Punctuation and Sentence Variety
Punctuation helps readers know where to pause, stop, and pay attention. Sentence variety keeps writing lively.
Learning objectives
- Recognise common punctuation marks and their functions.
- Create different sentence types to make writing more interesting.
- Use commas correctly in simple lists and after openers.
Success criteria
- Pupils can add commas to lists and after openers in short sentences.
- Can write at least one simple, one compound and one complex sentence with appropriate punctuation.
Common Punctuation
Commas (,)
- In lists: I need apples, milk, and bread.
- After openers: After school, we went home.
- Before conjunctions in compound sentences: I was tired, but I finished.
Question/Exclamation
- Questions end with ?: What is your name?
- Strong feelings/commands end with !: Watch out!
Clear Examples
Talk through these examples with children. Ask them to explain why each punctuation mark is used.
- I bought apples, oranges, and bananas. (Commas in a list)
- Before lunch, we played a game. (Comma after opener)
- It was raining, so we stayed inside. (Comma + conjunction)
- How did you do that? (Question mark for question)
Sentence Types
Simple, Compound, Complex
- Simple: one main clause — The cat slept.
- Compound: two main clauses joined by and/but/so — The cat slept, and the dog barked.
- Complex: a main clause with a subordinating clause — When it rained, we stayed inside.
Guided Practice
- Add commas to this list: We saw lions tigers zebras and giraffes. → We saw lions, tigers, zebras and giraffes.
- Join two simple sentences with but: I wanted to go to the park. It was raining. → I wanted to go to the park, but it was raining.
- Complex sentence using when: I cried. I lost my tooth. → I cried when I lost my tooth.
Encourage children to try each transform first orally, then in writing.
Try It
- Add commas to this list: We saw lions tigers zebras and giraffes.
- Join two simple sentences with but.
- Write a complex sentence using because or when.
Quick Checks
- ✓Do my commas separate items or clauses clearly?
- ✓Have I used different sentence types?
- ✓Are questions and exclamations punctuated correctly?
Extension Tasks
- Write three compound sentences using different conjunctions.
- Find a short paragraph in a book and underline all commas and full stops. Discuss why the author used them.
- Create a short story (6–8 sentences) using at least one question and one exclamation.