Varying Sentence Structures

Simple Sentence One independent clause – it can stand alone. Can be appropriate for varying sentence length within a paragraph. Can be used to create a blunt or ironic tone; startling when used after a string of complex sentences. Can be very effective as stand alone paragraphs. Example: The dog ran.

Complex Sentences Contains an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Example: Since the AP students were prepared, they did very well on their exams.

Compound Sentence Contains two independent clauses (two stand alone sentences) joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction Coordinating conjunctions: FANBOYS For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So Example: The AP students were prepared, so they did very well on their exams.

Compound-Complex Contains two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses Example: Since they had read and studied, the AP students were prepared, so they did very well on their exams.

Loose Sentence Main idea comes first, followed by independent clause (which would be a complete sentence by itself) Informal and conversational in tone Example: Due to snowy conditions, the principal announced an early release, and students were jubilant, high-fiving, shouting about sleds and video games, wishing the clock would go faster.

Periodic Sentence Presents central meaning in main clause at end preceded by phrase or clause that cannot stand alone Stronger than a loose sentence Example: That morning, after a longer than normal bus ride on icy roads, we made it safely to school. Ecstatic with my AP score, I let out a loud, joyful shout.

Balanced Sentence Features two similar elements that balance each other (similar to parallel structure) Example: The students reveled in the snow day; the teachers reveled in the student-less day.

Asyndeton Omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses to create an emphatic tone and unpremeditated “multiplicity” Because the phrases run directly into each other without conjunctions to break them up, it creates a sense of “stream of consciousness,” as if the writer is thinking them up as he goes instead of purposefully crafting a sense of urgency or creativity Example: This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely…

Polysyndeton Figure of addition and emphasis which intentionally employs a series of conjunctions to build up effect and energy Example: They read and studied and wrote and drilled. I laughed and talked and flunked.

Epistrophe Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses or sentences with the same word or words Example: What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us.

Antimetabole The repetition of words in successive clauses in reverse grammatical order Example: One should eat to live, not live to eat.

Isocolon Parallel elements that are similar in structure and length Example: … to impress the ignorant, to perplex the dubious, and to confound the scrupulous.

Anadiplosis Repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause Example: Men in great place are thrice servants: servants of the sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of business.

Anaphora The same expression (word or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences Example: We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills…