How to answer different types of questions about sentence structure.

What do we mean by sentence structure?

How sentences are constructed by the author.

How words are arranged in the sentence.

Features you may be asked about...

1.Inversion.2.Types of punctuation used.3.Short sentences.4.Long sentences. 5.Rhetorical questions.6.Repetition.7.Lists8.Minor sentences.

Important!In sentence structure questions you will have

to do two things:

1) Identify what feature has been used.

2) Explain the purpose and effect of the feature.

1. Inversion/ Anastrophe

In English, most sentences are structured as follows:

The car went faster and faster along the road.

The mountains were covered in a blanket of snow.

The man was reckless.

Why do authors use inversion?

To alter the emphasis of words in a sentence.

To draw attention to a particular word or phrase.

(usually at beginning or end of sentence).

How to answer?

1. Mention that the author has used inversion/ anastrophe.

2. Also mention what he is emphasising. What is the effect of the inversion?

2. PunctuationYou are likely to be asked about the

following types of punctuation:

Exclamation marks.Colons.Parenthesis.Italics.Inverted Commas.

Exclamation marks !Used to convey: 1.surprise/shock/astonishment. 2.that someone is speaking loudly.

3.strong emotion. 4.that someone is making a command.

How to answer:

1. Identify the exclamation mark.

2. Explain the effect of the exclamation mark in relation to the passage.

Colon :The information given after a colon will be

an elaboration or explanation of the information that comes before the colon.

David has three sisters: Fiona, Heather and Iona.

Africa is facing a terrifying problem: perpetual drought and famine.

Colon: how to answer

1. Identify the colon.2. You must explain how the information after the colon expands upon or elaborates on the information before the colon. Use your own words.

Parenthesis

To add extra information in the middle of a sentence that is not vital but adds to our knowledge and understanding.

Can be created using dashes, commas or brackets.

Parenthesis: how to answer

1. Mention that the author has used parenthesis.

2. Also summarise/explain the information inside the parenthesis. Use your own words!!

Single Dash -Used to add extra information at the end of a

sentence.

1. Identify the dash.

2. Paraphrase the extra information.

Italics

When words are written using italics, those words are meant to be emphasised/given greater emphasis.

1. Mention that the author has used italics and quote the word in italics.

2. Explain what he is emphasising.

Inverted Commas

To show that someone is speaking (dialogue).

To suggest that something is not genuine, that something is only “so-called”.

3. Short SentencesWhy are they used?

To speed-up the writing. To create a sense of urgency.

To emphasise a point.

To give impact to a statement.

Series of short sentences build up to a climax.

How to answer...1. Mention that the author has used short

sentences.

2. Also mention what effect his use of short

sentences has. What is the purpose of them?

4. Long sentences.

Long sentences can sometimes add to the effectiveness and impact of a passage of writing.

1. Identify that the author has used a long sentence.

2. Explain the effectiveness of the long sentence.

5. Rhetorical QuestionsInvolves the reader in the writing.

Shows that the author is addressing the audience directly.

Aim to stir up emotions and feelings in the reader

Tries to get the audience to think about what is being said.

To make a point or argument.

1. Identify the rhetorical question.

2. Explain the effect in the context of the passage.

6. Repetition

Sometimes an author repeats a particular word or phrase in a sentence or paragraph.

Why?

To emphasise a particular idea or point.

1. State that repetition is being used, and quote which word or phrase is being repeated.

2. Explain the effect of the repetition.

7. Listing

Where an author uses a sentence to list items which are somehow related.

A list is usually created using commas.

Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn are all planets in our Solar System.

Purpose

To emphasise the amount or number of something.

To emphasise the variety of something.

How to answer:

1. Mention that the author has used a list.

2. Explain the effect of the list, in relation to the passage.

8. Minor Sentences

A minor sentence is a sentence which does not contain a verb.

They are usually very short.

“Where are you going after work?”“The cinema”.

PurposeTo create emphasis.

To give impact to a sentence.

To create suspense.

To create urgency.

To create informality.

How to answer:

1. State that minor sentence is being used, and quote the sentence.

2. Explain the effect of the minor sentence in relation to the passage.

Questions

1. Explain how the length of this sentence adds to its effectiveness (2).

For hours and hours we plodded through the streets, mile after mile, our feet aching and our heads pounding with every weary step we took, until at last, after what seemed like an eternity and with our strength all but exhausted, we reached the hotel.

The author uses a long sentence.

The long sentence contains a lot of pauses which emphasises the length and boredom of the journey to the hotel.

2. Comment on the effectiveness of the final sentence (2)When I got home that night it was already

after eight, so I was pretty tired. All I wanted to do was have a bath and go to bed, but my as soon as I entered the house I sensed something was wrong and knew that I could forget my plans for an early night. There was a pile of CDs lying on the floor in the hall and doors that were normally closed during the day were wide open. Walking into the living room and switching on the light only confirmed what I already knew. I’d been burgled.

The author has used a short sentence.

The abruptness/bluntness of the final sentence adds to the shock of what the speaker sees when he switches on the light to find that he has been burgled.

 

3. Name the 3 different forms of punctuation used in the passage and comment on their effect.

Jamie Millar walked in – the new boy in the year – and sat next to Jason Black. He was really fit. This was a disaster – Jason was the biggest geek in the whole school. He looked a sight: his orange curly hair; his big thick glasses; his snotty, crusty nose. They were never going to get on.

“Miss, should I loan Jamie a –”“I’ve got one.” Jamie glared at Jason as he

pulled a pen out of his denim jacket pocket.

Parenthesis with dashes used to add extra information about the boy Jamie Millar, informing the reader that he has only just joined the school.

Single dash used to inform the reader that this pairing would not work because Jason was not popular in the school. He was a completely opposite character compared to Jamie.

Colon used to introduce a list of all the awful appearance factors relating to Jason.