From Basic To Complex

In order to write a good essay, students should learn how to write complex sentences.

1. Take a basic sentence:
Julie lost her bag.

2. Expand on it: (add an adjective)
Julie lost her pink handbag.

3. Expand again with additional information:
Julie lost her pink handbag in a bus station.

4. Combine two sentences:
Julie lost her pink handbag. She was waiting for her bus.
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus.
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus at the bus station.

5. Make substitutions:
Julie lost her handbag ...
Juan lost her mobile phone...etc.

6. Add information and construct a short narrative around the sentences students have created:
Julie was waiting for her bus at the bus station when she lost her handbag. She also lost her mobile phone and everything else in the handbag.