All About Dickensian Syntax Cool lil’ techniques to add your knowledge of the English language

What is SYNTAX, anyway? So…Here’s the 4-1-1: In linguistics, syntax (from Ancient Greek σύνταξις "arrangement" from σύν syn, "together", and τάξις táxis, "an ordering") is the study of the principles and rules for constructing sentences in natural languages. Think about it…what does syntax look like when you text message your BFF?! Charles Dickens creates sentences that suggest in their very structure the complexities, contradictions, and paradoxes of his subjects.

PERIODIC SENTENCES What it is: In a periodic syntax structure, your main point is at the end of a long sentence. Example: Considering the free health care, the cheap tuition fees, the low crime rate, the comprehensive social programs, and the wonderful winters, I am willing to pay slightly higher taxes for the privilege of living in Canada.

LOOSE SENTENCES What it is: Conversely, a loose syntax structure places the main point at the start of a series of subsequent dependent clauses. Example: I am willing to pay slightly higher taxes for the privilege of living in Canada, considering the free health care, the cheap tuition fees, the low crime rate, the comprehensive social programs, and the wonderful winters.

The COOLNESS of periodic & loose sentences It’s all about the drama! Notice the difference in dramatic effect when you move the main idea to the beginning of the long sentence! PERIODIC: Considering the free health care, the cheap tuition fees, the low crime rate, the comprehensive social programs, and the wonderful winters, I am willing to pay slightly higher taxes for the privilege of living in Canada. LOOSE: I am willing to pay slightly higher taxes for the privilege of living in Canada, considering the free health care, the cheap tuition fees, the low crime rate, the comprehensive social programs, and the wonderful winters.

PARALLEL SYNTAX (Parallelism) What it is: In parallel syntax, items in a series make use of similar grammatical patterns. Example: Of the people, by the people, for the people Coolness factor: Parallelism helps readers recognize phrases of similar concepts through similar forms.

ANAPHORA What it is: In anaphora, there is a repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: But her whole body was shivering, trembling, quaking. And she couldn’t stop thinking about her empty bedroom. She couldn’t stop thinking about that one bedroom window. She couldn’t stop thinking that she would swear, she would swear, she would swear that Dead Eddie had been standing right there. Coolness factor: Anaphora is useful when creating a structural cohesion for a concept that might demand it. Notice how the passage is made more exciting and obsessive!

POLYSYNDETON (poly-sin-di-ton) What it is: In polysyndeton, clauses are strung together with an abundance of "ands." Example: I said, "Who killed him?" and he said, " I don't know who killed him but he's dead all right," and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights and windows broke and…"

ASYNDETON (a-sin-di-ton) What it is: Conversely, in asyndeton, the word "and" is purposefully and necessarily not used. Example: "Arise, take up thy arms!” " Women, children, old men, entered the lifeboats first."

The COOLNESS of POLYSYNDETON & ASYNDETON The use of Polysyndeton and Asyndeton is often thematic. Polysyndeton stresses equally each item in a series, slows the sentence, and makes items more emphatic than Asyndeton.

Let’s review what we just learned Let’s review what we just learned! Read each sentence and determine the technique(s)!

Anaphora I will fight for you. I will fight to save Bella from the wolves. I will fight to save text messaging.

Anaphora/Parallelism/Asyndeton We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life defending something. We use them as a punch line.

Parallelism/Periodic If, in my high moments, I have done some good, offered some service, shed some light, healed some wounds, rekindled some hope, or stirred someone from apathy and indifference, or in any way along the way helped somebody, then this campaign has not been in vain.

Periodic That night, in the rain and the wind, when we could see no lights in the town, we slipped away.

Polysyndeton In years gone by, there were in every community men and women who spoke the language of duty and morality and loyalty and obligation.

Parallelism I came; I saw; I conquered.

Loose The woman let loose a blood-curdling scream, a surprising thing because she spoke gently at first, enunciating each word with fastidious precision until that very moment when she could no longer contain her rage.

Let's apply what we've just learned, shall we Let's apply what we've just learned, shall we? Get ready to write…creatively, that is!

Syntax Application Working independently, write a story that relates to your concept card OR write Charles Dickens a letter that explains how you feel about his writing. Your responses should be 7-10 sentences in length. As well, your response should use each one (6 total) of the syntactical techniques! Be sure to highlight and label each technique in your response! -Loose -Anaphora -Periodic -Polysyndeton -Parallelism -Asyndeton