Deaf and hard of hearing children tend to use short, simple sentences in their writing that frequently make their writing appear choppy and monotonous. Specific work on complex sentences can help add a variety of structures to their written language.
1. Work on one complex sentence structure at a time, for example, sentences containing the adverbial clause beginning with because.
2. Develop the sentences you will use for instruction, for example:
 John cleaned the floor because he spilled some milk.
Mom put the dog outside because its paws were muddy.
3. If possible, start with 2 pictures showing the action in both propositions.
One picture showing John spilling a glass of milk on the floor.
One picture showing John cleaning the floor.
4. Write a simple sentence under each picture.
John spilled some milk.
He cleaned the floor.
5. Show the students how to combine the two short sentences into one longer sentence.
John cleaned the floor because he spilled some milk.
6. Follow the same steps with the second sentence, discussing each picture and the simple sentence under the picture.
7. Have the children try to combine the two short sentences into one using a because clause. Give assistance as needed.
8. Continue with additional sentences until the children are successful in combining the two simple sentences independently.
9. Use the new structure, emphasizing it, whenever you can in your discussions and writing with the students.
10. Remind them to use the longer structure whenever they can in their writing.
11. Use similar steps and introduce additional complex sentence structures, for example:
Complex sentences containing adverbial clauses beginning with after such as After Sarah finished her homework, she watched TV.
Complex sentences containing adverbial clauses beginning with before such as Ramon brushed his teeth before he went to bed.
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