Language and Grammar: Elaborate

Role-Play With a partner, act out an interview with an athlete who has just won a big sports competition. One partner plays the role of a news reporter and the other partner answers as the athlete. The athlete elaborates with details and examples. Use complex sentences to combine some of your ideas. Trade roles.

I hoped to win, but I wasn’t sure I could. Before I knew it, it was time to go to the rink. I was a little scared because it was my first big race. As I watched the other skaters warm up, I was nervous. This was not going to be easy!

Writing and Grammar: Use a Variety of Sentences

Study the Models You can make your writing more interesting by using a variety of sentences and by combining related ideas. Be careful not to join too many ideas with commas or the word and because this creates confusing sentences.

Not Ok

Because Raymond needs looking after. Squeaky watches him. She takes him with her when she trains for the race, and she lets him stay outside the fence, and then she sees him run alongside her when she wins. Squeaky and Gretchen might become friends. If they get to know each other better and maybe even work together to train Raymond.

not a complete sentence

This selection does not read smoothly. The writer has short and incomplete sentences and one run-on sentence.

Ok

Because Raymond needs looking after, Squeaky watches him. She takes him with her when she trains for the race. She lets him stay outside the fence, and then she sees him run alongside her when she wins. Squeaky and Gretchen might become friends if they get to know each other better. Maybe they will even work together to train Raymond.

This passage reads better. The sentences are more varied, and none go on and on!

Add Sentences Add two or three sentences to the OK model. Use sentences that are complete and varied to keep your reader’s interest.

Illustration of the pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN Write about how you would feel and what you would do if anyone made fun of someone close to you. Use a variety of sentences and combine related ideas when appropriate.

    Remember

  • • In a compound sentence, use the conjunctions and, but, and or to combine ideas.

  • • In a complex sentence, use a conjunction to join an independent and a dependent clause.

  • • Don’t string together too many ideas with commas or and.