Identifying declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences

• ELA
• 6th,7th Grade

Identifying declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will know what a declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentence is and how to identify them.

Introduce the learning objective of the lesson and explain to students what they will learn and be able to do by the end of the lesson.

What do you already know
about declarative, interrogative,
imperative, and exclamatory sentences?

Declarative Sentence

A declarative sentence is a statement. It is used to convey information or make a statement of fact. 

Example: The sky is blue.

Explain what a declarative sentence is, and provide an example. Ask students to come up with their own examples.

Interrogative Sentence

An interrogative sentence is a question. It is used to ask for information or clarification. 

Example: How old are you?

Explain what an interrogative sentence is, and provide an example. Ask students to come up with their own examples.

Imperative Sentence

An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request. It is used to tell someone to do something. 

Example: Clean your room.

Explain what an imperative sentence is, and provide an example. Ask students to come up with their own examples.

Exclamatory Sentence

An exclamatory sentence is used to express strong emotion or surprise. It is usually punctuated with an exclamation mark. 

Example: What a beautiful day!

Explain what an exclamatory sentence is, and provide an example. Ask students to come up with their own examples.

Identifying Sentence Types

To identify the type of sentence, look for the purpose or function of the sentence. Ask yourself: 

• is it making a statement?
• asking a question?
• giving a command?
• or expressing strong emotion?
  

Explain to students how to identify the type of sentence. Encourage them to practice identifying sentence types in sample sentences.

Let's see if you can recall the four types of sentences 

Which type of sentence expresses strong feeling or emotion?

1. Interrogative sentence
2. Imperative sentence
3. Exclamatory sentence
4. Declarative sentence

Which type of sentence gives a command or makes a request?

1. Interrogative sentence
2. Imperative sentence
3. Declarative sentence
4. Exclamatory sentence

Which type of sentence asks a question?

1. Imperative sentence
2. Exclamatory sentence
3. Interrogative sentence
4. Declarative sentence

Which type of sentence makes a statement or expresses an opinion?

1. Imperative sentence
2. Exclamatory sentence
3. Declarative sentence
4. Interrogative sentence

Now you know the types of sentences, let's identify what type of sentence is the following

Ask students to identify the type of sentence in the example sentence and explain their reasoning.

What type of sentence is 'Stop talking during class!'?

1. Interrogative
2. Exclamatory
3. Imperative
4. Declarative

Identify the type of sentence: What time is it?

1. Interrogative
2. Imperative
3. Exclamatory
4. Declarative

What type of sentence is 'I am so excited for my birthday!'?

1. Exclamatory
2. Declarative
3. Interrogative
4. Imperative

What type of sentence is 'Please pass the salt'?

1. Interrogative
2. Declarative
3. Exclamatory
4. Imperative

What type of sentence is 'Have you finished your homework'?

1. Declarative
2. Exclamatory
3. Imperative
4. Interrogative

What type of sentence is 'I can't believe we won!'?

1. Exclamatory
2. Imperative
3. Declarative
4. Interrogative

What type of sentence is 'The cat is sleeping on the couch'?

1. Declarative
2. Exclamatory
3. Imperative
4. Interrogative

Write one declarative sentence

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write one interrogative sentence

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Write one imperative sentence

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

Write one exclamatory sentence

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.