Chapter 15 Language Features and Function
GRAMMAR FEATURES
Grammar features are about the types of words and sentence parts you choose to build meaning
in your writing.
Each type has a different job.
Type What It Means What It Does Example What Function It Helps With
Action verbs —
they show Tell what We ate dinner.
Material something actions or They learned fast. Informative or Descriptive
verbs happens or events are It was built last (because they tell what happens)
someone does taking place year.
something
“Being” or
This suggests
“seeming” verbs Describe how Explanatory or Descriptive
Relational that… It appears
— they show a things are or (because they describe conditions
verbs to be… She is
state, quality, or seem or qualities)
tired.
relationship
Make
Depends on purpose — “I” and
sentences
Words that “we” are persuasive or advisory
Pronouns more I, you, we, they
replace nouns (sound personal), “they” and “it”
personal or
are informative
direct
Verbs that show
Reveal what
Stative thoughts, I think, I feel, I Persuasive or Descriptive (help
someone
verbs emotions, or believe, I hope express opinion or emotion)
thinks or feels
mental states
Verbs that show
Suggest We should help. Advisory or Persuasive (useful for
Modal necessity,
advice, rules, They must act. You giving advice or encouraging
verbs obligation, or
or opinions could try. action)
possibility
An alarming
Nouns with added Make writing
Expanded problem for the
details (adjectives more specific Descriptive or Persuasive (makes
noun entire planet. A
or extra and writing vivid or detailed)
phrases quick nap in the
information) descriptive
afternoon.
Tip:
Use a mix of these features depending on your goal.
For example:
“We should plant more trees to stop pollution.”
→ Modal verb (“should”) + material verb (“plant”) = persuasive and action-focused.
SYNTAX (Sentence Structure)
Syntax means how you arrange words and sentences.
Different sentence types create different effects or tones.
Type What It Means Example What It’s Used For
Statements that tell
Declaratives It is too late. To inform or explain
information
To engage or make reader
Interrogatives Questions Is it too late?
think (useful in persuasion)
Commands or
Imperatives Don’t be late. To advise or persuade
instructions
Sentences showing To express emotion or
Exclamations You’re late!
strong emotion emphasize a point
Single-clause To make writing short, clear,
One simple idea He left.
sentence and direct
Multi-clause Two or more ideas He left because he
To explain or add details
sentence joined together was angry.
Not a full sentence, To express emotion quickly or
Minor sentence So unfair!
but still clear add emphasis
Long/short Short = emphasis;
Changing length Short → persuasive. Long →
paragraphs or Long = detailed
changes effect explanatory or informative.
sentences explanation
Tip:
Mixing short and long sentences makes your writing more interesting and more powerful.
RHETORICAL STRUCTURES
These are patterns or techniques that make writing more engaging or emotional.
They’re common in speeches, essays, and persuasive writing.
Feature What It Means Example What It’s Used For
Repeating the
beginning of So much to do, so little Adds rhythm and emphasizes a
Anaphora
sentences or time. key idea (Persuasive)
phrases
Using three words, Poorly planned,
Triple structure Sounds balanced and memorable
phrases, or clauses excessively confident,
(rule of three) (Persuasive/Descriptive)
in a row and misguided.
A question that
Rhetorical Who wouldn’t want a Makes readers think or agree
doesn’t need an
question better future? silently (Persuasive)
answer
Repeating important Never give up. Never Strengthens emotion and
Repetition
words or ideas surrender. memorability (Persuasive)
Tip:
Rhetorical structures are like “music” in writing — they make the message sound strong and
convincing.
LEXIS (Word Choice or Vocabulary)
Lexis is about choosing the right words for the right purpose.
Your choice of words can make writing sound emotional, descriptive, or professional.
Type What It Means Example What It’s Used For
Concrete Real things you can see or horse, teacher, To inform or describe
nouns touch village something real
Abstract bravery, sadness, To explain or describe
Ideas or feelings
nouns humour emotions
Emotive Words that make readers terrible, inspiring,
To persuade or empathize
vocabulary feel emotions heartbreaking
Words that appeal to the
Sensory sweet smell, rough
five senses (sight, sound, To describe vividly
vocabulary surface, bright light
smell, taste, touch)
Simile: “as brave as a
lion.”
Figurative Creative comparisons and Metaphor: “Time is a To make writing
language imagery thief.” imaginative and powerful
Personification: “The
wind whispered.”
Alliteration: “big blue
Phonological balloon.” To make writing sound
Sounds that create effect
effects Onomatopoeia: lively or poetic
“bang, crash, hiss.”
Tip:
Word choice is one of the easiest ways to change your tone.
For example:
• cold, empty, silent street → feels lonely (descriptive)
• thrilling, bright, bustling city → feels exciting (positive tone)
Summary Table: How Each Helps You Write Better
Purpose Best Features to Use Example
Material verbs, declaratives, concrete
To Inform The school built a new library last year.
nouns
Relational verbs, multi-clause It appears that more students are reading
To Explain
sentences because the new library is larger.
To Expanded noun phrases, sensory The tall glass windows shimmered in the
Describe words, figurative language sunlight.
To Modal verbs, rhetorical questions, We must act now — who will save our forests
Persuade emotive language, repetition if we don’t?
Modal verbs, imperatives, pronouns You should start revising early to get better
To Advise
(“you”) results.