W3 Simple, compound and complex sentences

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

WELCOME BACK

After today.... 

- I know more about topics that my classmates deem interesting.

- I know the difference between simple, compound and complex sentences (and how I can use this to my advantage)

- I  know more about education in different parts of the English Speaking World 

First: Speaking 

First up: Lena, with feedback by Soufian and Cas

Next: Eva, with feedback by Mads and Mandy

Finally: Rozemarijn, with feedback by Moreno and Jaymie 

Reading exercises 

Let's take a look at Reading exercises 17, 18 and 20. 

Exercise 17: everything requires hyperfocus except writing a book. 

Exercise 18: 1A, 2A, 3C, 4A, 5A, 6C

Exercise 20: Forced to do something: compelled; with little value: trivial; Successfully carry out a task: accomplish; in progress: ongoing; persuade someone: tempt; a debate: discourse; walk around slowly: wander;
on purpose: deliberate 

Take a look at the following three pieces of text. Which one would get you a higher score on a writing exam? 

I don't like school. School is boring. The lessons are too long. Most teachers are mind-numbingly boring. We never do anything outside the books. All we do is sit down and do exercises. The breaks are fun though. I have to go to school. I know it's important. 

I'm not a big fan of school, although I know it is generally useful, as well as mandatory. The things I struggle with are the overlong lessons and the tedious teachers. Furthermore, it would be nice if we could do some work outside the book sometimes and maybe get up and move around a bit at times. The best part of the school day: the breaks. However, there is little to do outside sitting on your phone, so it would be good if school could provide some sports equipment or games for us to play. 

Which part would land you a higher score, and why?

Writing skills 

Writing benefits from a lot of things: strong vocabulary, good grammar, clear structure, sound content, good arguments. 

It also benefits from variety in sentence length and structure. This is where complex, simple and compound sentences come in. 

What's the difference? 

1. Simple sentences: one subject, one predicate (gezegde). A simple sentence can be used on its own.  

2. Compound sentences: two simple sentences, joined by one of the so-called FANBOYS

3. Complex sentences: when one or more dependent clauses are added to a simple sentence. Unlike a simple sentence, a dependent clause cannot be on its own. 

Examples 

Simple: School is fun.    

Compound: School is fun but the lessons are a bit long.

Complex: School is fun, although the lessons are a bit long. 

On the next slide, fill in what you think FANBOYS are. (Yes, I know I could get unexpected answers asking it like this ;-)) 

What are the FANBOYS?

SIMPLE

COMPOUND

COMPLEX

It's late, so I'm going to bed. 

I'm awfully tired! 

Since it's late, I think I'll go to bed. 

I like him but he talks too much. 

Our teacher talks too much 

We were bored because our teacher talked too much

Turn these two sentences into a compound sentence: We won the regional championship. We didn't play well.

Turn these two sentences into a complex sentence: We won the regional championship. We didn't play well.

Write a complex sentence yourself.

On writing 

When writing, use a mix of simple, compound and complex sentences. 
Too many simple sentences? You sound like you're five years old. 

Too many simple and compound sentences? Alright, you sound like you're nine. 

Almost exclusively complex sentences? Overcomplicated, may sound pretentious. 

To work! 

- Exercise 30 on page 126 

- Then go online, to chapter 6 Countries and Cultures, and do exercise 32. You will find exercises about education throughout the English Speaking World. 

Both of these are homework for Thursday.