2. This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.

3. Syntax How sentences are built “Word order”

4. Syntax: Part 1 1.Punctuation, creation of stops and pauses 2.Repetition 3.Sentence length, sentence variety

5. Syntax: Part 2 4. Subject-verb arrangement, clause arrangement and sentence construction.

6. Simple, Declarative Sentences This is true. It is time. There is no other way to say this. Our irresponsible behavior must cease.

7. Inversion/Inverted Sentences Standard We will overcome poverty, we will overcome violence, and we will never be afraid to speak out against injustice. Inverted Poverty we will overcome, violence we will overcome, and never will we be afraid to speak out against injustice.

8. Periodic Sentence Leaves the independent clause to the end of the sentence. Delays the main idea—why? When I am too sad and too skinny to keep keeping, when I am a tiny thing against so many bricks, then it is I look at trees.

9. Cumulative Sentence Begins with the independent clause, then adds a series of modifications, qualifications and details. Extends the sentence—why? I slowed still more, my shadow pacing me, dragging its head through the weeds that hid the fence.

10. Name it! When analyzing syntax, name what you’re talking about: 1.A specific punctuation mark creating a pause or stop. 2.Repetition of a word, phrase or construction. 3.Long sentences, short sentences, variety of the two 4.Declarative sentences 5.Inversion/Inverted sentence(s) 6.Periodic sentence 7.Cumulative sentence 8.Others: Rhetorical Questions, Alliteration, Juxtaposition

11. Pro Tips Rhetorical questions “confront the reader.” “Flows”

12. Words to Describe Syntax Terse Mellifluous, Lyrical (pretty, poetic) Complex Choppy Varied Balanced Elliptical Direct