SYNTAXAnd why you should care

INTRODUCTION- SO WHO CARES? Understanding text means looking beyond

mere words on a page to the choice and arrangement of those words in order to analyze the way a writer expresses herself.

This is called style, and it encompasses syntax (the order in which words are put together), diction, and tone.

These elements of style help you make inferences and draw conclusions about what you read.

EXAMPLE: “SHOOTING DAD” (SHE DOESN’T ACTUALLY SHOT DAD IN THE ESSAY) “Our house was partitioned off

into territories. While the kitchen and the living room were well within the DMZ (demilitarized zone), the respective work spaces governed by my father and me were jealously guarded totalitarian state in which each of us declared ourselves dictator.”

PLICKER QUESTIONS 1 AND 2

BUT WAIT A MINUTE… THESE ARE IMPORTANT TOOTone: The tone tells you the

writer’s attitude toward a subject. Many different tones can exist in a text (humorous, serious, grim, formal, etc.)

Diction: The tone and attitude of apiece are directly impacted by the words a writer chooses.

LOOK AT THESE TWO SENTENCES: 1. Rising unemployment is a looming crisis.

2. Rising unemployment is an upcoming problem.

What is the difference?

PLICKER QUIZ

WELL HERE IT IS… These sentences mean the same thing, but

the words used in the first sentence create a sense of urgency in the reader.

It’s not just a problem; it’s a crisis! This problem isn’t just coming; it’s looming over us like a sinister shadow. The connotations, or emotions, associated with words help a writer establish the tone of a piece of writing. In the previous example, the word “problem” is relatively neutral, but “crisis” gives a sense of urgency. Also, the word “looming” is supposed to instill a sense of dread in the reader.

LOOK AT THIS PICTURE. NOW LOOK AT THE UPCOMING DESCRIPTIONS

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Description 1: What an eyesore! Rotting wood

and falling fence posts are not the image we want to project for our family ranch. We should take care of this fence

Description 2: This fence represents a simpler time when our great-grandparents first started ranching and knew how to make the most of what they had. We should take care of this fence.

Using your notes, answer these questions about each description: What does the sentence “We should take care of this fence” mean? How do you know?.

BUTCHER PAPER DISCUSSIONWRITE YOUR ANSWER ON A STICKY NOTE AND POST IT.

SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE IT’S JUST A FENCE…NO IT’S NOT. IT’S THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FENCE. As you noticed, the sentence “We should

take care of this fence” is vague and non-specific. The writer doesn’t say explicitly what “take care of” means. However, by analyzing the tone and diction of the descriptions, we can determine the point the writer is making.

NOW TO PRACTICESelect 3 sentences from The Yellow Wallpaper. Discuss with a partner the following: 1. Select three sentences. What may

the syntax of each be revealing about gender roles? How do you know? Identify any passive voice.

2. Using these three sentences select words that carry a strong connotation (emotional feelings attached to the word) and describe the impact these words will have on the reader.

3. Identify the tone of these three sentences. How does the tone contrast with the mood? What shows you this?

END OF PART 1

Recall: What is the difference between active and passive voice? Why might a writer choose passive voice over active voice? Why might Mrs. Mathews want you to use active voice?

PART 2 Syntax – The Order of Words

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU.. While tone and diction refer to the words that

a writer chooses, syntax is the order in which the words are written or spoken. Just as the definition of each word in a sentence conveys meaning, the order of the words also conveys meaning.

For example, “Lori picked up the baby” and “The baby picked up Lori” have very different meanings.

EXAMINE THIS QUOTE. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? HOW DO YOU KNOW?

MATTERS WORD PLACEMENT DOES The word order of this sentence is inverted.

You or I might say, “The future is always in motion.” However, if you read Yoda’s words out loud, you will hear that the inverted sentence gives a sense of motion by beginning the sentence with the word “Always.” Perhaps that word creates an image of years and years or a sense of something going on endlessly, while the typically ordered sentence sounds static in comparison. The order of the words reinforces their meanings.

