Sentence LevelingSentence Levelinga realistic approach toa realistic approach to

Syntax AnalysisSyntax Analysis

The Nature of the SentenceThe Nature of the Sentence

Deep structuresDeep structures – meaning always stays the – meaning always stays the samesame

Surface structuresSurface structures – form changes – form changesI don’t knowI don’t knowI know notI know notDon’t I know?Don’t I know?

Transforms emphasisTransforms emphasisColumbus discovered AmericaColumbus discovered AmericaAmerica was discovered by ColumbusAmerica was discovered by Columbus

Thought UnitsThought Units

We don’t think in words; we think in ideasWe don’t think in words; we think in ideas

• Thoughts came before wordsThoughts came before words

• 1 simple sentence is 1 complete thought1 simple sentence is 1 complete thought

• Sentences are developed when thoughts Sentences are developed when thoughts are combinedare combined

Sentence CombiningSentence Combining

Thought Units are the deeper structuresThought Units are the deeper structures

Several are combined using FANBOYSSeveral are combined using FANBOYS

Create more complex sentencesCreate more complex sentences

I eat chicken,I eat chicken,

but I hate fish,but I hate fish,

and obese cats smell funny.and obese cats smell funny.

Sentence Sentence LevelingLeveling

Obverse of Sentence CombiningObverse of Sentence Combining

• Starts with a completed sentenceStarts with a completed sentence

• Separates it into thought unitsSeparates it into thought units I eat chicken,I eat chicken,but I hate fishbut I hate fishand obese cats smell funnyand obese cats smell funny

Syntax AnalysisSyntax Analysis

Look for emphasisLook for emphasis

• What is the subject now (America was What is the subject now (America was discovered)discovered)

• Addition of phrases and clausesAddition of phrases and clauses

• Complexity of thought!Complexity of thought!

Improve Your WritingImprove Your Writing

• Add sentence varietyAdd sentence variety

• Steal from professionalsSteal from professionals

• Determine what is worthy of emphasisDetermine what is worthy of emphasis

Leveling!Leveling!

New Thought Units Shown by…New Thought Units Shown by…

• PunctuationPunctuation

• VerbsVerbs

• Conjunctions (FANBOYS)Conjunctions (FANBOYS)

How to Display LevelsHow to Display Levels

Written in order of occurrence = as it Written in order of occurrence = as it happens in the sentencehappens in the sentence

Level 1 = main clauseLevel 1 = main clauseLevel 2 = modifies level 1Level 2 = modifies level 1

Level 3 = modifies level 2Level 3 = modifies level 2

Notice the INDENT!Notice the INDENT!

Subordinate and Subordinate and CoordinateCoordinate

Subordinate = works FOR someone elseSubordinate = works FOR someone else

• Level 2 is subordinate to level 1Level 2 is subordinate to level 1

• Level 3 is subordinate to level 2Level 3 is subordinate to level 2

• Etc.Etc.

Coordinate = works WITH someone elseCoordinate = works WITH someone else

• Level 1 is coordinate to level 1Level 1 is coordinate to level 1

• Same level? CoordinateSame level? Coordinate

3 Subordinates3 Subordinates

Final: Comes after the main clause Final: Comes after the main clause

I eat chicken in a dark cave.I eat chicken in a dark cave.

1.1. I eat chickenI eat chicken

2. in a dark cave2. in a dark cave

3 Subordinates3 Subordinates

Initial: Comes before the main clauseInitial: Comes before the main clause

In a dark cave, I eat chicken.In a dark cave, I eat chicken.

2. In a dark cave,2. In a dark cave,

1.1. I eat chickenI eat chicken

3 Subordinates3 Subordinates

Medial: interrupts the main clauseMedial: interrupts the main clause

I eat, in a dark cave, chicken.I eat, in a dark cave, chicken.

1.1. I eat ,/,chickenI eat ,/,chicken2. / in a dark cave2. / in a dark cave

Sentence 1Sentence 1After that we rode on in silence, the traces After that we rode on in silence, the traces

creaking, the hoofs of the horses creaking, the hoofs of the horses clumping steadily in the soft sand, the clumping steadily in the soft sand, the grasshoppers shrilling from the fields and grasshoppers shrilling from the fields and the cicadas from the trees overhead. the cicadas from the trees overhead.

Option 1Option 1

1.1. After that we rode on in silence, After that we rode on in silence, 2. the traces creaking, 2. the traces creaking,

2. the hoofs of the horses clumping 2. the hoofs of the horses clumping steadily in the soft sand, steadily in the soft sand,

2. the grasshoppers shrilling from 2. the grasshoppers shrilling from the fields the fields

2. and the cicadas from the trees 2. and the cicadas from the trees overhead.overhead.

Option 2 Option 2 (prepositional phrases (prepositional phrases removed)removed)

1.1. After that we rode on in silence, After that we rode on in silence, 2. the traces creaking, 2. the traces creaking,

2.2. the hoofs of the horses clumping steadily the hoofs of the horses clumping steadily 3. in the soft sand, 3. in the soft sand,

2. the grasshoppers shrilling 2. the grasshoppers shrilling 3. from the fields 3. from the fields

2. and the cicadas 2. and the cicadas

3. from the trees overhead.3. from the trees overhead.

Sentence 2Sentence 2

He was forty, a short, thickset man with a He was forty, a short, thickset man with a wealth of stiff, black hair, combed straight wealth of stiff, black hair, combed straight back without a parting, like Hulk Hogan. back without a parting, like Hulk Hogan.

Option 1Option 1

1.1. He was forty, He was forty,

2. a short, thickset man with a wealth of stiff, 2. a short, thickset man with a wealth of stiff, black hair, black hair,

3. combed straight back without a parting, 3. combed straight back without a parting,

4. like Hulk Hogan. 4. like Hulk Hogan.

Option 2Option 2

1.1. He was forty, He was forty,

2.2. a short, thickset man a short, thickset man

3. with a wealth of stiff, black hair, 3. with a wealth of stiff, black hair,

4. combed straight back 4. combed straight back

4. without a parting, 4. without a parting,

5. like Hulk Hogan. 5. like Hulk Hogan.

Sentence 3Sentence 3

There was only one defender now, coming There was only one defender now, coming warily at him, his arms crooked, hands warily at him, his arms crooked, hands spread. spread.

Answer:Answer:

1.1. There was only one defender now, There was only one defender now,

2. coming warily at him, 2. coming warily at him,

3. his arms crooked, 3. his arms crooked,

3. hands spread. 3. hands spread.