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Analyzing Syntax

Analyzing Syntax. Definition . Syntax: the analysis of sentence construction. Essential Idea: Syntax must be examined as to how it contributes to and enhances meaning and effect. Sentence Length. Telegraphic: Sentence shorter than five words Short: Sentences approximately five to ten words

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Analyzing Syntax

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  1. Analyzing Syntax

  2. Definition • Syntax: the analysis of sentence construction. • Essential Idea: Syntax must be examined as to how it contributes to and enhances meaning and effect.

  3. Sentence Length • Telegraphic: Sentence shorter than five words • Short: Sentences approximately five to ten words • Medium: Sentences approximately fifteen to twenty words long • Long: Sentences approximately thirty or more words long

  4. Sentence Length: Questions to ask • Does the length of sentences fit the subject matter? What variety of length is present? Is the length/variety of length effective?

  5. Sentence Beginnings • Ways to vary a sentence: • Begin with a dependent clause or a clause condensed to a phrase. Ex: While waiting for the movie to begin, my friends ate popcorn. • Begin with an adjective phrase. Ex: Waiting for the movie to begin, my friends ate popcorn. • Question to consider: Is there good variety or does a pattern emerge in the beginnings of sentences?

  6. Word order • Question to ask: • Are words set out in a special way for a purpose or effect?

  7. The four basic sentence types • Declarative = makes a statement. EX: The king is sick. • Imperative = gives a command. EX: Bow to the king. • Interrogative = asks a question. EX: What’s the matter with the king? • Exclamatory = makes an exclamation. The king is dead!

  8. The four basic structures • Simple Sentence = one independent clause. EX: The singer bowed to her adoring audience. • Compound Sentence = two or more independent clauses (joined by a coordinating conjunction – and, but, for, or, not, yet, so – or a semicolon.). EX: The singer bowed gratefully to the audience, but sang no encores. EX: The singer bowed gratefully to the audience; however, she sang no encores. • Complex Sentence = one independent sentence and one or more dependent (subordinate) clause. EX: Although the singer bowed gratefully to the audience, she sang no encores. • Compound-complex = two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. EX: The singer bowed gratefully while the audience applauded, but she sang no encores.

  9. Syntax Comparison • Describe the syntax of each sentence in each pair. • How does changing the syntax affect the speaker’s tone? • Stop crying! • Please, baby, I wish you wouldn’t cry. • What is wrong with you? • I can tell something is wrong. • After this, we are finished. • We are finished after this. • Your beauty is beyond compare. • You’re pretty.

  10. Syntax in Action: Mad Talk • Imagine a situation that makes you angry. Visualize the situation and think about what you would say to the person/situation if you were in that situation. • How long are the sentences?

  11. Syntax in Action: Fast Talk • Now, imagine a situation in which you need to persuade someone to do something. Visualize the situation and think about what you would say to the person/situation if you were in that situation. • How long are the sentences?

  12. Syntax in Action: Soft Talk • Imagine a situation in which someone needs comforting. Visualize the situation and think about what you would say to the person/situation if you were in that situation. • How long are the sentences?

  13. Syntax Comparison • What differences did you notice among the voices above? What effect on tone and purpose did the different size sentences have?

  14. Formative Assessment • Your teacher emailed your parents that you had been disrespectful in class, and your parents tell you that you have to apologize to the teacher next time you see him/her in class. How do you apologize? • Write two sentences, each using a different syntactic structure, that both convey the same message but have a different tone; therefore, each sentence is using a different voice. Label each sentence with the appropriate structure (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex). • Explain how the syntax of each sentence communicates a different voice.

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