ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 further shows topic development through the use of clause complexes, where more than one clause group is used to form logical relationships. The chapter describes the various types of relationships, their function in various genres, illustrates the challenges students have, and suggest lessons to address these challenges. In addition, this chapter shows how the oral-like writing of young learners matures to look more like the written language of disciplinary texts. This development includes the use of simple sentences with extended noun groups that include embedded clauses, the use of nominalization, and the use of prepositional phrases that pack information. These structures are not expected in younger students, but by middle school instruction can support the missed opportunities to use them.
