Syntax is the study of the rules whereby words or other elements of sentence structure are combined to form grammatical sentences. Describe the sentence structure by considering the following: sentence length, sentence patterns, juxtaposition, parallel structure, repetition, rhetorical question, beginnings and ideas.

Examine the sentence length. Are the sentences telegraphic (shorter than five words in length), medium (approximately eighteen words in length), or long and involved (thirty words or more in length)? Does the sentence length fit the subject matter, what variety of length is present? Why is the sentence length effective?

Examine sentence patterns. Some elements to consider: A declarative (assertive) sentence makes a statement, e.g., The king is sick. An imperative sentence gives a command, e.g., Stand up. An interrogative sentence asks a question, e.g., Is the king sick? An exclamatory sentence makes an exclamation, e.g., The king is dead!

A simple sentence contains one subject and one verb, A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or,jor, nor, yet, so) or by a semicolon, e.g. The singer bowed to the audience, but she sang no encores. A complex sentence contains an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses, e.g., You said that you would tell the truth. A compound conlplex sentence contains two or more principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses, e.g. The singer bowed while the audience applauded, but she sang no encores.

A loose sentence makes complete sense if brought to a close before the actual ending, e.g., We reached Edmonton that morning after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences. A periodic sentence makes sense only when the end of the sentence is reached, e.g., That morning, after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences, we reached Edmonton.

In a balanced sentence, the phrases or clauses balance each other by virtue of their likeness or structure, meaning, and or length, e.g., He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Natural order of a sentence involves constructing a sentence so the subject comes before the predicate, e.g., Oranges grow in California. Inverted order of a sentence (sentence inversion) involves constructing a sentence so the predicate comes before the subject, e.g. In California grow oranges. This is a device in which normal sentence patterns are reversed to create an emphatic or rhythmic effect. Split order of a sentence divides the predicate into two parts with the subject coming in the middle, e.g., In California oranges grow.

Juxtaposition is a poetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit, e.g., "The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough" ("In a Station of Metro" by Ezra Pound).

Parallel structure (parallelism) refers to a grammatical or structural similarity between sentences or parts of a sentence. It involves an arrangement of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and similarly phrased, e.g., He was walking, running, and jumping for joy.

Repetition is a device in which words, sounds, and ideas are used more than once for the purpose of enhancing rhythm and creating emphasis, e.g., "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

A rhetorical question is a question which expects no answer. It is used to draw attention to a point and is generally stronger than a direct statement, e.g., If Mr. Ferchoff is always fair, as you have said, why did he refuse to listen to Mrs. Baldwin 's arguments?

Examine sentence beginnings. Is there a good variety or does a pattern emerge?

Examine the arrangement of ideas in a sentence. Are they set out in a special way for a purpose?

Examine the arrangement of ideas in a paragraph to see if there is evidence of any pattern or structure. Treatment of Subject Matter