Analyzing Syntax Mrs. Pelletier English 3

Syntax the way words and clauses are arranged to form sentences arrangement contributes to and enhances meaning and effect Controls pacing, places emphasis

Look for… Anomalies - that is, the things that are different from regular writing You have to be aware of context here – understand the “regular” writing of the time period of the piece you’re analyzing Authors syntactical choices are made on purpose.

Syntactically, you create emphasis by: Position – Where you put something in the sentence Isolation – Setting it off by itself (dash, quotation marks, parentheses, etc.) Repetition – The number of times something is repeated Proportion – The size of the idea and how much of the piece the idea takes up

Excerpt from “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are “handicapped” and “disabled.” I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I’m not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering. People – crippled or not – wince at the word “cripple,” as they do not at “handicapped” or ‘disabled.” Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger.

“First, the matter of semantics.” Fragment – why? Is diction significant? “matter” rather than “issue” or “problem” Semantics – study of meaning; the relationship between the signifier and the signified

Excerpt from “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are “handicapped” and “disabled.” I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I’m not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering. People – crippled or not – wince at the word “cripple,” as they do not at “handicapped” or “disabled.” Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger.

“I am a cripple.” Why choose such a short sentence? To draw attention to the politically incorrect word “cripple.” What word sticks out? Why this diction? To shock To show that even though people don’t call her this to her face, the word exists, is always present

Excerpt from “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are “handicapped” and “disabled.” I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I’m not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering. People – crippled or not – wince at the word “cripple,” as they do not at “handicapped” or “disabled.” Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger.

What’s isolated and repeated? “– crippled or not – “ The dashes isolate and bring extra attention to the words “crippled or not” more forcefully than commas would. “Crippled” is repeated throughout the paragraph Forces the reader to confront the word to eventually look at the person as a whole person (rather than a label)

Excerpt from “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are “handicapped” and “disabled.” I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I’m not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering. People – crippled or not – wince at the word “cripple,” as they do not at “handicapped” or “disabled.” Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger.

Outsides the dashes “People – [harsh word] – wince” The reader is not alone in this reaction; trying to change society’s perception

Excerpt from “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are “handicapped” and “disabled.” I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I’m not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering. People – crippled or not – wince at the word “cripple,” as they do not at “handicapped” or “disabled.” Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger.

Use of quotation marks Why is the “cripple” in quotation marks for the first time? Why are the words “handicapped” and “disabled” put in quotation marks each time?

Excerpt from “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are “handicapped” and “disabled.” I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I’m not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering. People – crippled or not – wince at the word “cripple,” as they do not at “handicapped” or disabled.” Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger.

Position: “fates/gods/viruses” Use of slashes To juxtapose and jam these words together slashes allow the words to have equal emphasis while having an impact on the reader at the same time

Excerpt from “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs First, the matter of semantics. I am a cripple. I choose this word to name me. I choose from among several possibilities, the most common of which are “handicapped” and “disabled.” I made the choice a number of years ago, without thinking, unaware of my motives for doing so. Even now, I’m not sure what those motives are, but I recognize that they are complex and not entirely flattering. People – crippled or not – wince at the word “cripple,” as they do not at “handicapped” or disabled.” Perhaps I want them to wince. I want them to see me as a tough customer, one to whom the fates/gods/viruses have not been kind, but who can face the brutal truth of her existence squarely. As a cripple, I swagger.

“As a cripple, I swagger.” Position: last sentence gets more attention Short, declarative sentence: adds power Repetition: “crippled” Diction: “swagger”

Your turn ☺

When analyzing syntax… Consider these questions: Are the sentences simple and direct, or complex and convoluted? Does the author shift between these? Why? Does the author use repetition or parallel structure for emphasis? What is emphasized? Why? Are there interrogative sentences? Why? Are ideas set out in a special way for a purpose or effect? Cumulative or periodic? Parallel structure? Inverted order?