Syntactic devices

Syntax studies.

1. EmphasisEmphasis
By Lauren Benson, David Donohue, By Lauren Benson, David Donohue,
Lakinya Francis, and Corey ReevesLakinya Francis, and Corey Reeves

2. Understanding How Sentences EndUnderstanding How Sentences End

By writing sentences correctly writers are able to increase By writing sentences correctly writers are able to increase
comprehension, clarity, and reading easy.comprehension, clarity, and reading easy.

Readers prefer that a sentence is ended when difficult ideas are Readers prefer that a sentence is ended when difficult ideas are
presented.presented.

Difficult ideas include long and complex phrases and clauses, Difficult ideas include long and complex phrases and clauses,
as well as new information or unfamiliar information.as well as new information or unfamiliar information.

It is important to be familiar with your audience and have an It is important to be familiar with your audience and have an
idea of their background knowledge.idea of their background knowledge.

One needs to ask themselves which of the words are common One needs to ask themselves which of the words are common
and what are the words that will need explaining.and what are the words that will need explaining.

3. Clarity in EmphasisClarity in Emphasis

Clarity and reading easy improve when Clarity and reading easy improve when
sentences begin with simple terms.sentences begin with simple terms.

This allows the writer to build up momentum This allows the writer to build up momentum
so that the more complicated material can so that the more complicated material can
follow.follow.

Complex grammar should be placed at the end Complex grammar should be placed at the end
of the sentence to increase comprehension.of the sentence to increase comprehension.

For example, compare the following.For example, compare the following.

4. Examples of ClarityExamples of Clarity

A sociometric and actuarial analysis of Social A sociometric and actuarial analysis of Social
Security revenues and disbursements for the last six Security revenues and disbursements for the last six
decades to determine changes in projecting deficits is decades to determine changes in projecting deficits is
the subject of this study.the subject of this study.

In the study, we analyze Social Security’s revenues In the study, we analyze Social Security’s revenues
and disbursements for the last six decades, using and disbursements for the last six decades, using
sociometric and actuarial criteria to determine sociometric and actuarial criteria to determine
changes in projecting deficits.changes in projecting deficits.

5. Which One is More Clear?Which One is More Clear?

Even though both sentences have the same Even though both sentences have the same
meaning and word choice, the second sentence meaning and word choice, the second sentence
is much easier to understand.is much easier to understand.

This is because the complex grammar is found This is because the complex grammar is found
at the end of the sentence.at the end of the sentence.

Complex grammar is only one of the Complex grammar is only one of the
complexities that should be placed at the end complexities that should be placed at the end
of the sentence.of the sentence.

6. Complex TermsComplex Terms

Complex terms are the second kind of Complex terms are the second kind of
complexity writers must be concerned with.complexity writers must be concerned with.

Similar to complex grammar, complex terms Similar to complex grammar, complex terms
should be placed at the end of the sentence should be placed at the end of the sentence

Consider the following.Consider the following.

7. Examples of ClarityExamples of Clarity

……and troponin make up the sacromere, the and troponin make up the sacromere, the
basic unit of muscle contraction. Its thick basic unit of muscle contraction. Its thick
filament is made up of..filament is made up of..

The basic unit of muscle contraction is the The basic unit of muscle contraction is the
sarcomere, which is made of troponin. It has sarcomere, which is made of troponin. It has
two filaments, one thick and one thin.two filaments, one thick and one thin.

The second sentence is much easier to read The second sentence is much easier to read
due to the complex terms being found at the due to the complex terms being found at the
end of the sentence.end of the sentence.

8. The Nuances of Emphasis and StressThe Nuances of Emphasis and Stress

When reading we assign stress to certain words similar to the When reading we assign stress to certain words similar to the
way we hear a speaker add stress to the words that he or she way we hear a speaker add stress to the words that he or she
hopes to emphasize.hopes to emphasize.

By effectively managing words writers are able to position By effectively managing words writers are able to position
stresses so that they are allowed to establish a tone throughout stresses so that they are allowed to establish a tone throughout
the writing. the writing.

Stresses are often found at the end of sentences.Stresses are often found at the end of sentences.

For this reason, ideas that are considered to be significant are For this reason, ideas that are considered to be significant are
placed at the end of the sentence.placed at the end of the sentence.

These ideas then are the climax of the sentence and draw in These ideas then are the climax of the sentence and draw in
the most attention.the most attention.

9. Six Syntactic Devices to Six Syntactic Devices to
Emphasize the Right Emphasize the Right
WordsWords

10. 1. Passiveness1. Passiveness

A passive verb lets you flip a subject and object.A passive verb lets you flip a subject and object.
For example:For example:
Active:Active:“Some sociobiologists claim that our genes “Some sociobiologists claim that our genes
influence influence aspects of our behavior…”aspects of our behavior…”
vs.vs.
Passive:Passive:“Some sociobiologists claim that aspects of “Some sociobiologists claim that aspects of
behavior that we think are learned are in fact behavior that we think are learned are in fact
influenced influenced by our genes.” by our genes.”

