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      Writing inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’: varying sentence types to create rhythm

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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can vary my sentence types and lengths to improve the rhythm of a paragraph of creative writing inspired by Natasha Bowen’s ‘Skin of the Sea’.

      Key learning points

      1. A complex sentence is made up of a main clause and a subordinate clause.
      2. Complex sentences are divided by a comma when the subordinate clause begins the sentence.
      3. Writers use a range of sentence types and lengths in their work to create rhythm and pace.
      4. You should consider the rhythm of your own writing just as you would consider which word to use, or which technique.

      Keywords

      • Rhythm - the beat, flow, or pattern of a piece of music or writing.

      • Oscillate - to move repeatedly from side to side.

      • Defiant - boldly disobedient.

      • Subordinate clause - a clause of a sentence which doesn’t make sense by itself.

      • Complex sentence - a sentence made up of a main clause (a sentence which makes sense by itself) and a subordinate clause.

      Common misconception

      The term complex sentence is a synonym for a long sentence.

      A complex sentence is a technical term. It refers to a sentence that has a main clause and a subordinate clause. Sentences can be long but if they don't have a subordinate clause, they are not a complex sentence.

      Teacher tip

      Consider if there are questions you will ask around the CfU in LC2 to unpick the model and ensure that your pupils are ready to complete the practice task independently.

      Equipment

      You will need a copy of 'Skin of the Sea' by Natasha Bowen published by Penguin Random House in 2021.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
       except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
       (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      Download starter quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match each term to its definition.

      Correct Answer:verb,a doing or being word
      Correct Answer:pronoun,a word that replaces an already named noun
      Correct Answer:proper noun ,the name of a specific person, place or thing
      Correct Answer:subject,the person or thing doing the main verb in the sentence

      Q2.
      Match each sentence type to its definition.

      Correct Answer:simple sentence ,has one verb
      Correct Answer:compound sentence ,joins two simple sentences together with connectives
      Correct Answer:complex sentence ,made up of a main clause and a subordinate clause

      Q3.
      In ‘Skin of the Sea’, why is Simidele following the ship in the opening of the novel?

      to punish the slavers
      to protect the ship from sharks
      Correct answer: to rescue the souls of those who are thrown overboard
      to try and become mortal again
      by instinct

      Q4.
      Starting with the first plot point, order these events from the opening of ‘Skin of the Sea’.

      1 - Simidele is swimming alongside a ship and some sharks.
      2 - Simidele has a flashback to when she was a mortal.
      3 - Simidele is sad that she can’t remember more of her flashback.
      4 - Simidele refocuses on the ship.
      5 - Simidele sees a body in the water.
      6 - Simidele doesn’t allow the sharks to touch the body.
      7 - Simidele looks at the woman who has been badly beaten.

      Q5.
      Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, are complete sentences?

      Even though there were sharks.
      Correct answer: Simidele swam.
      Correct answer: The ship plunged up and down.
      Which was terrifying for her.
      Correct answer: Despite the crashing of the waves, Simidele followed the ship easily.

      Q6.
      Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, are accurate sentences?

      Correct answer: The ship was tossed violently in the storm.
      The storm, which was aggressive.
      Correct answer: Crashing from side to side, the ship continued to move forward.
      Correct answer: The storm didn’t scare her.
      Furious and full of burning anger.

      Assessment exit quiz

      Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A sentence is a sentence that has a main clause and a subordinate clause.

      Correct Answer: complex

      Q2.
      What is true of a complex sentence?

      They are always about complex ideas.
      Correct answer: They include at least one subordinate clause.
      They are the best type of sentence to use to show off your skills.
      You must always contrast a complex sentence with a simple sentence.
      Correct answer: They always include at least one main clause.

      Q3.
      Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, are complex sentences?

      Simidele travelled for many miles with the ship.
      Whilst there were many Mami Watas.
      Correct answer: Even though Simidele could control the sharks, she still feared them.
      Correct answer: Menacingly hungry, the sharks followed the ship.

      Q4.
      Which of these complex sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, is punctuated correctly?

      Although Simidele is a Mami Wata she was once mortal.
      Although Simidele, is a Mami Wata she was once mortal.
      Although, Simidele is a Mami Wata she was once mortal.
      Correct answer: Although Simidele is a Mami Wata, she was once mortal.

      Q5.
      Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea', uses the word 'defiantly' correctly?

      The sharks obeyed Simidele’s orders defiantly.
      Simidele remembered her defiant mission to gather the souls of the enslaved.
      Correct answer: The sharks disobeyed Simidele’s orders defiantly.
      Simidele was grateful to Yemoja and defied her at every opportunity.

      Q6.
      Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, use the word oscillates correctly?

      Correct answer: Many on the ship felt sick as it oscillated from side to side.
      The calm waters made the ship oscillate.
      The sharks oscillated as they swam, taking one steady, straight course.
      Correct answer: The ship oscillated, buffeted by the wind and rain.

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