Transcript When analyzing syntax, look for

Syntax Notes
Analysis of Sentence Structure
When analyzing syntax, look for:
• Sentence length
– Telegraphic: shorter than 5 words
– Short: 5-10 words
– Medium: 15-20 words
– Long: 30 words or more
• Sentence beginnings
– Is there a good variety, or does a
pattern emerge?
When analyzing syntax, look for:
• Word order
– Are words in a specific order for a
purpose or added effect?
• Arrangement of Ideas
– Are ideas in a specific order for a
purpose or added effect?
Syntactical Terms
Restatement
• Definition:
– Repeating an idea in a variety of
ways
• Purpose:
– To reinforce an idea
• Example:
– “We will never give up; we will never
surrender, we will never be
defeated.”
Repetition
• Definition:
– Repeating an idea using the same
words
• Purpose:
– To create a memorable, powerful
effect and reinforce an idea.
• Example:
– “We will never give up; we will never
surrender, we will never be
defeated.”
Parallelism
• Definition:
– Repetition of a grammatical
structure or an arrangement of words
• Purpose:
– To create rhythm and make words
more memorable
• Bad Example (not parallel):
– She revels in chocolate, walking under
the moonlight, and songs from the
1930s jazz period.
• Good parallelism:
– She revels in sweet chocolate eclairs,
long moonlit walks, and classic jazz
music.
– "sweet chocolate eclairs,"
[Adjective--Adjective--Object]
– "long moonlit walks,"
[Adjective--Adjective--Object]
– "and classic jazz music."
[Adjective--Adjective--Object]
Rhetorical Question
• Definition:
– Asking a question whose answer is selfevident
• Purpose:
– To provoke the reader to respond or to
think
– To lead a reader to the next idea
• Example:
– "Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call
what they do 'practice'?“ (George Carlin)
Rhetorical Practice
Independence Day Speech
http://youtu.be/B9iWheRuka0
In less than an hour, aircraft from here will
join others from around the world. And you
will be launching the largest aerial battle in
this history of mankind.
Mankind -- that word should have new
meaning for all of us today. We can't be
consumed by our petty differences
anymore. We will be united in our common
interests.
Perhaps its fate that today is the 4th of July,
and you will once again be fighting for our
freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or
persecution -- but from annihilation. We're
fighting for our right to live, to exist.
And should we win the day, the 4th of July will
no longer be known as an American holiday,
but as the day when the world declared in
one voice: "We will not go quietly into the
night! We will not vanish without a fight! We're
going to live on! We're going to survive!"
Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!
Syntax Practice:
Gettysburg
Address
Complete in your groups.