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