ANALYZING SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Style Analysis
I. Introduction
Sentence structure, phrasing, and syntax all refer to the way an author
crafts his sentences. Sentence structure deals with patterns and types of
sentences, while phrasing refers to the way which words are grouped.
Syntax is the arrangement of words in phrases or sentences.
In order to analyze sentences, you must be able to identify phrases and
kinds of sentences.
PHRASES- a group of words that have no subject and verb of their
own. The phrases are underlined here:
Example- Shreve was coming up the walk, shambling, fatly earnest, his
glasses glinting beneath the running leaves like little pools.
TYPES OF SENTENCES
1. SIMPLE- contains an independent clause
Example- Shreve was coming up the walk.
2. COMPOUND- contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, and sometimes so and yet)
Examples- Shreve was fatly earnest, and he came shambling up the walk.
His glasses were glinting beneath the running leaves, so they were little
pools.
3. COMPLEX- has an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
(underlined)
Example- While Shreve came shambling up the walk, his glasses were
glinting beneath the running leaves.
4. COMPOUND-COMPLEX- has two or more independent clauses and at least
one dependent clause (underlined)
Example- Shreve was fatly earnest, and while he came shambling up the
walk, his glasses were glinting beneath the running leaves.
5. PERIODIC- modifiers are placed before the main clause
Example- Shambling, fatly earnest, his glasses glinting beneath the
running leaves like little pools, Shreve was coming up the walk.
6. CUMULATIVE- the main clause is first, then modifiers follow
Example- Shreve was coming up the walk, shambling, fatly earnest, his
glasses glinting beneath the running leaves like little pools, (the original
sentence by William Faulkner, The Soundand the Fury)
Writers use different types of sentence structures for specific reasons. In
most writing, varied sentence structures keep the reader interested. For
example, all simple sentences or all compound-complex sentences would be
too monotonous.
Simple sentences are often used in narration (telling a story). They add
directness and are characteristic of spoken English, or colloquial language.
Simple sentences can also be effective in speeding up time or giving a sense
of immediacy or drama.
On the other hand, more involved sentence structures like compoundcomplex can demonstrate the seriousness and the formality of a writer's
subject. Formal speeches or documents, like the "Gettysburg Address" of
the "Declaration of Independence" contain involved sentence structures.
II. Practice
Now that you have read about different sentence structures, it is time to
practice. Several "kernel" sentences, all simple sentences, follow. Your task
is to rearrange the sentences to fit each of the various structures. It is not
necessary for you to use each kernel in every sentence.
Kernel Sentences:
a. Sam wanted a date for the prom.
b. All his buddies were going.
c. Sam was very shy.
d. Sam was afraid of being turned down.
1. COMPOUND (two independent clauses joined with a coordinating
conjunction)^ j
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Ntc/yyi f,oa^ 1^3, o^la^ br/P hcjo Ae u;a5 l/erg She
2. COMPLEX (one independent clause plus one or more dependent clauses)
3. COMPOUND-COMPLEX (two independent clauses and one dependent
clause)
4. PERIODIC (main clause last)
5. CUMULATIVE (main clause first)
III. Subordination, Coordination and Parallelism
Most sentences are arranged according to the importance that the author
places on the ideas. Ideas that are in lesser importance to others are
subordinated, while ideas that carry equal weight are coordinated. When
two or more coordinate elements have the same form, they have parallel
structure.
1. Subordination
(ideas of lesser importance are underlined)
Unless I study tonight. I will fail the test.
The test is history, which is my worst subject.
To subordinate, writers use subordinating conjunctions or relative
pronouns:
Subordinating Conjunctions
although
while
whereas when
Relative Pronouns
who
whose
so as
before
as if
whenever
which
whom
though
as
so that
unless
that whoever
as long as
since
until
after
what whichever
2. Coordination -ideas joined with the coordinating conjunctions
I will study tonight, and I will pass tomorrow.
3. Parallelism - equal ideas are stated in the same form and
grammatical function; parallelism shows ideas have equality
Examplesa. My parents taught me honesty, faith, fairness, and patience,
(nouns are parallel)
b. We became involved in the fortunes of the football team and
in the issues and personalities of student elections, (phrases
are parallel)
c. "I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed
the hungry. I want you to be able to say that I did try in my
life to clothe the naked. I want you to say on that day that I
did try in my life to visit those who were in prison." - Martin
Luther King (parallel sentences)
IV. Practice
Using the kernel sentences below, rearrange them to show subordination and
coordination.
—
a. Our patio and yard are shady.
b. It is difficult to grow plants without sun.
c. We plant impatiens in our window boxes.
1. SUBORDINATION (Use a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun)
2. COORDINATION (Use a coordinating conjunction)
3. The following sentences are not parallel. Rewrite ttem to show parallelism.
A. The children were laughing, squealing, and danced.
B. My two ambitions are to own my own business and having enough
money to give my children a good education.
C. Federal programs designed to help youngsters get jobs, keep them
off drugs, provide them with recreation, and to improve their
schooling are aimed at blacks, staffing by blacks, and the location
is in black neighborhoods.
As you can see, parallelism creates a balance of ideas. This structure is
usually used in serious, formal situations to reflect content that is complex.
V. Analyzing structure and syntax
1. Analyze the types of sentence structure that Churchill uses (look at page
one for help). Write below the types that you find:
2. In your opinion, why did Churchill write these kinds of sentences?
3. Now reread the passages and underline all examples of parallel structure
(page one) that you find.
4. Why do you think Churchill made extensive use of parallelism?
5. Write a thesis statement for the following essay question:
Analyze the relationship between Winston Churchill's purpose and his
sentence structure.
6. What support would you offer in order to prove your thesis?
The following speech by Winston Churchill demonstrates the link between
sentence structure and content.
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I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and
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if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove
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ourselves once again abJe to defend our island home, to ride out the storm of war,
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and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.
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At any rate, this is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His
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Majesty's Government- every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the
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nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause
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and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like
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good comrades to the utmost of their strength. Even though large tracts of Europe
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and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the
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Gestapo and all the odiousapparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We
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shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall
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fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing
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strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall
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fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the
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fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and
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even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were
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subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by
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the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, inGod's good time, the new
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world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of
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the old.