What is Syntactic Fluency? The ability to create a variety of sentence structures – appropriately complex and/or simple and varied in length to add interest to writing. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is Syntactic Permutation? Sentence structures that are extraordinarily complex and involved. Often difficult for a reader to follow. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Sentence Forms

What is a Simple Sentence? Contains one independent clause - can stand by itself - and no dependent clauses – which cannot stand alone. Examples of Simple Sentences: The baby cried. -Independent clause: contains one subject, baby, and one predicate, cried. The girl ran into her bedroom. - Independent clause: contains one subject, girl, and one predicate, ran into her bedroom. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Complex Sentence? Contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The dependent clause is introduced by either a subordinate conjunction such as although, while or because or a relative pronoun such as who or which. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Examples of Complex Sentences When I saw what you had done, I was sad. Independent clause: I was sad Dependent clause: When I saw what you had done That you love me makes me happy. Independent clause: (subject) makes me happy. Dependent clause: That you love me (acting as the subject) 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Compound Sentence? Contains at least two independent clauses, but does not need a dependent clause. The clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so), a correlative conjunction (both…and, either…or), or a semicolon that functions as a conjunction. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Examples of Compound Sentences The singer bowed, and the applause began. - Independent clauses: the singer bowed and the applause began - Coordinating conjunction: and Either the singer bowed or the applause began. - Correlative conjunction: or The singer bowed; the applause began. - Joined by a semicolon. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Complex-Compound Sentence? Contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Examples of Compound-Complex Sentences The dog lived in the backyard, but the cat, who thought she was superior, lived inside the house. - Independent clauses: The dog lived in the backyard and the cat lived inside the house - Dependent clause: who thought she was superior Though the movie had been tested on the market, The Last Shadow did not fare well in the United States, but it did develop a huge following in Europe, which usually does not go for this movie genre. - Independent clauses: The Last Shadow did not fare well in the United States and it did develop a huge following in Europe - Dependent clauses: though the movie had been tested on the market and which usually does not go for this movie genre 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Parallelism in Sentence Structure

copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. What is Parallelism? The technique of arranging words, phrases, and clauses side by side and making them similar in form. Ideas must be equal in some way, such as in emphasis, in use, or in fact. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Simple Parallel? A series of coordinated elements. Similar in form and grammatical function. Example Simple Parallel Sentence She looked tired, frustrated and disgusted. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Complex Parallel? Deliberately emphasizes parallel construction to achieve cadence and rhythm through repetition. The main clause (subject and predicate) ALWAYS comes first. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Examples of Complex Parallel Sentences A new generation of Americans born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of their ancient heritage ... (Kennedy) Throughout our nation, the major cities are in trouble: scarred by slums and ghettos, threatened by racial strife, crippled by inadequate finances... 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Periodic Sentence? Is not grammatically complete until its end. Is accomplished by the use of parallel phrases at the opening or by the use of dependent clauses preceding the independent clause. Is effective when it is used to arouse interest and curiosity to hold an idea in suspense before its final revelation. Also called a period. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Example Periodic Sentence “Out of the bosom of the Air, Out of the cloud-folds of her garment shaken, Over the woodlands brown and bare, Over the harvest-fields forsaken, Silent and soft, and slow, Descends the snow.” ~ From Longfellow’s “Snowflakes” ~ - Parallel adverbial phrases (“Out of the bosom”, “Out of the cloud-folds,” “Over the woodlands,” “Over the harvest-fields”), - Each followed by parallel modification (“of the air,” “of her garments shaken,” “brown and bare,” “forsaken,”). - The thought is not grammatically complete until the subject/verb group “Descends the snow” finalizes the statement. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Balanced Sentence? Characterized by parallel structure. Constructed as to emphasize an antithesis – two contrasting images. Example Balanced Sentences And so my fellow Americans – ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. (Kennedy) It is not that today’s artists cannot paint, it is that today’s critics cannot see. (Rothko) 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

What is a Loose Sentence? Builds through parallel constructions after a main clause. The main clause (with the subject and verb) comes first. Effective for description. Also called a cumulative sentence . 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. What is Asyndeton? Commas used with no conjunction to separate a series of words. Emphasizes the parallel structure equally and speeds up the flow of the sentence. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.

Example Loose Sentences featuring Asyndeton The brilliant assembly filed past us, the marshals with their batons and ceremonial red hats, the professors draped in their doctoral hoods, the graduates in somber black. Nothing could deflect that wall of water, sweeping away trees and boulders, engulfing streets and villages, churning and roaring like a creature in pain. 4/26/2017 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved.