Syntax
Sentence Patterns
Organizational Structure
Beast (Name that) Mode
Stop, Grammar Time
100
the four primary sentence functions or "types"
What are declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory?
100
Sentences that are characterized by parallel clauses that have the same or similar grammatical structure and approximate same length.
What are balanced sentences?
100
An author will use this mode to explore the reasons and results of a particular subject or issue. This type of organization can follow the pattern that "because something is true, it logically follows that another thing is also true." Look for words like "because," "then," "since," "as a result."
What is cause and effect?
100
"Until Clovis united the Frankish tribes under his leadership, the Franks were divided into two major groups, the Salians and the Ripuarians. The Salian Franks lived along the northern Rhine River, while the Ripuarian Franks lived along the southern Rhine."—World History: Continuity and Change
What is classification?
100
McCandless did not hate people he hated society as a whole.
What is a run-on sentence?
200
four types of sentence structures as determined by clauses
What are simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex?
200
Sentences that begin with the subject and then the predicate along with their modifiers.
What are loose sentences? (or cumulative)
200
This mode involves juxtaposing the similarities and differences of a subject or multiple subjects. It can be used to show how viewpoints or opinions are related or different from one another. Look for words like "best," "more," "better," "less," "worse," "easier," "than."
What is comparison and contrast?
200
"A man that is young in years may be old in hours, if he have lost no time. But that happeneth rarely. Generally, youth is like the first cogitations, not so wise as the second. For there is a youth in thoughts as well as in ages. And yet the invention of young men is more lively than that of old, and imaginations stream into their minds better, and as it were more divinely."—Francis Bacon, "Of Youth and Age"
What is comparison/contrast?
200
The wild was cold and unfriendly, it would not help those who would not help themselves.
What is a comma splice?
300
compound sentences use this kind of syntactical structure
What is coordination?
300
Sentences where the main subject and verb come after introductory subordinate clauses and phrases
What are periodic sentences?
300
The mode involves separating a complex topic into smaller elements or parts so that the pieces, as well as the whole, can be more easily understood. It involves analyzing types, kinds, components, and categories. Look for the author to state the exact number of categories, such as three groups, four divisions, five elements, six levels.
What is classification and division?
300
A cold chill washed over me as I entered the dark cellar, and an old and sour odor immediately greeted my nostrils. Moonlight drifted through a lone window, allowing me to make out a pile of moldy wood in the corner. Other than that, the room appeared to be empty.
What is description?
300
Throughout his travels he met new people, he never was truly alone until his time spent in Alaska.
What is comma splice and missing comma?
400
complex sentences use this kind of syntactical structure
What is subordination?
400
a rhetorical technique in which words, phrases, or ideas are intentionally contrasted, usually through the use of parallel structure; also known as the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas.
What is antithesis?
400
This mode is used in expository or argument essays to develop or emphasize the topic or subject that is being discussed. An anecdote is a common form of this mode in an expository essay.
What is narration?
400
"Sensory deprivation causes certain standard symptoms in adults. After deprivation, adults have problems thinking clearly and find it difficult to count beyond 20 or 30. By the end of sensory deprivation experiments, subjects begin to hallucinate. Humans and other animals seem to need a basic level of stimulation; when it does not exist, the mind creates its own stimulation."—Psychology
What is cause-effect?
400
McCandless did not tell his family his plans, and died on his journey.
What is unnecessary comma?
500
The following sentence uses this kind of syntactical structure: Sophie is a pure-bred German Shepherd, and Gryffon is a mixed-breed.
What is coordination?
500
The following is this kind of sentence: "Most of the Great American Desert is made up of bare rock, rugged cliffs, mesas, canyons, mountains, separated from one another by broad flat basins covered with sun-baked mud and alkali, supporting a sparse and measured growth of sagebrush or creosote or saltbrush, depending on location and elevation."—Edward Abbey
What is a loose sentence? or cumulative
500
An author will use this mode to define a complex term or concept. The explanation or answer is often stated and expanded with examples and restatements. Look for words in bold type or italics that may emphasize unfamiliar words.
What is definition?
500
"Closely related to communism is socialism, an economic system in which the government owns and operates basic industries—postal service, telephone, utilities, transportation, health care, banking, and some manufacturing—but individuals own most businesses. Central planning determines what basic goods and services are produced, how they are produced, and how they are distributed. Individuals and small businesses provide other goods and services based on consumer demand and the availability of resources."—Business: A Changing World
What is definition?
500
When he encountered people along his journey, and they tried to help him or warn him, he made the decision to not accept their assistance and to ignore them.
What is a split infinitive?
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