BARE BONES SENTENCES

1. BARE BONES SENTENCES If you have the simplest subject and simplest predicate possible, then you have a bare bones sentence.

2. The simple subject and simple predicate are the core of any sentence. Just like your bones are the core of your body.

3. When you look at a skeleton, you can see the basic type of animal or person it is. But it really gets more interesting once you add flesh onto the bones.

4. The same is true for writing. You start with the sentence skeleton: the simple subject and simple predicate. Simple Subject Simple Predicate

5. When you find the simple subject and simple predicate, you are finding the bare bones of the sentence. A verb A noun Shelly ran.

6. A noun is a person, place, or thing. A verb is an action or tells that something exists.

7. To find the simple subject, first locate the verb (a.k.a. simple predicate). The blue sweater in the drawer needs a button. Verb = needs What needs? sweater Simple subject = sweater

8. To make the sentence interesting, you add meat to the bones. Allyson Felix, two time silver medalist, Complete Subject ran the 2oo meter race at the Summer 2012 Olympics, finally winning a gold medal. Allyson ran. Complete Predicate

9. Bare Bones Story • Write a 5 sentence story. • Underline ONE SIMPLE SUBJECTS and ONE SIMPLE PREDICATES in each sentence.

10. A complete subject has the simple subject PLUS any words that modify or describe it. The blue sweater in the drawer needs a button. Simple subject = sweater What words talk about the kind of sweater? Blue, in the drawer Complete subject = the blue sweater in the drawer

11. A complete PREDICATE has the simple predicate PLUS any words that modify or describe it. The blue sweater in the drawer needs a button. Simple predicate = needs What words tell more about what is needed? A button Complete predicate = needs a button