ADVANCED
SYNTAX
How to Craft Compelling Sentences
English II AAC
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever read a sentence that was so beautifully crafted, it left you in
awe? Or perhaps you've come across a paragraph that was so confusing,
you had to read it multiple times to understand its meaning? In both cases,
the power of syntax was at play.
Syntax refers to the ordering or arrangement of words to create well-
formed and interesting sentences in a language. It includes the structure of
sentences, their lengths, and various arrangements of these through
repetition and patterning.
Syntax is an essential tool for writers, and understanding it can greatly
enhance your appreciation and comprehension of literature. In this
presentation, we'll explore the importance of learning about syntax and
how it can help us become more effective readers and writers.
WHY STUDY SYNTAX?
01 02 03
As writers: control As readers: spot Knowing syntax
pace, emphasis, techniques, avoid helps us make
tone, and clarity. being misled, and smarter decisions
evaluate arguments. and stronger
analyses.
SENTENCE TYPES
BY LENGTH
Sentence length can affect the mood and meaning we make from a text. With a
partner, discuss what you think the effect might be of using each of the following
sentence lengths. Be prepared to share your answers!
TELEGRAPHIC 5 words or less E.g., Stop. Now. Don't move an inch. Don't even
breathe.
SHORT 5-10 words E.g., I walk to the road alone. I carefully check
each way.
MEDIUM 15-20 words E.g., The winding road, surrounded by tall trees,
stretched out before us, beckoning us on a
journey of adventure.
LONG 30+ words E.g., The winding road snaked through the dense
forest, its asphalt surface glistening under the
bright sun, as it led travelers to the quaint little
town nestled at the foot of the mountain.
SENTENCE TYPES
BY STRUCTURE
Another way we can categorize different types of sentences is by structure.
E.g., We arrived on time, despite the
LOOSE/
main clause first, then modifiers traffic, despite the rain, despite the
CUMULATIVE detours.
main clause delayed until the E.g., Despite traffic, rain, and detours,
PERIODIC we arrived on time.
end
two parts similar in length, E.g., She was kind in private, firm in
BALANCED
importance, and structure public.
equal ideas in equal grammatical E.g., The team practiced hard,
PARALLEL
form played with heart, and celebrated
together.
We can also categorize different types of sentences by considering how their
structure creates specific effects.
RHETORICAL a question asked for effect E.g., Who wouldn’t
QUESTION without expecting an answer appreciate a little more
time?
RHETORICAL an intentional sentence E.g., Not yet. Still
FRAGMENT fragment for emphasis waiting. Almost there.
ARRANGEMENT
OF IDEAS
ADDITION/OMISSION
POLYSYNDETON ASYNDETON
When conjunctions like “and,” “or,” and “but” are The opposite of polysyndeton where
used repeatedly in rapid succession. conjunctions are left out deliberately.
Effect: emphasizes items on a list, adds rhythm, Effect: creates a more dramatic effect,
builds pace, mirrors a child-like voice, or creates speeds up the rhythm or pace, or
a stream-of-consciousness style emphasizes the gravity of a situation
E.g., The sun rose and the birds sang and the E.g., The sun was shining, the birds were
flowers bloomed and the world came to life. singing, the flowers were blooming.
E.g., We could go to the park or the mall or E.g., She sang, danced, laughed, cried with
the movies or the beach. joy.
REPETITION
ANAPHORA EPISTROPHE
The repetition of words or phrases at the The repetition of words or phrases at the end
beginning of successive clauses. of successive clauses.
Effect: creates strong rhythm and Effect: creates cadence and emphasizes and
emotional drive the line ending
E.g., We're sorry for being messy, we're E.g., He pets the dog, he feeds the dog,
sorry for being moody, and we're sorry he walks the dog, and everything else in
for not listening to your advice. his life centers around the dog.
REPETITION
ANADIPLOSIS EPANALEPSIS
The repetition of a word at the end of one The repetition of words or phrases at the
clause and the beginning of the next. beginning and end of a clause.
Effect: creates a tight linkage across Effect: highlights the key term by framing it
clauses
E.g., Strength builds confidence;
E.g., The problem is timing, and timing it
confidence fuels action; action creates
the problem.
change.
