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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 1 What is Syntactic Permutation? • Sentence structures that are extraordinarily complex and involved. • Often difficult for a reader to follow. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 2 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 4 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 5 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) 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 6 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 7 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 8 What is a Complex-Compound Sentence? • Contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 9 Examples of CompoundComplex 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 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 10 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 12 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 13 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 14 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... 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 15 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 16 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 17 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) 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 18 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 . 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 19 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 20 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. 4/9/2015 copyright 2006 www.brainybetty.com; All Rights Reserved. 21