Begin by writing two simple sentences or independent clauses. For example, "Jim went out to eat last night. Jane met him at the restaurant after she got off from work." These sentences are simple because they are in subject-verb agreement, express a complete thought and have no elaboration, such as adjectives and metaphors.
Choose a coordinator. A coordinator is used to link simple sentences or independent clauses together. Use the acronym FANBOYS to memorize all coordinators. FANBOYS represents the coordinators for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. The most common coordinators, also called conjunctions, are "and," "but" and "or." Use the coordinator "and" to form a compound sentence from the previous example: "Jim went out to eat last night, and Jane joined him at the restaurant after she got off from work."
Don't confuse a coordinator with a subcoordinator. A subcoordinator is used to combine an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses to form a complex sentence. A dependent clause cannot stand alone because it does not express a complete thought. The most common subcoordinators are since, after, when and although. For example: "Although Jim got to the restaurant on time, Jane did not join him until she got off from work. Here the first half of the sentence is a dependent clause because it does not form a complete sentence; only independent clauses are used in compound sentences.
Use a conjunctive adverb. These verbs are used to show sequence, comparison, contrast and cause and effect. Common conjunctive adverbs are besides, also, however, anyway, then, now and instead. In this format, a semicolon is used to separate the independent clauses and form a compound sentence. An example compound sentence would be, "Jim went out to eat last night; instead of eating alone, Jane joined him."
Use transitions. Transitions are used to convey information clearly and concisely. Use them to establish logical connections between simple sentences and to vividly convey to the reader the meaning and purpose of the sentence. Words such as soon, later, then and meanwhile are used to show time; similarity is conveyed through also, likewise and similarly; emphasis is conveyed by indeed, truly and in fact; events and ideas can be conveyed by after all, for example and in conclusion. Use a transition to form the sentence, "Jim went out to eat last night; in fact, Jan joined him when she got off from work."