SENTENCE PATTERNS
The Art of Creating Engaging
Writing
Syntax:
 Definition:
the arrangement and
grammatical relation of words, phrases,
and clauses in sentences and the ordering
of words, phrases, clauses and sentences.
 Syntax
helps us to identify a writer’s style.
Declarative (strong, active verb):
 1.
Two problems perplexed the student.
 2. Washington offers the tourist two
unique spots of interest.
 3. Two strange sights startled Steve as
he emerged from the cave.
Interrogative (question):
 1.
What two places in the world would you
like most to visit?
 2. For what two reasons do little boys
enjoy stomping in mud puddles?
Exclamatory:
 1.
Two terrible things happened today!
 2. I absolutely will not ride that donkey!
Imperative (command):
 1.
Pass the salt, please.
 2. Don’t say a word about your actions.
Loose Sentence (main clause first;
subordinate clause/phrases follow)
 1.
The long, winding road with its leafless
trees suggested solitude and loneliness.
 2. The catcher waited patiently for the
pitcher to begin.
 3. The detective interviewed the witness
carefully.
Periodic sentence: (subordinate clauses
first; main clause closes the sentence).

1. Paralyzed by the neurotic lassitude
engendered by meeting one’s past at every turn,
around every corner, inside every cupboard, I go
aimlessly from room to room.
 2. By this rude bridge, their flag unfurled,…and
fired the shot heard around the world.
 3. After clearing out the furniture, covering the
carpet, and removing the pictures, I began
painting the large room.
Balanced or Parallel Sentence: (
two or
more words or constructions must be in the same grammatical form – infinitives, verbs,
gerunds, participles, prepositional phrases, clauses, etc.
 1.
)
To complain of the age we live in, to
murmur at the present possessors of
power, to lament the past, to conceive
extravagant hopes of the future, are the
common dispositions of the greatest part
of mankind.
 2. Teenagers who dance the frug or the
jerk are either wild or juvenile delinquents
or both.
Convoluted Structure: (main clause is
split in two; subordinate material is between)
 1.
Now demons, whatever else they may
be, are full of interest.
 2. The pizza delivery boy, no matter how
late, still expected a hefty tip.
 3. The talk-show host, whatever his own
opinions are, conducted an excellent
interview.
Centered Structure (main clause
occupies the middle; between subordinate
material)

1. Having wanted to walk on the sea like St.
Peter, he had taken an involuntary bath, losing
his dignity and the better part of his reputation.
 2. After digging a large hole, I planted the tree,
which was also large and hard to manage.
 3. Before he opened the mail, he answered the
phone, which had been ringing insistently.
Adverbial or Dependent Clause
Opener
 1.
As I shopped for groceries, I found
three ways to save money.
 2. When I was younger, I liked simple
foods.
Verb Before Subject or Inverted
Word Order:
 1.
Beside the houses grew two large
maple trees.
 2. Along the boulevard sped two sleek,
fast cars.
Appositive (a noun, pronoun, or
phrase that renames, identifies, or
explain another noun or pronoun
next to it):
 1.
London, the English city on the
Thames, offers many tourist attractions.
 2. Tuscan combines two cultures: the
Spanish/Indian and the American West.
Rhetorical Question:
1. Wasn’t the cult of James a revealing symbol,
a symbol of an age and society which wanted to
dwell like him in some false world of false art
and false cultures? From “Henry James and His
Cult” by Maxwell Geismar.
 2. A good student-body is perhaps the most
important factor in a great university. How can
you possibly make good wine from poor grapes?

Anaphora – (repetition of the same word or group
of words at the beginnings of successive sentences)
 1.
The Lord sitteth above the water floods.
The Lord remaineth a King forever. The
Lord shall give strength unto his people.
The Lord shall give his people the blessing
of peace. From Psalm 29
 2. It is a luxury, it is a privilege, it is an
indulgence for those who are at their ease.
From “Letter to a Noble Lord,” 1796 by
Edmund Burke
Anadiplosis- (Repetition of the last word of
one clause at the beginning of the following
clause).
 1.
Labor and care are rewarded with
success, success produces confidence,
confidence relaxes industry, and
negligence ruins the reputation which
diligence had raised.
 2. The crime was common, common be
the pain.
Epistrophe: (Repetition of the same word or
group of words at the ends of successive clauses)
 1.
Shylock: I’ll have my bond! Speak not
against my bond! I have sworn an oath
that I will have my bond! The Merchant of
Venice
 2. We cannot learn from one another until
we stop shouting at one another. From
Inaugural Address by Richard Nixon
Paradox:
(an apparently contradictory
statement that nevertheless contains a measure of
truth)
 1.
Art is a form of lying in order to tell the
truth. – Pablo Picasso
 2. Water, water everywhere but not a drop
to drink.
Assignment:
 1.
Analyze your style of writing. What
patterns do you use the most?
 2. What patterns can you add to make
your writing more interesting?
 Revisit a former piece of writing (informal,
mini- essay or critique). Recompose your
writing, incorporating four new structures
(patterns). Underline the new patterns
used.