Syntax and Its Analysis They always talk about it on the exams, but what does it really mean?

Why study this? Most of the AP Prompts seem to focus on one of four things: Diction, Imagery, Tone and SYNTAX. After reading a gabillion essays, I have still never read about syntax. Being able to do this will set you well above the crowd.

How to Analyze Does the way the sentences are written enhance the author’s purpose? To figure this out, you need to know what the author’s purpose is!

Two Approaches Look for structures that are representational of that author. Does the author use certain structures often? Look for unusual constructions for that author. If he or she suddenly changes, there must be a reason why.

When analyzing a professional writer, we must: Assume that that he/she CONSCIOUSLY manipulated sentence structure. Realize that he/she DELIBERATELY used certain sentence structures to enhance the overall effect of the writing.

Parallel Structure Syntactic structures which are used in a series to create a pattern. Balance - using the same syntactic structure for two different concepts. The repeated structure implies a connection. Antithesis - the repeated structure contains opposite ideas. The repeated structure enhances the opposite connection of the two concepts.

Not all repetition is repetition! Repetition - the multiple usage of exact words or phrases. Parallelism - multiple usage of a grammatical structure.

A truism Authors wrote for their contemporaries, not for The Future. For example, Thoreau wrote for the 19th century adult, not a 16-year-old high school student. When this was written, EVERYONE wrote that way, and EVERYONE was educated to read that kind of writing. When reading classic works, be sure to look for oddities FROM THAT TIME PERIOD; DON’T COMPARE IT TO NOW.

How Authors Can Use Syntax Some Possibilities How Authors Can Use Syntax

Effects of Syntax Make Emphasis Create a focus To change or shift Establish or imply relationships or connections Reveal Persona Establish Tone Establish Mood

More Effects of Syntax Create a rhythm Aid in organization Create suspense, shock or surprise Create a pleasing style Create clarity, simplicity or economy Allow more depth in ideas Make the level of language more or less abstract/concrete

Even More Effects of Syntax Avoid excess or irritating repetition Imitate speech Create variety Create pacing

Specific Structures Different structures have different effects. The following list discusses some possible uses for each sentence type.

Simple Sentences in a pattern Makes the Persona seem immature or childish. The Persona might be blunt, rude or even angry. The Persona might be talking down to his or her reader.

Compound Sentences in a Pattern It may make the tone rushed, urgent or disjointed. It may give the impression that all ideas are equally important. It may do the opposite and make all the ideas seem obscure.

Complex Sentences in a Pattern May convey flexibility May create the Persona’s maturity.

Parallel Structure within a complex sentence. Has always been an element of Pleasing Style.

Special Sentence Forms These sentence forms are not defined by how many clauses they have, BUT THE ORDER THEY COME IN!

The Periodic Sentence All subordinate material comes in front of the main clause. In other words, it has “initial modifiers” Effect - creates suspense or results in a feeling of climax.

The Elliptical Sentence Leaves out part of the complete thought (hence ellipsis). Looks like a sentence fragment, which is of course a grammatical error, but this works in context. Should be used very sparingly. Effect - draws attention to itself for emphasis.

The Inverted Sentence Elements of the sentence are in a different order than normal. In poetry - this is often used to create rhythm or meter. In prose - can create rhythm or parallel structure. Draws attention to the “mis-placed” part, adding emphasis.

The Passive Sentence Has a passive verb Moving the receiver of the action to the subject position allows the writer to change focus away from the doer of the action. Can imply that the doer is unknown.

The Passive Sentence Pt. 2 Can deliberately hide those responsible. Reduces emotion because the persona is more detached. Changes the focus from the cause to the effect.

As a rule… Short sentences create clarity at the expense of depth. Long sentences explore depth at the expense of clarity. Did you notice how these two sentences were parallel?

Verbals Nouns that are created by adapting a verb (like running) Especially when used in a series, creates a sense of speed, a mood of excitement, or a stance of involvement.

Adjective Clauses Focuses on the things they modify, making them seem important.

Appositives Draw attention to the verb that they rename. Ad importance to that noun.

Adverb Phrases Focus on circumstances giving a more explanatory tone or stressing the indicative mood.

Noun clauses Make a piece seem more abstract, and/or more formal or abstract.

Prepositional Phrases Are soooooo common that they have no real effect unless they are piled on in a long series. When that happens, it can give a “breathless” feeling of excitement.