INFERENCES AND MAKING CONCLUSIONS You may have heard the expression “reading

between the lines.” The expression means that readers should look beyond the words printed on the page to discern what the writer really means. This is the essence of making an inference.

When a reader makes an inference, the reader calls upon previous knowledge and his or her own ideas to fill in gaps within a text with information or to enhance the understanding of a text. Readers can use an inference to draw a conclusion about the text.

Analyzing a writer’s syntax can help you make inferences and draw conclusions about the meaning of a text.

TYPES OF SENTENCES If words are the building blocks used to build sentences,

then sentences are the building blocks that build a paragraph. When you read informational texts, it is important to keep in mind that writers are trying to make meaning with their word choices and syntax (word order). Take a look at the four different types of sentences below and note how each type of sentence has a different effect on meaning.

Declarative: The sentence is a statement.I went to the store.

Interrogative: The sentence asks a question.Do you want me to go to the store?

Imperative: The sentence gives an order or command. Go to the store.

Exclamatory: The sentence expresses a strong feeling.I am going to the store whether you like it or not!

KAHOOT QUIZ

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS A rhetorical question is a special type of

interrogative. A rhetorical question is a question for which no reply is expected, either because the answer is obvious and the writer is trying to get the reader to see an issue in a different way, or because the writer will provide the answer. Writers use rhetorical questions to expand the conversation between themselves and the reader.

Here’s an excerpt from a speech delivered by former slave Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852, to an anti-slavery group in Rochester, New York. He gave this speech nine years before the onset of the Civil War.

“Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty? That he is the rightful owner of his own body? You have already declared it. Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery? Is that a question for republicans?”

LET’S ANALYZE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES. What do the following sentences reveal:

“Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty? That he is the rightful owner of his own body? You have already declared it.”

ANSWER Douglass “asks” two questions and then

answers them. Basically Douglass says this: I should not have to argue that all men are entitled to liberty and should not be slaves because the Declaration of Independence states those facts outright. However, Douglass’s use of rhetorical questions reinforces his message that until all men are free, celebrating the Declaration of Independence, a document that specifically states “all men are created equal,” is hypocritical. His use of rhetorical questions allows him to challenge the audience without insulting them or turning them off to his message.

EXAMINE THE RHETORICAL QUESTIONS HERE

Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery? Is that a question for republicans?

Using your notes, explain what Douglass is saying to his audience. When you are finished, check your understanding to see a sample response.

ANSWER Douglass’s entire speech is filled with

rhetorical questions, underscoring the point that until all men are free, celebrating freedom is a sham.

YOUR TURN Create a T chart as shownIdentify the rhetorical questions in paragraph 2, 3,6,54,70.Write the rhetorical question, what it is really revealing, and then weave the two pieces of information together using weaving verbs.

END OF PART 2

START OF PART 3The syntax of sentences

SENTENCE LENGTH Lengths of sentences can lend meaning to

writing. For instance: “Our house was partitioned off

into territories. While the kitchen and the living room were well within the DMZ, the respective work spaced governed by my father and me were jealously guarded totalitarian state in which each of us declared ourselves dictator.”

The first sentence carries the main idea. The second sentence is 5 times longer and builds on the main idea, describing the conflict of war.

WHICH IS MUCH BETTER THAN SAYINGDad and I didn’t get along, so we had our own work space separate from each other.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE Sentences are made up of 2 types of clauses:

Independent (can be understood by themselves), and dependent (need to be attached to an independent clause to be understood).

Simple sentence: subject + verb + object, with no dependent clauses. Susan likes schcool.

Compound sentence: 2 independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Susan went to school, but I didn’t.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE TYPES Simple sentence: subject + verb + object, with

no dependent clauses. Susan likes school.

Compound sentence: 2 independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Susan went to school, but I didn’t.

Complex Sentence: One independent clause and at lease one dependent clause. Even though she was sick, Susan went to school.

Compound- Complex: Composed of a compound sentence with at lease one dependent clause. Even though she was sick, Susan went to school,

but I stayed home.

KAHO

OT Q

UIZ

END OF PART 3Please proceed to writing assignments 1,2 and the essay.