Syntax and Diction

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?

Objective and Essential Question

Syntax analysis is the analysis of sentence construction.

You are looking at the grammatical structure of the sentences.

Syntax Analysis

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

Syntax: Sentence Length

Is there good variety in sentence beginnings?

Does a pattern emerge?Example: “My Name” : Several sentences started with

the same word.

Syntax: Sentence Beginnings

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?

Syntax: Word Order

Cumulative Sentences Periodic Sentences Natural Order Sentences: Subject/Predicate

Parallel Structure: Similar Structure◦Example: In the winter, I usually like skiing and skating.

Syntax: Arrangement of Ideas

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.

Syntax: Sentence Classification

  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.

Diction: Levels of Formality

Denotative or Literal Language: Exact Journalistic Straightforward 

Connotative or Figurative Language: Poetic Lyrical Symbolic Metaphoric Obscure Sensuous Grotesque Picturesque

Diction: Literal and Figurative

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.

Diction: Purpose

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)

Diction: Figures of Speech

Effects: After we identify the diction and syntax, we must explain the effect and reason why the author used it.

Literary Term Effects

Long, run-on sentences Add details, confusion

Alliteration Pacing, Memorization

Anaphora Memorization, Important Facts

Telegraphic Sentences Fear, urgency

Periodic Sentences Suspense

Fragments: “There.” To gain the reader’s interest, to connect with the reader

Effects: This is only a few examples of effects.

Analysis Questions 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.

Cornell Notes