syntax

T. Barter, L. Nguyen, L. Navarro, A. Norimatsu, A. Varma - Period 5

Syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate the two by thinking of syntax as referring to groups of words, while diction refers to individual words. In the multiple-choice section of the AP language exam, epxect to be asked some questions about how an author manupulates syntax. In the essay section, you will need to analyze how syntax produces effects. When you are analyzing syntax, consider such elements as the length of brevity of sentences, unusual sentence constructions, the sentence patterns used, and the kinds of sentences the author uses. The writer may use questions, declarations, exclamation, or rhetorical questions; sentences are also classifdied as periodic or loose, simple, compound, or complex sentences. Syntax can be tricky for students to analyze. First try to classify what kind of sentences the author uses, and then try to determine how the author's choices amplify meaning, in other words why they work well for the author's purpose.

1. Linguistics. a. the study of the rules for the formation of grammatical sentences in a language. b. the study of the patterns of formation of sentences and phrases from words. c. the rules or patterns so studied: English syntax. d. a presentation of these: a syntax of English. e. an instance of these: the syntax of a sentence.

Taken From: www.Dictionary.com

Examples: