Higher Close Reading

1. Higher Close Reading Sentence Structure

2. Simple Stuff • What is a sentence? • What are the following types of sentences – simple, compound or complex? • Radiohead write fantastic music. • Although Radiohead write fantastic music, I know that their themes are a little bleak for some. • Radiohead write fantastic music, and they consistently set new boundaries.

3. Simple sentence (main clause) – Subject plus verb • Compound sentence - 2 simple sentences joined with a coordinating conjunction • Subordinate clause – A main clause that does not make sense on its own. • “When the idiot next to me was quiet, I could actually hear the band.”

4. What to look out for • Short/minor sentences • Exclamation/command/statement/ question (rhetorical) • Repetition – clause, phrase, word, sound • Antithesis/ balance • Triads • lists • inversion • Climax/anti-climax • Parenthesis • Use of conjunctions/ position of words • Punctuation (be aware of what the mark is doing)

5. Sentence length • You should also examine the length of sentences. • Short – draw attention to a point. Dramatic etc • Long sentences – build up pace, present us with a list or a series, build to a climax or an anti-climax

6. Lists or series • Do not mention that commas or semi colons make up a list – a number of items make up a list. • Make your comments specific. • Polysyndetic lists – I’ve got Pablo Honey and The Bends and Ok Computer and just about everything they’ve ever done. (Shows excitement, albums are equally important) • Asyndetic lists – I spend my days wondering, thinking, understanding. (open ended feeling – suggests list could go on etc)

7. Punctuation • What are the following types of punctuation and what are they used for? • “ ” • ! • : • ; • … • - - • ( ) • ,

8. Annotate the article and answer the questions that follow

9. Write down 5 things you should look for when asked about sentence structure