How do I practise sentence classification with my SP HL class? Our Sentence Structure Activity — SP HL resource is a great tool to help your Senior Phase English HL learners practise sentence classification. The resource comprises two short exercises that can be printed for the learners to paste in their workbooks and completed as classwork or a homework activity. This Sentence Structure Activity — SP HL resource pairs well with our Sentence Classification: Clausal Structure — SP English resource. Both the Sentence Classification: Clausal Structure — SP English and the Sentence Structure Activity — SP HL resources can also be used to teach your Senior Phase First Additional Language (FAL) English classes about sentence structure.

2. Sentence Structure Questions
Writers utilise many features of sentence structure to create a
particular effect.
To do well at National 5 - and beyond - having good knowledge of these
features and the effects they have will lead to improved marks.
Referring to the ‘Potato Punctuation’ display will allow learners to reference
and consolidate their understanding as the PowerPoint progresses.

3. Sentence Structure Features and Techniques
Part One
• Short sentences
• Minor sentences/single
word sentences
• Climactic sentences
• Anticlimactic sentences
• Antithesis
Part Two
• Inverted syntax/word order
• Repetition of words
• Repetition of phrases or slight variation of
phrases (parallelism)
• Lists
• Questions and rhetorical questions;
question/answer structure
• Beginning sentences with the conjunction
‘And’ or ‘But’
Part Three
Single dash, colons, semi-colons, inverted commas, ellipsis and parenthesis.

4. 1. Identify the feature/technique used in the sentence structure
(you could also add a shorter quote to demonstrate the example chosen).
2. Analyse the impact of this feature/technique with reference to the context
of the passage.
You will need to connect the technique to the context of the question to
ensure you show the examiner that you understand. It will look a bit like this:
The writer uses a _________ which draws attention to…
This is effective because…
To answer a sentence structure question, it is best to do the following:

5. Writers vary their sentence lengths to create
meaning. A short sentence is just one
example, but often many short sentences
together will be leading up to something
climactic.
Read the following slides and discuss what
the writer is trying to say.
Does it help make the point clearer?
Short Sentences

6. This sentence has only six words. It is a
common sentence length. Everyone can
write sentences like these. But, after a
while, it’s boring. Even adding
punctuation doesn’t always help.
So, I change my style. I add short
sentences, to make an impact. Boom.
It’s suddenly better. It breathes. I can
make the writing a little more engaging,
just by adding variation.
Short Sentences

7. I could keep it short. And sweet.
Or (and this is when I really want to make
an impact) I will write a longer, more
flowing sentence that draws your
attention in ways writing does best, and I
will write the most important thing I need
to ever say. A sentence that cries out to
be read.
Listen to me. Listen. It’s awesome when
you start to see what words can do.
Short Sentences

8. A major sentence contains a subject and a
predicate (this means the part of a sentence
that contains a verb and mentions the subject)
and makes sense on its own.
Major Sentences
The lion roared in its cage.
The lion = the subject
roared = the verb

9. A minor sentence is a sentence that is ‘incomplete’. This means it doesn’t
have a subject or predicate (this means the part of a sentence that contains a
verb and mentions the subject) but they do convey meaning.
Minor Sentences/Single Word Sentences
A minor sentence still makes sense without essential information. They can
add emotion, a feeling of unease or make what is being read more important.
Minor and single word sentences can also make the text more informal or
break up the monotony with a change.
What a night!
There is no subject and no verb in this sentence, but the reader understands
the writer is making a point about the evening. The rest of the text will
indicate if the night was good or bad.

10. 1. Like mother, like daughter.
2. I will visit her tomorrow.
3. Wait!
4. How often do you check your spelling?
5. Screaming. Glass breaking.
Identify the minor sentences.
reveal answers
minor
major
minor
major
minor

11. The ‘mic-drop’ of writing, in climactic
sentences the words and phrases are being
used escalate to a point where they peak to
a climax.
Climactic Sentences
I saw the puppy; I wanted to pet it;
I desperately needed to own it.
Each phrase builds on an idea, its complexity
or sentiment to make the reader understand
the writer’s intention.

12. The opposite of climactic sentences,
anticlimactic sentences use words and
phrases to escalate to a critical point…and
then fizzle out. Often it leads to a
disappointing or deliberately weaker final
phrase for humour or dramatic effect. This is
an anticlimax.
Anticlimactic Sentences
I gritted my teeth, focused on
pushing past the pain, the
seething crowd, so I could reach
the fruit and vegetables first.
We understand more about the writer’s idea
and their tone by using this technique.

13. 1. On the pitch, it got bad. The footballers
fouled. They ‘forgot’ the rules. They
waged a full-on war with the referee.
Which one is the climactic sentence?
2. Right now, I’d kill for a ticket. I’d steal it. I
would even consider leaving my house
just so I could go.
reveal answers
climactic
anticlimactic

14. This technique puts words and ideas together
in balanced or parallel structures which
contrast each other.
Antithesis
I hate this city but I love
this country.
The writer uses antithesis to emphasise that
they enjoy the country more than the city,
highlighting the difference in these two places.

15. Antithesis can be used in different ways:
To add rhythm to the writing
To highlight the issue and explore its ethics
To make a controversial or difficult topic easier to understand
To give a contradiction (or rebuttal) to the argument expressed
To explore the differences between the two ideas

16. Match the use of antithesis to the example:
He says he loves animals yet
he loves his fur coat.
A loud explosion, a quiet
implosion.
They are convinced they are
right when they’re wrong and
that there is nothing wrong
with being right.
To add rhythm to the writing
To make a controversial or
difficult topic easier to
understand
To highlight the issue and
explore its ethics
reveal answers

17. Choose one of the techniques and sum up
what it means in only one sentence.
Plenary: Sentence Structure Features and Techniques
Part One
• Short sentences
• Minor sentences/single
word sentences
• Climactic sentences
• Anticlimactic sentences
• Antithesis