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A simple declarative sentence is the building block of all composition.

Simple Sentence Maps, Sample Set 1.

Monday, January 30, 2017.

A marmalade cat sat on a mat.

1. Find preposition and circle it; then loop around its object to form a pin (safety pin). Use blue, our linking color.
2. Find the verb and put a red heart around it. The finite verb is the heart of every clause (sentence). (A finite verb has properties expressed such as tense.)
3. Now find the subject of the verb by asking:  Who / What sat?  The answer is the subject; underline it with green. Draw a line between the complete subject and the complete predicate.
4. Ask the modifier questions– and mark with arrows.
Find the adjectival modifiers for cat: What kind of a cat?   Which cat?  How many cats?
Find the adverbial modifiers for sat: Sat where?  Sat when?  Sat how?   Sat why?

Quick notes on modifier questions.

Adjectival elements will answer one of three questions about a noun or something functioning as a noun:
1) What kind of ___?
2) Which one?
3) How many?
For example, select a noun and ask the questions. If word(s), phrase(s) or clause(s) answer the one of the questions, that word, phrase or clause is an adjectival element in the sentence.

Adverbial elements will answer one of five questions about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb:
1) When?
2) Where?
3) How?
4) Why?
5) To what degree? (for adverbs and adjectives only)
For example, select a verb and ask the questions. If word(s), phrase(s) or clause(s) answer the one of the questions, that word, phrase or clause is an adverbial element in the sentence.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

The cake is in the oven.

1. Find preposition and circle it; then loop around its object to form a pin (safety pin). Use blue, our linking color.
2. Find the verb and put a red heart around it. The finite verb is the heart of every clause (sentence). (A finite verb has properties expressed such as tense.)
3. Now find the subject of the verb by asking:  Who / What is?  The answer is the subject; underline it with green. Draw a line between the complete subject and the complete predicate.
4. Ask the modifier questions– and mark with arrows.
Find the adverbial modifiers for is: Is where?  (when, how, why)

Wednesday, February 1, 2017.

I can sit with his sister.

1. Find preposition and circle it; then loop around its object to form a pin (safety pin). Use blue, our linking color.
2. Find the verb / verb phrase and put a red heart around it. The finite verb is the heart of every clause (sentence). (A finite verb has properties expressed such as tense.)
3. Now find the subject of the verb by asking:  Who / What can sit?  The answer is the subject; underline it with green. Draw a line between the complete subject and the complete predicate.
4. Ask the modifier questions– and mark with arrows.
Find the adjectival modifiers for sister: Which sister? What kind of sister?

Thursday, February 2, 2017.

Grandma baked cookies today.

1. Is there a preposition? (no)
2. Find the verb / verb phrase and put a red heart around it. The finite verb is the heart of every clause (sentence). (A finite verb has properties expressed such as tense.)
3. Now find the subject of the verb by asking:  Who / What baked cookies?  The answer is the subject; underline it with green. Draw a line between the complete subject and the complete predicate.
4. Ask “Baked what / whom?” The answer (cookies) is the direct object of the verb, receiving the action of the verb. Put a D.O. above cookies.
5. Ask the modifier questions– and mark with arrows.
Find the adverbial modifiers for baked: Baked how? Baked where? Baked when?


For more Sentence Maps, select “Indexed” under blog Categories.