Accuracy: Sentences, Punctuation and SPaG
Sentence types — use a range
- Simple – one idea ("The door slammed.") — good for impact.
- Compound – two ideas joined by and / but / so.
- Complex – a main clause + a subordinate clause ("Although it was late, she carried on.").
Punctuation for higher marks
| Mark | Use |
|---|---|
| Comma | separate clauses / list items |
| Semicolon ; | join two related complete sentences |
| Colon : | introduce a list or explanation |
| Dash / brackets | add extra information |
| Apostrophe | contraction (don't) or possession (Sam's) |
| Ellipsis … | tension / trailing off |
Common SPaG fixes
- their / there / they're · your / you're · its / it's · to / too
- Capital letters for proper nouns and sentence starts.
- New speaker = new line for dialogue.
Exam tip
A well-placed semicolon or colon shows control and lifts your mark. Re-read your work in the last few minutes to catch slips — technical accuracy is worth a large share of the marks.