This document provides an overview of syntax and how writers can manipulate syntax to achieve different effects. It defines syntax as the arrangement of words, phrases, sentences, and ideas to achieve a desired effect. It then discusses several common syntactic techniques writers use, including varying sentence patterns (loose vs. periodic sentences), varying sentence length, repetition, juxtaposing contrasting ideas through devices like antithesis and oxymorons, and strategic use of punctuation like semicolons and colons. The document serves as a guide for students on manipulating syntax in their own writing.

1. AP English
Language and Composition
A Guide to Syntax
Spring Lake High School
Mr. Sinn

2. What is Syntax?
 Syntax is the arrangement of
words, phrases, sentences, or ideas within a
written text in order to achieve a desired effect.
 While most sentences in English follow a specific
Subject + Verb + Object/Modifier pattern, there
are acceptable variations which afford a writer
some flexibility with syntax.
 The most common methods by which writers use
syntax to affect meaning, besides altering
common sentence patterns, are varying sentence
length, repeating key phrases, juxtaposing
contrasting ideas, and punctuating.

3. Sentence Patterns
 A writer may choose to put the main clause of a
sentence at the beginning, leaving extraneous detail
for the end of the sentence. This is called a LOOSE
Sentence.
Ex.: A police car blasted down our street as
pedestrians
gathered to witness
the scene.
 Sometimes, however, an author may choose to
emphasize the extraneous material by placing it
first, postponing the independent clause until the end
of the sentence. This is called a PERIODIC
Sentence.
Ex.: As pedestrians gathered to witness the
scene, a
police car blasted down our
street.
 The same details can be used in different syntactical
order to place emphasis on certain elements of the

4. Varying Sentence Length
 Good writers use a variety of sentence lengths.
 Long, compound-complex sentences can serve to
enhance a description or extend the details of a
specific sentence. They can also slow down the
reader to keep them moving at a desired pace.
Think Hawthorne, Faulkner, Poe.
 Short, simple sentences can force the emphasis
on a single subject, or mimic a
suspenseful, hurried pace. Often times, tense
moments or chase/escape scenes are written
with short sentences. Think
Hemingway, Vonnegut, Bradbury.

5. Repetition
 Good writers use repetition of key ideas, much
the same way a speaker or comedian repeats key
elements of their material: to emphasize a
point, to remind the audience, to summarize.
 Parallelism: The repetition of similar grammatical
structures, ranging from single word parts of
speech, to phrases, to more complex clauses.
 Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at
the beginning of successive sentences.

6. Opposites Attract
 Good writers often juxtapose ideas to create contrast or
balance. The placing side by side of contrasting ideas
makes the reader see things from both perspectives, and it
highlights the often delicate balance between complex
subjects.
 Antithesis: the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in writing
to achieve
balance.
Ex.: Art is long, and time is fleeting.
 Paradox: A true statement which nonetheless seems to
contradict itself.
Ex.: Orwell’s Ministry of Plenty deprived citizens of
basic goods.
 Oxymoron: The juxtaposition of single words which have
opposite
meanings.
Ex.: The well-intentioned surprise became a beautiful
disaster.

7. Punctuation
 Good writers use punctuation not just as a necessary
form of turning text into conversation, but to impact
meaning and create emphasis on key ideas.
 The semicolon gives equal weight to two or more
independent clauses in a sentence. The resulting
syntactical balance reinforces parallel ideas and imparts
equal importance to both (or all) of the clauses.
 The colon directs reader attention to the words that
follow. It is also used between independent clauses if
the second summarizes or explains the first. A colon
sets the expectation that important, closely related
information will follow, and words after the colon are
emphasized.
 The dash marks a sudden change in thought or tone,
sets off a brief summary, or sets off a parenthetical part
of the sentence. The dash often conveys a casual tone.