Learning to Write Step by Step
Introductory Questions
- What is the difference between spoken and written language? Can we speak and write in the same way?
- How do we form a message?
- What is a sentence?
- What is a paragraph?
A sentence is a set of words that:
- contains at least a and a
- starts with a letter and finishes with a
- has a complete idea.
Examples
Time flies. Guests arrived. I understand. Our guests arrived by bus yesterday.
Check yourself: Is it a sentence or a phrase?
| She lives here. | |
| What were you doing yesterday? | |
| Raining. | |
| Because of the bad weather. | |
| Come here! |
Exception! Imperative (e.g. giving orders) — subject is not used!
He is stubborn (reason). He never listens to anyone (result).
He is stubborn, he never listens to anyone. (compound)
He never listens to anyone he is stubborn. (complex)
I try to eat healthy every day, I also drink lots of water.
I try to eat healthy every day, I still crave chocolate.
I try to eat healthy every day, I go for a long walk instead.
I try to eat healthy every day, I prepare my meals at home.
Practice — Use and, but, or, so to combine any two sentences about Anna.
Anna is my best friend. She works in a hospital. Hospitals are not her favorite place. Her home is in a small town. A big city is her dream. She is wearing glasses. She hates the big frames. She is calm in most situations. Big meetings are stressful. She is never late. Books fill her free time. Music provides relaxation. This woman is kind. Honesty is her rule. Everyone likes her.
I need to leave early, for I have an appointment.
= I need to leave early because I have an appointment. (complex)
Practice — finish with your ideas
I bought you this gift, for… He picked up the phone, for… She smiled, for… We closed the window, for… He always wears a watch, for…
The equipment is old, yet it still works perfectly.
= The equipment is old, but it still works perfectly.
“He’s 80 years old, but he exercises daily.” → normal contrast
“He’s 80 years old, yet he runs marathons.” → wow, that’s surprising!
Practice — finish with YET / BUT and your ideas
I studied all night, … She wants to speak fluently, … He says he’s tired, … I followed the recipe carefully, … He exercises every day, …
I don’t eat junk food, nor do I drink sugary drinks.
We didn’t go to the beach, nor did we visit the park.
He can’t sing, nor can he dance.
Practice — finish with your ideas
I don’t ___, nor do I___. He doesn’t___, nor does he___.
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses.
I went to the shop, and I bought some eggs, but I dropped them on the way home.
A wise person listens carefully. A foolish person speaks quickly.
→ A wise person listens carefully, a foolish person speaks quickly.
Practice — Make compound sentences using a different FANBOYS connector each time
- Learning requires effort. Progress never appears by accident.
- Failure tests character. Persistence builds success.
- Progress is not linear. It is not predictable.
- Hard work pays off. Laziness leads to regret.
- You can repeat old habits. You can build better ones.
- Progress is often invisible. It is constantly happening.
- Learning accumulates over time. Consistency matters more than intensity.
- Talent opens the door. Discipline keeps it open.
To connect two simple sentences that are closely related in thought, you can use a semicolon without a FANBOYS connector. Compare:
The guards are on duty, and the perimeter is secure. The guards are on duty; the perimeter is secure.
The radio is broken, so we must use hand signals. The radio is broken; we must use hand signals.
Peter and Mary have been dating for three years and are going to get married soon.
Compare:
Consistency builds confidence. Consistency reduces stress.
→ Consistency builds confidence, and it reduces stress.
→ Consistency builds confidence and reduces stress.