Here's why:
* Compound sentences are joined by coordinating conjunctions: Words like "and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", "so", and "yet" connect the two independent clauses.
* They express a single, combined thought: The two clauses work together to convey one complete idea.
* Diagram reflects the connection: The diagram represents this relationship by placing both clauses on the same baseline, with the coordinating conjunction and its comma positioned between them.
Here's an example:
The dog barked, and the cat hissed.
Diagram:
```
The dog barked,
| | |
| | |
| | |
------- ------- -------
and
|
|
|
------- -------
The cat hissed.
| | |
| | |
| | |
------- ------- -------
```
The entire sentence is treated as one unit, with the coordinating conjunction "and" connecting the two parts on the same baseline.