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Chapter 7 - Teaching Sentence Writing

From fragments and run-ons to clear, varied sentences in a second language

The diagnostic protocol, made concrete

Never let students "Accept All" on Grammarly or LanguageTool. The seven-step protocol asks students to read each suggestion, explain in their own words what error it fixes, decide whether the suggestion is correct, and only then accept or reject it. This converts a passive correction tool into an active diagnostic one.

Error type	Quick technology check	Teaching move
Fragments	Read the sentence aloud - does it sound finished?	Subject + verb + complete thought drill
Run-ons	Grammar checker flags joined independent clauses	Teach the comma + conjunction or full stop fix explicitly
Dangling modifiers	AI asked: "do not fix it - ask me two questions that help me find the problem"	Have students answer the AI's questions before revising

The Ask-Don't-Tell protocol: students prompt AI to ask guiding questions rather than supply the fixed sentence. The Three Attempts Rule: students try their own fix three times before accepting an AI suggestion.

Additional activities for Chapter 7

Pair15 minDigital

Activity 7.A - Grammar Detective, Extended. Pairs run three of their own recent sentences through a grammar checker, then explain each suggestion to their partner before deciding whether to accept it.

Individual10 min

Activity 7.B - Sentence Combining Sprint. Students combine five pairs of simple sentences into compound or complex sentences using a different conjunction each time, then read their results aloud for sentence variety.

Further resources

Appendix F - Sentence Writing Resources ↗