Writing Skills:
Simple & Compound
Sentences
Unit 1: Campus Life
Let’s list some problems that students face in
their lives. You can use ideas from last class!
Do you relate to any of these problems?
Simple Sentences – Look at these sentences:
1. The library is crowded.
2. My advisor helped me yesterday.
3. Students need more time for assignments.
Questions:
1. How many ideas does each sentence have?
2. What do they have in common?
1 complete idea → subject + verb → this is a Simple Sentence.
Simple Sentence:
1. ONE complete idea
2. Subject + Verb (+ Object)
3. Ends with a full stop (.)
Example: The library is crowded.
Compound Sentences – Now look at these sentences:
1. The library is crowded, but I can still study there.
2. My advisor helped me, and she explained the syllabus.
3. Students need more time, so the professor gave an extension.
Prompt on slide:
1. How many ideas does each sentence have?
2. What word connects the two ideas?
3. What happens if we remove the connecting word?
2 complete ideas joined by a conjunction →
this is a Compound Sentence.
Compound Sentence
1. 2 complete ideas
2. Joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor,
but, or, yet, so)
3. Ends with a full stop (.)
Example: The library is crowded, but I can still study there.
FANBOYS are used to make compound sentences
What do you notice?
1. A Simple Sentence has ______ idea.
2. A Compound Sentence has ______ ideas joined with a
word like and / but / so / yet.
Practice 1 – Identify: Decide if each sentence is
Simple or Compound.
1. The library is noisy.
2. I finished my assignment, but I forgot to print it.
3. My advisor helped me with my schedule.
4. We can study in the dorm, or we can go to the library.
5. The cafeteria is crowded at noon.
Practice 2 – Combine: Join the pairs of sentences using
a FANBOYS word to make compound sentences.
1. The exam is tomorrow. I am nervous.
2. The library is quiet. I like to study there.
3. I don’t understand the homework. I didn’t ask in class.
4. We can eat in the cafeteria. We can order food outside.
5. My class finished early. I went to the library.
Write About Your Campus Life. Write at least 2
simple sentences and 2 compound sentences.
1. (Simple) → Write one sentence about a class.
2. (Simple) → Write one sentence about your dorm or home.
3. (Simple) → Write one sentence about your free time.
4. (Compound) → Write one sentence about a campus problem + result (use so).
5. (Compound) → Write one sentence about two different ideas (use but or yet).
6. (Compound) → Write one sentence about a choice (use or).
Check Your Sentences with ChatGPT
Step 1 – Self-check Step 2 – Copy your sentences into
1. Look at the sentences you wrote.
ChatGPT with this prompt:
2. Write Simple or Compound next to 1. Here are my sentences. I wrote
each one. “simple” or “compound” next to
each one.
2. Please check if I labeled them
correctly.
3. If I made a mistake, explain it in a
simple way.
4. Also, show me if there are any
punctuation errors.
Step 3 – Compare
1. Did your answers match ChatGPT’s
feedback?
2. Fix any sentences that were
labeled incorrectly.
Fluency Writing Task
Write a short paragraph Ideas to choose from:
(6–8 sentences). 1. Too many deadlines in the
same week
2. Overlapping classes or exams
1. Topic: One problem
3. A noisy dorm or no place to
students face at study
university.
4. Long lines in the cafeteria
5. Not enough time for library
2. Use both simple and study
compound sentences. 6. Difficult electives that take
extra work
7. Lack of help from an advisor
8. Heavy homework after
lectures
Writing Self-Checklist: Before you finish, read your
paragraph and check:
Sentence Types
1. I wrote at least 3 simple sentences.
2. I wrote at least 3 compound sentences.
Compound Sentences
1. Each compound sentence has two complete ideas.
2. I used a FANBOYS word (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Clarity & Punctuation
1. Each sentence ends with a full stop (.).
2. My sentences are clear and easy to read.
3. I checked that my punctuation (comma + FANBOYS) is
correct.
Check Your Paragraph with ChatGPT
Step 1 – Copy your paragraph. Step 3 – Read ChatGPT’s
feedback.
Step 2 – Paste this prompt into
ChatGPT: 1. Did you use at least 3 simple
sentences?
Here is my paragraph. Please check
only for the following: 2. Did you use at least 3 compound
sentences?
1. Tell me which sentences are
3. Did you use FANBOYS and
simple. punctuation correctly?
2. Tell me which sentences are
compound.
3. If I used FANBOYS words
correctly in the compound
sentences.
4. If my punctuation is correct
(full stop at the end of each
sentence, comma before
FANBOYS).
5. Do not comment on paragraph
structure or ideas.
Who Wants to Share?
Would you like to share your paragraph with the class?
We will check together:
1. Which sentences are simple
2. Which sentences are compound
3. If the FANBOYS and punctuation are correct
We will give quick, positive feedback to help everyone improve.
Let’s Journal …
1. What happened in today’s class?
2. How do you feel about it?
Don’t forget the assignment on Moodle ☺