Compound sentence

A compound sentence is composed of at least two independent clauses. It does not require a
dependent clause. The clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (with or without a
comma), a correlative conjunction (with or without a comma), a semicolon that functions as a
conjunction, or a conjunctive adverb preceded by a semicolon. A conjunction can be used to
make a compound sentence. The use of a comma to separate two independent clauses is called a
comma splice and is generally considered an error (when used in the English language).

Examples

My friend invited me to a birthday party, and I accepted the invite.

Do you want to stay here, or would you like to go shopping with me?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_sentence
Compound Sentences

Compound sentences are made up of two or more simple sentences combined using a
conjunction such as and, or or but. They are made up of more than one independent clause
joined together with a co-ordinating conjunction.
For example:
"The sun was setting in the west and the moon was just rising."
Each clause can stand alone as a sentence.
For example:
"The sun was setting in the west. The moon was just rising."
Every clause is like a sentence with a subject and a verb. A coordinating conjunction goes in the
middle of the sentence, it is the word that joins the two clauses together, the most common are
(and, or, but)
For example:

I walked to the shops, but my husband drove.

I might watch the film, or I might visit my friends.

My friend enjoyed the film, but she didn't like the actor.

http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/sentencetext.htm