Simple, Complex, Compound Sentences
What type of sentence has one independent clause?
Simple sentence
These words replace nouns to avoid repetition, such as he, she, it, they.
Pronouns
Comparing two things using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.
simile
Which sensory details is used in this sentence?
“The waves crashed angrily against the rocks.”
sound
What is a 'cliffhanger'? Why is it used?
A cliffhanger is a narrative device used at the end of a scene, chapter, or story to leave the reader in suspense, unsure what will happen next. It creates tension and encourages the reader to keep reading.
What type of sentence joins two independent clauses with a conjunction?
Compound sentence
These words join words, phrases, or clauses — examples include and, but, although, because.
conjunctions
What is it called when a word imitates a sound (e.g., buzz, crash)?
onomatopoeia
The bright lightning cracked across the dark sky.”
sight and sound
Which device starts a story in the middle of the action?
a. in media res
b. flashforward
c. red herring
d. framing device
a. in media res
Identify the sentence types:
a. Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
b. The license must be renewed tonight, or you will have to pay a fee.
a. Complex sentence
b. Compound sentence
Explain the function and give examples:
- noun
- verb
- adverb
- adjective
Noun names a person, place, thing, or idea (teacher, school, friendship, fate).
Verb shows action, state, or being (run, swimming, is).
Adverb describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It tells how, when, where, or to what extent something happens. (quickly, yesterday, very)
Adjective describes a noun or pronoun. It tells what kind, how many, or which one (beautiful, exhausting).
This device exaggerates something for emphasis or effect, like “I’ve told you a million times!”
hyperbole
Rewrite this telling sentence to show the emotion instead:
He was scared.
His hands sweat and trembled and his heart pounded as he crept down the dark hallway.
Fill in the blank:
A sudden hint or event meant to mislead the reader is called a ______.
red herring
Add any missing commas to these sentences.
a) You must do your chores before you can watch TV.
b) I love pizza but not calzones.
c) When the fire alarm rang the students exited the building quickly.
d) Chloe and Renee loved the play’s first act, yet the ending disappointed them.
a) You must do your chores before you can watch TV. (no comma)
b) I love pizza but not calzones. (no comma)
c) When the fire alarm rang, the students exited the building quickly. (complex sentence: a subordinate clause + , + conjunction + the main clause)
d) Chloe and Renee loved the play’s first act, yet the ending disappointed them. (compound sentence: independent clause , conjunction independent clause)
Name the Part of Speech of each word in the sentence:
Wait! I left the keys in the shiny bowl and the umbrella beside the door again.
Wait! (interjection) I (pronoun) left (verb) the (article) keys (noun) in (preposition) the (article) shiny (adjective) bowl (noun) and (conjunction) the (article) umbrella (noun) beside (preposition) the (article) door (noun) again (adverb).
This device involves repeating the same consonant sound at the start of nearby words, as in “wild and windy weather.”
alliteration
Add two different senses to describe this place:
The café was busy.
The café was busy, the clatter of cups and chatter of customers filling the air, while the rich smell of fresh coffee drifted from the counter.
Which device is used?
The final page revealed that the villain was actually the hero’s best friend.
Plot twist
Explain the meaning of these keywords:
• compound sentence
• conjunctions
• complex sentence
• main clause
• subordinate clause
- Compound sentence has two independent clauses joined by a conjunction such as and, but, or, so.
- Conjunctions are join words, phrases, or clauses (because, and, but, although).
- Complex sentence contains a main clause and a subordinate clause joined by a subordinating conjunction like because or although.
- Main clause makes sense on its own and can stand alone as a sentence.
- Subordinate clause depends on the main clause for meaning and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Create a sentence using this structure:
Article + adverb + adjective + noun + verb + adverb + preposition + (article) + noun + conjunction + pronoun + verb + adverb + preposition + (article) + adjective + noun
The relatively exhausted teacher spoke quietly to the class, and he smiled warmly at the anxious students.
This device compares two opposite ideas joined together, like “bittersweet” or “deafening silence.”
oxymoron
Rewrite this sentence to create a specific mood (choose eerie, joyful, or calm):
The park was empty.
Eerie: The empty park was silent, the twisted branches of the trees casting long, shadowy fingers across the path.
Joyful: The empty park glowed in the morning sun, ready to welcome children laughing and playing.
Calm: The quiet park was still, with soft sunlight filtering through the trees and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.
Which device is used?
The story begins and ends with the main character writing in a diary.
Framing device