1. SYNTAX (Sentence Structure)
STYLE
SYNTAX (Sentence Structure)
The manner in which an author constructs a sentence

2. Syntax
Length
Types
Patterns

3. Length Short – approximately 5 words
Medium – approximately 5 – 15 words
Long – approximately 15 or more words

4. Sentence Types Declarative 3. Interrogative
2. Imperative 4. Exclamatory
Sentences are made up of:
a) phrases
b) clauses

5. Phrases and Clauses
A phrase is a word group that lacks a subject, a verb, or both. Most phrases function within sentences as adjectives, as adverbs,
or as nouns.
A clause is a word group containing a subject, a verb, and any
objects, complements, or modifiers

6. Phrases and Clauses over the moon (prepositional phrase)
walking with her friend (verbal phrase)
Clause:
Patricia arrived on the island of Malta
(independent)
where she was to spend the summer
restoring homes. (dependent/subordinate)

7. Independent Clause
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb; it expresses a complete thought, and can stand by itself.
I ran the race (IC)
By adding a subordinating conjunction, an independent clause will become a dependent clause
When I ran the race…… (DC)

8. Dependent Clause
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself. It contains a subordinating conjunction, and traditionally uses a comma when preceding an independent clause.
It is also called a subordinate clause.
When I ran the race, I broke my leg. (DC,IC)
I broke my leg when I ran the race. (IC DC)
Note: when an IC comes before a DC, there is no need for a comma
Or, there is no need for a comma when an IC comes before a DC.

9. Declarative 3. Interrogative Imperative 4. Exclamatory
Sentence Types
Declarative Interrogative
Imperative 4. Exclamatory

10. Declarative The king is dead.
A declarative sentence makes a statement.
The king is dead.

11. Imperative
An imperative sentence gives a command.
Cure the king.

12. Interrogative Is the king sick?
An interrogative sentence asks a question.
Is the king sick?

13. Exclamatory The king is dead! Long live the king!
An exclamatory sentence expresses emotion.
The king is dead! Long live the king!

14. Simple Compound Complex Compound-Complex
Patterns
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex

15. Simple A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
- The batter hits the ball
Subject Verb

16. Independent Clauses Linda appreciates African Folktales
Conrad lived in Chicago
Conrad relied on Dr. Berger
Several of Steinbeck’s novels were about
striving for the American dream
5. Linda criticized Beth for her ego-centrism

17. Compound
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction and a comma, or a semicolon.
The batter hits the ball, and he runs to first base.
(IC, conj IC)
The batter hits the ball; he runs to first base.
(IC;IC)

18. Compound Sentences
Linda appreciates African Folktales, so she loves Mr. Butler’s English class. (IC, conj IC)
Conrad fought with his mother; he relied completely upon Dr. Berger for guidance. (IC;IC)
Several of Steinbeck’s novels were about striving for the American dream; they focused on thwarted dreams.
(IC;IC)
4. Linda understood Beth, but she criticized her for her ego-centrism. (IC, conj IC)

19. Complex
A complex sentence contains an independent clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses.
When an independent clause comes first, a comma is not needed.
When a dependent clause comes first, a comma is needed.
The batter runs to first base when he hits the ball.
(IC DC)
When the batter hits the ball, he runs to first base. (DC,IC)

20. Dependent Clauses When Guest wrote Ordinary People
After Mendela had been released from prison
which was perhaps the most heinous of government crimes
While most Afrikaaners considered him a threat
Because Cisneros had published The House on Mango Street

21. Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions distinguish independent from subordinate clauses.
after how although if unless
as inasmuch until as if in order
that when as long as lest whenever
as much as now that where while as soon as
provided (that) wherever as though since
because so that before than
even if even though though that
TRY “THE RAIN TEST” TO TEST IF A SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION WORKS.
EX: AFTER IT RAINS, UNLESS IT RAINS, BECAUSE IT IS RAINING….

22. Complex Sentences
When Guest wrote Ordinary People in 1980, she didn’t know it
would win best picture. (DC, IC)
2. After Mendela had been released from prison, he was elected
President of South Africa. (DC, IC)
Mendela was sent to prison because he protested Apartheid.
(IC DC)
4. Many in South Africa considered Mendela a savior while most Afrikaaners considered him a threat. (IC DC)
5. Cisneros became a respected woman in Latino history because
she published The House on Mango Street. (IC DC)

23. Compound-Complex
A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
The following can be used as a guide for help
with designing various compound-complex sentences
IC DC, conj IC He went to the dugout after he struck out, and he threw his helmet.
IC DC; IC He went to the dugout after he struck out; he threw his helmet.
DC, IC; IC After he struck out, he went to the dugout; he threw his helmet.
DC, IC, conj IC After he struck out, he went to the dugout, and he threw his helmet.
IC; IC DC He went to the dugout; he threw his helmet after he struck out.
IC, conj IC DC He went to the dugout, and he threw his helmet after he struck out.

24. Compound-Complex Sentences
When McCandless burned his money, he tramped across the country in attempt to get to Alaska, and he spent almost a year there. (DC, IC, conj IC)
McCandless returned to Annandale; he spent time with his father until he became listless. (IC; IC DC)
McCandless traveled alone as he was in search of the transcendental experience; this encouraged him to strive for independence in the wild.
(IC DC; IC)
4. Most young men considered McCandless a hero, and while he certainly was reckless, he did display remarkable bravery. (IC, conj DC, IC)
5. Catch-22 is widely regarded as Joseph Heller's best novel, and because Heller served in World War II, which the novel satirizes, the zany but savage wit of the novel packs an extra punch.
(IC, conj DC, DC, IC)

25. Appositives/Interrupters
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that
renames another noun right beside it. The
appositive can be a short or long combination
of words.
Appositives are set off by commas.

26. Appositive Sentences Punctuate the appositive correctly.
The important point to remember is that an appositive is always separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma or commas.

27. Appositive Sentences
When the appositive begins the sentence, it looks like this:
A hot-tempered tennis player, Robbie charged the umpire and tried to
crack the poor man's skull with a racket.
When the appositive interrupts the sentence, it looks like this:
Robbie, a hot-tempered tennis player, charged the umpire and tried to
And when the appositive ends the sentence, it looks like this:
Upset by the bad call, the crowd cheered Robbie, a hot-tempered
tennis player, who charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's
skull with a racket.
Why are there no commas in between umpire and tried?

28. The insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.
The insect, a large cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.
A large cockroach with hairy legs, the insect is crawling across the kitchen table.
The insect, a large, hairy-legged cockroach that has spied
my bowl of oatmeal, is crawling across the kitchen table.
Appositive Sentences

29. Appositive Sentences
During the dinner conversation, Clifford, the messiest eater at the table, spewed mashed potatoes like an erupting volcano.
A modern-day dinosaur, my 286 computer chews floppy disks as noisily as my brother does peanut brittle.
Genette's bedroom desk, the biggest disaster area in the house, is
a collection of overdue library books, dirty plates, computer
components, old mail, cat hair, and empty potato chip bags.
Diane's eleven-year-old beagle, Reliable chews holes in the living room carpeting as if he were still a puppy.