Let�s Spice It Up

Melinda Kennedy

Purpose:

����������� The purpose of this mini lesson is to show students the importance of sentence variety. This mini lesson is to show students how a variety of sentences can make a piece of writing come alive and flow better. This mini lesson should be taught after students have written several pieces of writing.

Material:

Overhead projector

Pens

Sentence Variety transparency

Sentence Variety handouts for students (it is the same as the transparent)

Highlighters

Time Required:

Approximately 15-20 minutes

Objectives:

NCTE

#5 Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purpose.

NCSCS

Competency Goal 6 - The learner will apply conventions of application of grammar and language usage.

����������� 6.01 Model an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:�� Using a variety of sentences correctly, punctuating them properly, and avoiding fragments and run-ons.

Script:

����������� �Everyone in this room can be successful writers; it just takes some practice. When you write papers, I want you to capture the individual�s attention who is reading your paper. I want that individual to have a desire to keep reading instead of falling asleep trying to read it. By making the choice to use sentence variety, you can capture an individual�s attention. Sentence variety is very important in writing. Using sentence variety helps the paper to have a better flow, it helps the reader to stay focused, and it creates a balance.

����������� Let�s do a quick review of the types of sentences. (I will write the following types of sentences on the overhead). A declarative sentence makes a statement. This type of sentence usually tells something about a person, a place, a thing, or an idea. An interrogative sentence asks questions. An imperative sentence makes commands. Usually this type of sentence will have an understood subject (you). An exclamatory sentence reveals strong emotion or surprise.

����������� Now let�s look at sentence structure. When writing papers, use simple sentences to explain a complete independent thought. A simple sentence has one independent clause. On the other hand, you should use a compound sentence when you have two ideas that are related, or have equal importance. A compound sentence has two independent clauses. Coordinating conjunction or a semicolon joins this type of sentence. In addition, you should use a complex sentence when you have an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. (Put the Sentence Variety transparency on the overhead projector. We will read over the transparency as a group. Next, hand the students their own sentence variety worksheet.) I want you to get out the last paper you turned into me. I want you to complete this worksheet using the papers I just handed back to you.�

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Website for Sentence Variety Worksheet:

http://www.pearsoned.ca/sightlines/gr_8/common/language_workshop/gr8_lwm8.pdf