Class notes (9/27-10/1)

Syntax

SVO (subject-verb-object) or SVC (subject-verb-complement) is the basic structure of a sentence.

Ex: Subject   -   verb   -   object

             I              ate      a sandwich

Two techniques can be used to change this structure, construction and length

• Construction: the order and punctuation of a sentence
• Length: length of sentences can be changed for different results

The sentence variety created by these techniques make different effects;

• Pace: the perception of the passing of time

• Tone: the emotion in the writing
• Emphasis/Attention: certain can be forced to the audience's attention or downplayed. Ex: in last weeks notes I used a short sentence “Study away.” to emphasize that we should be studying literary terms without using the “childish” exclamation point.

 Terms

• Coordinating conjunction: “F.A.N.B.O.Y.S” for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. The fanboys connect two independent thoughts that could be used separately. Ex: My family is putting in a new floor and I finished my AP English notes.
• Subordinating conjunction: one of the clauses in a subordinating conjunction is dependent on an independent thought. However, since, because, although, while. Ex: Since we don't have a dog, my sister has a pet care business called Divine Canine Care.
• More information on distinguishing the two at http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/coordinatingconjunction.htm
• Compound sentences: when a coordinating conjunction is used
• Complex sentences: when a subordinating conjunction is used
• Simple sentences: when neither is used. Ex: I ate a great sandwich.

  Clarity

-use “short active verbs”

-be careful to say what you mean

-some times the passive voice is the right choice, just don't over use it

-avoid nominalizations; “an action that is expressed as a noun” Ex: “an analysis was performed” without nominalization it should be “Dr. Radic performed an analysis”

 The Plain Style

-don't be afraid to be direct and plain, it helps your argument and clarity

-strip away “stuffiness”

-use strong verbs

 Concision

-resist the “Lure of wordiness”

-avoid “empty words”

-adverbs are often not helpful, just use stronger verbs

 Rhetoric

-diction: the first choice of the writer, even when meaning the same thing, words have different connotations

-parallelism: “any structure which brings together parallel elements”

-repetition: used to “hammer home an idea”

-tense: keep it consistent

-historical present: talk about texts in the present tense, not the past

-alliteration: two or more repeated syllables; use sparingly

-the rule of three: if you have flexibility, three is a good number

-humor:use sparingly

-first and second person: first person can be found used appropriately, but second person is more rare