AP English 12
October 3, 2014
Quick Write
Remember you need to be writing the entire 5
minutes!
Years ago, in some cities, there were separate
public schools for boys and girls, especially at the
high school level. Boys went to one school and
girls went to an entirely different school nearby.
Do you think this is a beneficial idea? Take a stand.
Do you think it would be better if boys and girls
attend separate schools? For the next 5 minutes,
write an essay to persuade officials whether or not
they should separate boys and girls into different
schools again.
Quiz
Go to the following link below and complete
the quiz over “Syntax”.
goo.gl/1W9LSc
Class Discussion
• Syntax-the way a writer arranges words,
phrases, and clauses into a sentence.
• English is a language that demands the subject
first, the verb next, and the object last (SVO)
• Jeff (subject) smacked (verb) the ball (object).
• What if we said that the ball smacked Jeff? The
subject must be first; otherwise, our intent is
changed.
• Because our syntax is so rigid, the parts of
speech are easy to identify.
Class Discussion-Syntax
Ways to discuss syntax and describe sentence
patterns are:
• Simple, Declarative Sentencessubject/verb/object that is
straightforward.
Syntax Patterns
• Inverted Sentences-altering the
standard SVO word order in a
declarative sentence to call
attention to or emphasize
something, or to slow the pace.
Syntax Patterns
• Compound-Complex Sentences-a
combination of a compound
sentence and a complex sentence
and is usually fairly long. (and,
but, for, yet, so, after, before,
although, because, until, when,
while, if)
Syntax Patterns
• Periodic Sentences-begins with a
series of phrases or clauses in an
independent clause.
Syntax Patterns
• Cumulative Sentences-begin with
the main point and then add
modifications, qualifications, and
details.
Syntax Patterns
• Interrupted Sentences-a sentence
of any pattern modified by
interruptions that add descriptive
details, state conditions, suggest
uncertainty, voice possible
alternative views, or present
qualifications.
Syntax Patterns
• Enjambment-a poetic technique
in which one line ends without a
pause and must continue on to
the next line to complete its
meaning.
Class Discussion-Syntax
• Caesura-a pause within a line of
poetry, sometimes punctuated,
sometimes not, often mirroring
natural speech.
Class Activity
• With your table partner(s), complete
Exercise 3 on pg. 1322, practicing syntax.
Explain how Henry James’s syntactical
patterns contribute to the effect of the
prose passage from Daisy Miller.
Class Activity Discussion
• 1. Henry James starts his passage with a cumulative sentence
that is also complex, which conveys many ideas quickly and
efficiently. This sentence is also interrupted, to give us not
only the facts of the matter but Winterbourne’s impressions
as well.
• 2. The next sentences is an interrupted sentence, stressing the
fact that he just recently left Mrs. Walker’s house and so was
most likely surprised to see her so soon.
• 3. The second to last sentence is a declarative sentence that
efficiently conveys important information.
• 4. The last sentence is a quotation, simple and direct, that sets
the mood for what is to follow.
Independent Practice
By yourself, complete Exercise 6 on pg.
1323, practicing writing with syntax. This
WILL BE for a grade.
Write a brief narrative in the style of Henry
James that uses an event from your life as
inspiration. Pay special attention to
emulating James’s syntax.
Homework
• Using “To an Athlete Dying Young,” rewrite it
as a prose piece (without eliminating any
words). Compare your revision of the poem
to the original poem, analyzing how the
poet’s syntactical choices contribute to the
overall meaning.
Both the rewrite and the analysis are due next
class period (October 7)