 Objective: Analyze how authors use syntax and diction to create certain effects.  Essential Question: How does syntax and diction contribute to an author’s voice and tone?

 Syntax analysis is the analysis of sentence construction.  You are looking at the grammatical structure of the sentences.

 Does the sentence length fit the subject matter?  Is there a variety of sentence lengths?  Are the sentences: ◦ Telegraphic: shorter than five words ◦ Short: five to ten words ◦ Medium: 15 to 20 words ◦ Long: 21 words or more

 Is there good variety in sentence beginnings?  Does a pattern emerge? Example: “My Name” : Several sentences started with the same word.

 Are words set out in a special way for a purpose or effect? Example: The character Yoda starts his sentences with the verb. “Judge me by my size do you?” What is the effect of starting with the verb?

 Cumulative Sentences  Periodic Sentences  Natural Order Sentences: Subject/Predicate  Parallel Structure: Similar Structure ◦ Example: In the winter, I usually like skiing and skating.

 Four Basic Structures: ◦ Simple Sentence ◦ Compound Sentence ◦ Complex Sentence ◦ Compound-complex Sentence  Four Basic sentence Types: ◦ Declarative: Makes a statement. ◦ Imperative: Gives a command. ◦ Interrogative: Asks a question. ◦ Exclamatory: Makes an exclamation.

 High or Formal: Dignified, elevated, and perhaps impersonal. Elaborate, or sophisticated vocabulary.  Middle or Neutral: Follows rules of grammar and uses common, unexceptional vocabulary.  Low or Informal: Plain language of everyday use, including slang, jargon, vulgarity, and dialect.

 Denotative or Literal Language: Exact Journalistic Straightforward  Connotative or Figurative Language: Poetic Lyrical Symbolic Metaphoric Obscure Sensuous Grotesque Picturesque

 Sit back for a moment and ask yourself what purpose the word choice appears to be fulfilling.  For example, you can always say that it sets a tone—just make sure you have some words ready to describe that tone.  Also consider whether the word choice is having an effect on character, symbol/theme, setting, etc.

 Onomatopoeia: words that imitate sounds.  Assonance: words that share the same vowel sounds.  Rhyme: words that share the same sounds.  Consonance: words that share the same consonant sounds.  Anaphora: repetition of words at the beginnings of sentences.  Alliteration: the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (Example: stem and stern)

Literary TermEffects Long, run-on sentencesAdd details, confusion AlliterationPacing, Memorization AnaphoraMemorization, Important Facts Telegraphic SentencesFear, urgency Periodic SentencesSuspense Fragments: “There.”To gain the reader’s interest, to connect with the reader

 When you analyze a piece of writing for diction and syntax, you must look at the word choice and the arrangement of the words. Ask your self the following questions.  “Why did the author use __________?”  “What is the effect of using ____________?”

 Write your questions for your notes.  Write a summary for your notes.  Remember the EQ and objective.