Sentence Structure and Composition
The Sentence Structure and Composition domain tests whether you can build clear, complete sentences and organise them into a coherent piece of writing. NGSA items ask you to identify sentence types, repair fragments and run-ons, combine sentences, choose transition words, and recognise the best order for sentences in a paragraph. The composition task then asks you to apply those skills in a letter, narrative, description, or report.
Build complete sentences
- A complete sentence needs a subject, a predicate, and a complete thought.
- The four sentence types by purpose are declarative (statement), interrogative (question), imperative (command or request), and exclamatory (strong feeling).
- A simple sentence has one independent clause; a compound sentence joins two independent clauses; a complex sentence joins an independent clause with a dependent clause.
- A fragment is missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. 'Because the rain stopped' is a fragment.
- A run-on joins two independent clauses without correct punctuation. Repair it with a full stop, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
Combine and vary sentences
- Use coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to join equal ideas.
- Use subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, if, since, while) to show which idea is less important.
- Avoid stringing ideas together with and. Combine only ideas that belong together.
- Vary sentence openings and lengths so the writing does not become monotonous.
Organise paragraphs and compositions
- A paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.
- Keep unity: one main idea per paragraph.
- Use transitions such as first, next, however, therefore, and finally to create coherence.
- Before writing, identify the audience, purpose, and format. For a letter, include the address, date, salutation, body paragraphs, closing, and signature as required by the task.
- Plan with a short list or outline, draft, then revise for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clear order.
Worked example
Combine: 'The rain stopped. We went outside.' Answer: 'When the rain stopped, we went outside.' Reasoning: when is a subordinating conjunction that shows the time relationship and turns the first idea into a dependent clause. The result is a complex sentence with a comma after the introductory clause.
Traps that cost marks
- Starting a sentence with because and leaving it as a fragment.
- Joining two independent clauses with only a comma.
- Shifting tense or point of view in the middle of a story.
- Writing a paragraph that drifts across several unrelated ideas.
- Ignoring the required letter format or the purpose stated in the prompt.