11. 2. There2. There

There is/ there are constructions let you shift a There is/ there are constructions let you shift a
phrase toward the end of a sentence.phrase toward the end of a sentence.

The use of “there is/are adds a delay and thus The use of “there is/are adds a delay and thus
emphasis to what follows in the sentence.emphasis to what follows in the sentence.
““English teachers stress grammar in their introductory classes.”English teachers stress grammar in their introductory classes.”
vs.vs.
““There areThere are English teachers that stress grammar in their English teachers that stress grammar in their
introductory classes.” introductory classes.”

12. 3. & 4. What-shifts and It-3. & 4. What-shifts and It-
shiftsshifts

The what-shift is a device that shifts part of the The what-shift is a device that shifts part of the
sentence to the right.sentence to the right.
““We need extra time in order to properly write this essay.”We need extra time in order to properly write this essay.”
vs.vs.
““WhatWhat we need is extra time in order to properly write this essay.” we need is extra time in order to properly write this essay.”

The It-shift is used when you have a long noun The It-shift is used when you have a long noun
clause. You can move the clause to the end of the clause. You can move the clause to the end of the
sentence and start with an sentence and start with an itit..
““To fight a war with no specific enemy once seemed impossible.”To fight a war with no specific enemy once seemed impossible.”
vs.vs.
“ “It It once seemed impossible to fight a war with no specific enemy.”once seemed impossible to fight a war with no specific enemy.”

13. 5. Not only X, but Y (also)5. Not only X, but Y (also)

Used to add emphasis to the whole sentence by Used to add emphasis to the whole sentence by
implying that X clause would be assumed sufficient implying that X clause would be assumed sufficient
but we’ve added a Y clause as well.but we’ve added a Y clause as well.
““We must read this chapter and paraphrase it for our We must read this chapter and paraphrase it for our
project.”project.”
vs.vs.
“ “ We must We must not onlynot only read this chapter, read this chapter, but alsobut also
paraphrase it for our project.”paraphrase it for our project.”

14. 6. Repeated Words and Pronoun 6. Repeated Words and Pronoun
SubstitutionSubstitution

This is important: To avoid sounding flat at the end This is important: To avoid sounding flat at the end
of a sentence, do not use the same word you used of a sentence, do not use the same word you used
earlier. Instead rewrite the sentence or use a pronoun earlier. Instead rewrite the sentence or use a pronoun
at the end of the sentence.at the end of the sentence.
““I started I started my papermy paper late because that was the late because that was the
only time I could fit in starting only time I could fit in starting my papermy paper.”.”
vs.vs.
““I started I started my papermy paper late because that was the late because that was the
only time I could fit only time I could fit it it in.in.

15. Diagnosis And RevisionDiagnosis And Revision
Three Three RevisionThree Three Revision

16. Trim the endTrim the end

Sociobiologists claim that our genes control Sociobiologists claim that our genes control
our social behavior our social behavior in the way we act in in the way we act in
situations we are in every day.situations we are in every day.

Since Since social behaviorsocial behavior means means the way we act in the way we act in
situations,situations, we drop everything after behavior. we drop everything after behavior.

Sociobiologists claim that our genes Sociobiologists claim that our genes control control
our social behaviorour social behavior..

17. Shift peripheral ideas to the leftShift peripheral ideas to the left

The data offered to prove ESP are too weak The data offered to prove ESP are too weak
for the most partfor the most part..

For the most partFor the most part, the offered to offered to , the offered to offered to
prove ESP are prove ESP are too weaktoo weak..

18. Avoid ending with anticlimactic Avoid ending with anticlimactic
metadiscoursemetadiscourse
Job opportunities in Job opportunities in
computer programming computer programming
are getting scarcer, are getting scarcer, it it
must be rememberedmust be remembered..

It must be It must be
rememberedremembered that job that job
opportunities in opportunities in
computer programming computer programming
are getting scarcer.are getting scarcer.

19. Shift new information to the Shift new information to the
rightright

A more common way to manage stress is by A more common way to manage stress is by
moving new information to the end of a moving new information to the end of a
sentence.sentence.

20. ExampleExample

Questions about the Questions about the
ethics of withdrawing ethics of withdrawing
intravenous feedingintravenous feeding
are are more difficultmore difficult. .
[[than something just than something just
mentioned].mentioned].

More difficultMore difficult [ [than than
just saying something]just saying something]
are are questions about the questions about the
ethics of withdrawing ethics of withdrawing
intravenous feedingintravenous feeding..

21. Emphasis Used to Develop Emphasis Used to Develop
Topics, Themes, and Topics, Themes, and
CoherenceCoherence

22. ThemesThemes
Theme developmentTheme development

The topic of the paper should be stated in the first sentence.The topic of the paper should be stated in the first sentence.
-Specifically near the end of the opening sentence; the words -Specifically near the end of the opening sentence; the words
leading to the statement of the theme create a micro-leading to the statement of the theme create a micro-
introduction.introduction.