Now, read the excerpt below and see if you can
spot and label some different syntactic devices.
The city sleeps while the shadows under the
streetlights of the city sleep. In the dark, the
alleys are narrow, damp, cold, forgotten. Yet,
the heart of the traveler beats for the road,
and the road leads to the mountain, and the
mountain reaches for the stars. This is our
journey. We must seek the light; we must find
the path; we must endure the climb with
courage, face the summit with courage, and
conquer the descent with courage.
Let’s see if you found the examples.
The city sleeps while the shadows under the
streetlights of the city sleep. In the dark, the
alleys are narrow, damp, cold, forgotten. Yet,
the heart of the traveler beats for the road,
and the road leads to the mountain, and the
mountain reaches for the stars. This is our
journey. We must seek the light; we must find
the path; we must endure the climb with
courage, face the summit with courage, and
conquer the descent with courage.
CONTRAST
JUXTAPOSITION ANTITHESIS
These sentences position opposite ideas These sentences position opposite
side by side. ideas using a parallel grammatical
structure.
Effect: creates contrast
Effect: creates contrast
E.g., Keep your friends close but keep
E.g., The bright new sign blinked over the
your enemies closer.
boarded-up shop.
E.g., Get busy living or get busy dying.
REVERSAL
INVERTED ORDER PERIODIC VS. INVERTED
These types of sentences switch the Standard: "The city is a great place to live."
placement of the verb before the
Periodic: "With safe neighborhoods and
subject as if in a question.
parks, the city is a great place to live."
Effect: emphasizes or creates rhythm Inverted: "A great place to live is the city."
Inverted + periodic: "With safe
E.g., Not only is he smart, but he is also
neighborhoods and parks, a great place to
funny.
E.g., Rarely have I eaten tastier food. live is the city."
CONTRAST + REVERSAL
CHIASMUS ANTIMETABOLE
Parallel grammatical structures or ideas Exact words from the first clause are
are repeated in reverse order, but with repeated in reverse order in the second
different words. clause. Antimetabole is a specific type of
chiasmus.
Effect: highlights key ideas, adds a poetic
quality Effect: repeats an idea for impact
E.g., It's hard to make time, but to waste it
E.g., You fail to plan; you plan to fail.
is easy.
E.g., Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's
Eg., She values honesty; dishonesty she
a pleasure.
despises.
Now, read the excerpt below and see if you can
spot and label some different syntactic devices.
To the shores of the unknown came the
weary sailors. They left behind the
comforts of the hearth to face the terrors
of the deep. They sought to conquer
their fears, yet their fears conquered
them. In the daylight, their hands were
heavy with labor; in the moonlight, their
labor was light in their hearts.
Let’s see if you found the examples.
To the shores of the unknown came the
weary sailors. They left behind the
comforts of the hearth to face the
terrors of the deep. They sought to
conquer their fears, yet their fears
conquered them. In the daylight, their
hands were heavy with labor; in the
moonlight, their labor was light in their
hearts.
To practice some of the different styles of syntax based on their
arrangement, choose a creative writing topic and practice writing at
least three different styles of sentences from the list below.
Writing Topics: Practice:
the circus
camping ANAPHORA or EPISTROPHE
grandparents
a secret
a tropical vacation ANADIPLOSIS or EPANALEPSIS
the classroom
a music festival
a bad mood ANTITHESIS or INVERTED ORDER
a war zone
snorkelling
a traffic jam POLYSYNDETON or ASYNDETON
CONCLUSION
Analyzing syntax in literature can provide us with valuable insights into the
writer's intentions and style and the overall tone and mood of the text.
Through the use of various syntactic devices, authors can create complex
and nuanced meanings that go beyond the surface level of the words.
Careful attention to syntax can also reveal patterns and themes that might
not be immediately apparent, and can enhance our understanding and
appreciation of the text.
By using a variety of sentence structures and syntactic devices in our own
writing, we can keep the reader engaged, add depth and complexity to
meaning, create emphasis and highlight key points, while avoiding
monotony and repetition. Ultimately, using varied syntax can make your
writing more interesting, engaging, and effective, and can help you to
convey your message with clarity and precision!