A simple sentence has one main clause: Fitrat wrote plays. A compound sentence joins two equal clauses with and, but, or, so: He wrote plays, and he taught at the university. A complex sentence has a main clause and a subordinate clause: Although he lived a short life, he left a rich legacy. Subordinators: because, although, when, if, who, which. English word order: subject – verb – object – place – time. Literature terms: novel, poem, play, poet, author, character, plot, setting, theme, stanza. Abdurauf Fitrat (1886–1938) was born in Bukhara; he was a writer, scholar and member of the Jadid movement who wrote poetry, plays and academic works. He became a victim of the Soviet repressions in 1938 and was officially cleared (rehabilitated) later. His works are still read today.
Worked examples
Simple: The poet lived in Bukhara. Compound: The poet lived in Bukhara, but he travelled to Istanbul. Complex: Because he wanted to study, he travelled to Istanbul.
The novel, which I read last summer, has a strong plot and unforgettable characters.
Class activity
“Sentence builders”: groups turn simple sentences into complex ones by adding conjunctions.
Practice
1
Which type is it? “She reads and he writes.”
compound
2
Make a complex sentence with because: the poem is famous / it is about freedom.
The poem is famous because it is about freedom.
3
Put the words in order: reads / a novel / every evening / my sister
My sister reads a novel every evening.
4
Why is a complex sentence useful in a literary essay?
It lets you show reasons and contrasts between ideas in one sentence.