Credit Close Reading
Sentence Structure
Sentence Structure
Some of the most poorly answered questions in Close
Reading are the ones which ask you to look at the
writer‟s sentence structure and to comment on the
effect that the writer is trying to create.
What To Look For
Although it may seem daunting, you can answer all
sentence structure questions by using the same
process every time. This can be split down into four
separate parts which you should consider:
1)
Sentence Length
2)
Punctuation
3)
Function of the Sentence
4)
Any other stand-out features
Sentence Length
Consider whether the writer has used a long or a
short sentence what the effect is.
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Long Sentences can be used to…
Create a list of something
Show lots of ideas jumbling around in someone‟s
head
Show confusion
Short Sentences can be used to…
Show that someone is angry
Indicate that something has happened suddenly
Emphasise an idea
Make it stand out? (Remember to say why the
writer would want it to stand out)
Punctuation
The next thing to consider is whether there is any
particular punctuation mark on which you could
comment, for example, colon, semi-colon, comma,
brackets etc
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Remember…
Multiple commas might create a list
Brackets or dashes (parenthesis) may be used so
that the writer can add additional information or
make a comment, perhaps for humour or criticism
Semi-colons balance out related statements/clauses
in a sentence or are used instead of commas for
lengthy/complex items in lists
Punctuation
If you still don‟t know your commas from your semicolons, visit the school website, which can also be
accessed from home, and click on the English Section
of the Learning Zone.
Within the Standard Grade section you will find a link
entitled „Punctuation Marks‟ (funnily enough!). Use
this for revision.
www.calderside.s-lanark.sch.uk
Function of the Sentence
It is also useful to try to decided what kind of
sentence is being used and why.
• A statement – indicated by a full stop.
• An exclamation – indicated by an exclamation mark.
• A command – indicated by a full stop or an
exclamation mark.
• A question / rhetorical question– indicated by a
question mark.
These different kinds of sentences can be used by a
writer in order to get a point across, involve the
reader, or create a particular effect. Remember
though, you must say what the effect is.
Any other stand-out features
Finally, look at the sentence you have been directed
to and try to decide if there is anything about it that
you would consider to be out of the ordinary. This
seems like a simple thing to say, but many people do
not comment on obvious features such as repetition,
inverted sentences or use of rhetorical questions.
The key is to spot these, and explain why you think
the writer has chosen to use these features.
Have a go at the examples on the following slides.
“Strathspeld is everywhere white.”
a) What is unusual about the structure of this opening
part of the sentence?
b) What effect does this create?
How would you answer?
Looking at this sentence you can see that it the word
order is unusual. We would not expect the place name
to come first here. We would expect this to read:
“Everywhere is white in Strathspeld” or
“White is everywhere in Strathspeld”.
So, we know that the word order is inverted, but what
it the effect of this? Because the word order is
unusual, the writer is clearly trying to emphasise one
or more of the words. Here, he is emphasising the
words, “White” or “everywhere” to give the
impression of the blanket coverage of the snow.
“Strathspeld is everywhere white.”
a) What is unusual about the structure of this
opening part of the sentence?
b) What effect does this create?
Sample answer:
a) The word order is inverted as we would not
expect the sentence to read with the place name
first.
b) It emphasises the words “white” and
“everywhere” to show just how much snow had
fallen.
“The road…tapered to infinity…”
Explain how the structure of the second sentence in
Paragraph 3 helps to make the meaning of this
expression clear.
“The road ahead tapered to infinity, in stages. Hill led
to hill led to hill, and at each summit the road
abruptly shrank to half its width, then half its width
again, until it became a hairline crack in the land, then
a faint wobble in the haze, then nothing.”
Answer
The word tapered means to get narrower (1)
The long sentence split by commas creates a list (1),
allowing the writer to describe the scene in stages from
where he is standing until it is out of sight or has
„tapered‟ away (1).
In your opinion, what does the sentence structure in
paragraph 4 reveal about the writer‟s feelings
towards Twitter? (2 marks)
I am already stressed about the multitude of
decisions it will pose: do I really need this space? Is
this question mark important? I would have to
discipline myself. No hyphenating. Where‟s the fun in
that?
Answer
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List of questions/rhetorical questions (1)
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Show her lack of knowledge/show
confusion/uncertainty (1)
So…
Her use of rhetorical questions reveals her confusion
or lack of understanding when it comes to Twitter.
Why does the writer use a series of questions in
Paragraph 9?
The dodo wasn‟t a fat, squat creature; it was lean and
upright. Indeed, the earliest images, drawn from life,
show a scrawny bird, its hooked bill making its
appearance quite aggressive. The later you go, the
fatter and sillier it becomes. There are many other
mysteries to solve. Why was it flightless? Why did it
live on Mauritius and nowhere else? How did it get
there? Finding out takes us right back to the 17th
century.
Answer
The writer uses a list of questions to involve the
reader (1) or to highlight the lack of knowledge
surrounding the dodo (1) or to pose questions which
will then be answered (1)
“It was the reek of rotting flesh…fear.”
Explain fully how the writer emphasises the smell
from the stranger through sentence structure.
He was breathing heavily, and the smell was
inconceivably foul; it was the reek of rotting flesh, of
festering wounds, of ancient perspiration, and of
fear.
Answer
Use of list/repetition (of phrases) (1) + explanation
e.g. reference to cumulative effect/variety of
smells/climactic effect (1)
So…
The use of commas creates a list which has the
effect of emphasising the variety of disgusting smells
coming from the man.
Or…
Repetition of “of” is used to build up a sense of the
many different horrible smells coming from the man.