)

For

And

Nor

But

Or

Yet

So,

Compound Sentence

(Marge + , + FANBOYS + Marge)

Bart hates school, so he makes fun of the teachers.

Homer loves donuts, and he enjoys spending time at Moe’s.

Dependent ClausesA dependent clause cannot survive by itself. It does not express a complete thought. It is NOT a sentence!

Think of an Dependent Clause as Homer Simpson!

Homer is messed up when he is on his own. Without Marge by his side, things go wrong. He is DEPENDENTDEPENDENT on Marge and cannot survive without her.

Examples of Dependent (Homer) Clauses

Until the next time I see him

When I ran to the yellow house

Although I want to get an A in math

NOT COMPLETE

SENTENCES!

The “AAAWWUBBIS” Words

“AAAWWUBBIS”

are also known as subordinating

conjunctions.

Dependent clauses also begin with signal (AAAWWUBBIS) words.

We will call these “AAAWWUBBIS” words because they signal the beginning of a Homer clause.

Dependent Clause “AAAWWUBBIS”

AfterAlthoughAsWhenWhileUntilBecauseBeforeIfSince

Although the sun was bright

Before class started

Complex SentencesA complex sentence is a combination of an independent clause and a dependent clause.

Think of a Complex Sentence as the partnership between Marge and Homer Simpson!

Complex Sentences

Homer(D.C.), + Marge (I.C.)

, -OR-

Marge (I.C.) + Homer (D.C.)

Until Homer met Marge, he was a nobody.

Homer was a nobody until he met Marge.

Until Lisa goes to college, she will have to live with her

parents.

Lisa will have to live with

her parents until she goes to

college.

A Rule To Know!

A dependent clause (Homer) must must have an independent clause (Marge) by it to be a complete sentence.

Let’s Review the Three Types of Sentences!

• Simple Sentences (Marge)

• Compound Sentences (Marge, + FANBOYS +Marge)

• Complex (Homer, + Marge OR Marge + Homer)

Simple Sentences (Marge)Subject + Verb

• Marge walks to the lake.

• Homer sleeps too much.

• Bart is cool.

• Lisa will want to get a dog.

• The last “normal” person on earth is Ned.

Let’s make Complex

Sentences.

The formulas

are...

DEPENDENT

CLAUSE,

+

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

=

COMPLEX SENTENCE

Examples of Complex Sentence

AAAWWUBBIS + Homer, + Marge.

• When the grass turns green, Homer will have to mow the lawn.

• After Bart passes third grade, there will be a huge celebration.

OR

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

+

DEPENDENT CLAUSE

Examples of Complex Sentence

Marge + Homer (NO COMMA)

Homer will have to mow the lawn when the grass turns green.

There will be a huge celebration when Bart passes third grade.

Let’s practice

the different kinds of sentence

s.

Hart Middle School is ranked #1 in the state of

Michigan.

What kind of sentence is this:

•Simple, Compound, or Complex?

How can you tell?

Write your answers on your worksheet.

Mrs. Leider is quite a strange teacher, but Mrs. Nadlonek, Mrs. Schmidt and Mrs. Lane

are even stranger.

What kind of sentence is this:–Simple, Compound, or

Complex?

How can you tell?

Although I can’t swim, the beach is a glorious vacation

spot.

• What kind of sentence is this:

–Simple, Compound, or Complex?

• How can you tell?