Writing to Entertain - Lesson 7 - From Simple to Complex Sentences Worksheet

In Lesson 7's worksheet titled "From Simple to Complex Sentences," students are encouraged to explore the art of sentence expansion. The exercise focuses on the addition of subordinate clauses to simple sentences, transforming them into more complex and richly detailed ones. This task not only embellishes the sentences but also provides additional context and depth, enhancing the reader's understanding and engagement. For instance, students might take a straightforward sentence such as "The wind blew through the abandoned house" and infuse it with additional detail to set a mood or paint a vivid picture, turning it into something like "The wind, carrying whispers of forgotten stories, blew through the abandoned house."

The worksheet presents a series of sentences where students are prompted to insert their own subordinate clauses. These clauses are meant to add intrigue or descriptive detail, such as explaining the circumstances or providing a reason for the action in the main clause. For example, a sentence like "The old man slowly opened his front door" could be expanded to "The old man, wary of the unannounced visitor, slowly opened his front door." This exercise not only enhances the students' writing skills but also encourages creativity and a deeper understanding of sentence structure. By the end of the activity, students will have practiced turning simple sentences into more complex and interesting ones, thereby improving their ability to write to entertain.