1/5/2016copyright 2006 ; All Rights Reserved. 1 What is Syntactic Fluency? The ability to create a variety of sentence structures –

04/21/23 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 1

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.


What is Syntactic Permutation?

• Sentence structures that are extraordinarily complex and involved.

• Often difficult for a reader to follow.

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.


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.


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)


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.


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.


What is a Complex-Compound Sentence?

• Contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.


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

Parallelism in Sentence Structure


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.


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.


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.


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...


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.


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.


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)


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 .


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.


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.

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1/5/2016copyright 2006 ; All Rights Reserved. 1 What is Syntactic Fluency? The ability to create a variety of sentence structures –