Syntax Order of words in a sentence and how sentences are placed in relation to one another 1

Syntax is important because it… Directs a reader through a passage Impacts pace Provides emphasis to ideas 2

Common ways to identify and label syntax Loose and periodic sentences The different sentence types, as determined by purpose and structure (such as simple declarative sentences). Parallelism and balance Repetition 3

The 3 “Ps” of syntax (or why it is important) Prominence: the importance given to certain ideas based on where they are placed in the sentence Ex: You’ll see an example when we go over periodic sentences. Placement: where the sentence is located Ex: A fragment at the end of a paragraph – what’s its purpose? Pace: how sentence structure forces the reader to slow down or speed up Ex: If you read the line(s) aloud, would you be out of breath at the end? 4

Loose and Periodic Sentences Loose sentences state the main idea first and then modifiers follow. Periodic sentences place the main idea at the end (near the period), so the reader has to read the entire sentence to understand it. 5

Loose or Periodic? That morning after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences, we safely reached Edmonton. We safely reached Edmonton after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences. 6

Sentence types and definitions Declarative: makes a statement Imperative: gives a command (with an understood subject) Interrogative: asks a question Exclamatory: expresses a strong emotion 7

And now for something funny! The Office - Halloween 8

Sentence Structures (definitions to come later) Simple Compound Complex Compound-complex 9

Review Clauses! 10

Clauses: Independent and Dependent A clause contains a subject and a verb, but not every clause will express a complete thought. Independent clause = a complete sentence that can stand alone 11

Dependent clause (subordinate) = this clause is not complete and must be attached to an independent clause to complete its meaning 12

Examples Identify the independent and the subordinate clauses in the sentences below. 1.When my family went to New York last summer, we visited the Theodore Roosevelt museum. 2.AP English is my favorite class, and I just love the teacher. 13

Independent clauses are in yellow! When my family went to New York last summer, we visited the Theodore Roosevelt museum. AP English is my favorite class, and I just love the teacher. 14

Sentences Classified by structure 15

Simple Sentences Definition: These sentences consist of one independent clause. These have only one subject and one verb, but these may be compound. Example: AP English and English 12 were both taught by the same teacher. 16

Compound Sentences Have 2 or more independent clauses, but no subordinate clauses. College life is beginning to look better and better; I can’t wait to put high school behind me forever! 17

Complex Sentences Contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. I just love AP English because we always learn something new everyday. 18

Compound-Complex Sentences Contain two or more independent clauses (that’s the compound part) and at least one subordinate clause (that’s the complex part) Since he isn’t all that clever, Mr. Bruno will certainly run out of those lame AP English sentence examples, and we’ll probably have to make up our own. 19

KING’S “LETTER FROM A BIRMINGHAM JAIL” Diction and syntax in… 20

The importance of style: “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Diction: King uses passionate, formal and literary language to demonstrate the legitimacy of his argument. He uses concrete words to create a clear image of the pain associated with racism: “drowning,” “lynching” He uses general words to emphasize the far-reaching results of racism: “brothers,” “sisters” He uses harsh, violent words to emphasize pain, hostility and fear of racism: “vicious,” “smothering,” “twisted” 21

The style of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” continued… Syntax: Entire passage is only two sentences long The first medium length (loose) sentence utilizes a more simplistic and common structure. Perhaps it represents the thinking of white culture, which hasn’t dealt with harsh reality of racism. The second long and complex sentence represents the complex, multifaceted reality of racism. The periodic structure of sentence 2, which is enhanced by repetition of “when you,” results in providing the reader with a sense of anxiety, not unlike the anxiety of the person waiting for equality. 22

So what? Dr. King creates a style that demands respect and forces his audience to recognize the fear and anxiety associated with life as an African American. He does this through his use of formal literary language, his use of concrete and violent diction, and his use of repetition and parallelism found in the periodic sentence that ends the passage. 23