In academic writing you are expected to use full sentences, not bullet points or notes.
A sentence can be classified as simple, compound and complex. Simple sentences consist of one main clause. All main clauses must include a verb, and a subject, but also may contain other components.
Below are examples of possible sentence structures, simple sentences (one main clause), compound sentences (more than one main clause) and complex sentences (at least one main clause and one subordinate clause).
Simple sentences (one clause – link to explanation of a clause)
A verb alone is the shortest sentence grammatically possible in English but usually only used in spoken language (the subject is ‘you’ - the listener).
Sit!
Help!
A subject and verb is the basis of most written sentences. The verb must agree with the subject in present tense (e.g I am, you are, he is etc.)
He waits.
They know.
It is broken.
They are late.
A subject, verb and object, and subject, or verb and object, object. The object is the what or who the action verb is done to.
I opened the window.
He gave her the letter.
A subject and a complement. The complement includes a state verb, (not an action verb) and gives more information about the subject.
He is a doctor.
The music sounds wonderful.
A subject, verb and adverb or adverbial phrase. The adverbial phrase gives more about the action verb.
Jane worked swiftly.
The doctor stayed in his office all day.
Compound sentences
Compound sentences are made up of two (or more) main clauses (each of which could be independent sentences), e.g.:
Alex studies graphic design, and Simon studies architecture.
(Could be: Alex studies graphic design. Simon studies architecture.)
Complex sentences
Complex sentences are made up of an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which, which indicates that that clause is subordinate to the main clause and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Although he was invited to the meeting, he was unable to attend.
The designer had a studio technician, who had worked in a similar role before.
Some sentences can be a combination of compound and complex e.g.:
The package arrived in the morning, but the courier left before I could check the contents.