Subsequent sentences should emphasize topics that reflect the Subsequent sentences should emphasize topics that reflect the
theme.theme.

This is achieved by using these topics either as subjects or This is achieved by using these topics either as subjects or
nouns in the supporting sentences of a paragraph.nouns in the supporting sentences of a paragraph.

A combination of the two clearly emphasizes the theme of the A combination of the two clearly emphasizes the theme of the
passage.passage.

23. Theme Development ExamplesTheme Development Examples

Page 101, example paragraph 1a.Page 101, example paragraph 1a.
IncorrectIncorrect

““Great strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of Great strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of
Alzheimer’s disease have been made in recent years.”Alzheimer’s disease have been made in recent years.”
-Alzheimer’s disease is emphasized by its position at -Alzheimer’s disease is emphasized by its position at
the end of the opening sentence, however, the theme the end of the opening sentence, however, the theme
of the passage is not Alzheimer’s disease.of the passage is not Alzheimer’s disease.

24. Theme Development ExamplesTheme Development Examples

Page 102, mid-page example sentence.Page 102, mid-page example sentence.
CorrectCorrect

““In recent years, though researchers have made great In recent years, though researchers have made great
strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of strides in the early and accurate diagnosis of
Alzheimer’s disease, those diagnoses have raised a Alzheimer’s disease, those diagnoses have raised a
new problem about informing those most at risk new problem about informing those most at risk
before they show symptoms of it.”before they show symptoms of it.”
-As you can see, this sentence emphasizes the risk of an -As you can see, this sentence emphasizes the risk of an
early diagnosis, which is the theme of the passage.early diagnosis, which is the theme of the passage.

25. CoherenceCoherence
Developing CoherenceDeveloping Coherence
--Begin with bluntly stated topicBegin with bluntly stated topic
-Use following sentences to develop and clarify various themes -Use following sentences to develop and clarify various themes
and ideas. and ideas.
-Some writers have a tendency to add “fluff” to their writing in -Some writers have a tendency to add “fluff” to their writing in
order to make it appear more advanced, however, such writing order to make it appear more advanced, however, such writing
has a tendency to eliminate emphasis, and thus cause the has a tendency to eliminate emphasis, and thus cause the
theme of the passage to become unclear.theme of the passage to become unclear.
-Using a, “This is how it is, now let me tell you why,” approach -Using a, “This is how it is, now let me tell you why,” approach
creates a very coherent paper because it eliminates any creates a very coherent paper because it eliminates any
ambiguity as to the meaning of the passage. ambiguity as to the meaning of the passage.

26. Coherence ExamplesCoherence Examples

Page 101, example paragraph 1a.Page 101, example paragraph 1a.
IncorrectIncorrect
-This passage is incoherent because the evidence is -This passage is incoherent because the evidence is
presented before the assertion.presented before the assertion.
-The reader is unclear as to the theme of the passage -The reader is unclear as to the theme of the passage
because it is stated later on.because it is stated later on.
-Providing evidence without having made an assertion -Providing evidence without having made an assertion
is the same thing as arguing for nothing, this makes is the same thing as arguing for nothing, this makes
any evidence presented by the writer useless to the any evidence presented by the writer useless to the
reader.reader.

27. Coherence ExamplesCoherence Examples

Page 102, example paragraph 1b.Page 102, example paragraph 1b.
CorrectCorrect
-This passage begins with a bluntly stated topic, and is -This passage begins with a bluntly stated topic, and is
followed by sentences that emphasize words that followed by sentences that emphasize words that
reflect the theme of the passage.reflect the theme of the passage.
-This allows the reader to focus on the theme of the -This allows the reader to focus on the theme of the
passage while the assertion is explained.passage while the assertion is explained.
-Subsequent sentences also provide evidence to support -Subsequent sentences also provide evidence to support
the initial assertion, thus creating a coherent the initial assertion, thus creating a coherent
paragraph.paragraph.

28. Topics, Themes, and CoherenceTopics, Themes, and Coherence

In order for an assertion to be well argued, it In order for an assertion to be well argued, it
must contain all of these constituents. must contain all of these constituents.

Topics of sentences are used to develop Topics of sentences are used to develop
themes, and themes are developed through the themes, and themes are developed through the
presentation of logical evidence.presentation of logical evidence.

If both topics and themes are developed If both topics and themes are developed
properly using emphasis, the paper will be properly using emphasis, the paper will be
coherent.coherent.

29. Ideas Regarding EmphasisIdeas Regarding Emphasis

Beginning and end shake hands with each Beginning and end shake hands with each
other.- German Proverbother.- German Proverb

All’s that well ends well.- ShakespeareAll’s that well ends well.- Shakespeare

In the end is my beginning.- T.S. EliotIn the end is my beginning.- T.S. Eliot