Schemes of Syntactical Construction
Terms
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- Repetition
- the duplication, either exact or approximate, or any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern. When well done, it links and emphasizes ideas while allowing the reader the comfort of recognizing something familiar.
- Antimetabole
- repetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order. It, too, reinforces antithesis.
- Asyndeton
- commas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence.
- Parataxis
- short independent clauses joined by semi-colons rather than conjunctions
- Tricolon
- Sentence consisting of three parts of equal importance and length, usually three independent clauses
- Ellipsis/Ellipse
- the deliberate omission of one or more words. which are readily implied by the context.
- Periodic sentence
- a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is to add emphasis and structural variety.
- Polysyndeton
- sentence which uses and or another conjunction (with no commas) to separate the items in a series. Polysyndeton appears in the form of X and Y and Z, stressing equally each member of the series. It makes the sentence slower and the items more emphatic than in the asyndeton
- Freight Train
- Sentence consisting of three or more very sort independent clauses joined by conjunctions
- Syntax
- the way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of syntax as the group of words while diction refers to the individual words.
- Anastrophe
- Inversion of the usual, normal, or logical order of the parts of a sentence. It is effective for gaining attention and securing emphasis. (Also referred to as inversion)
- Loose sentence
- a type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. if a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many loose sentences often seems informal, relaxed, and conversational
- Antithesis
- a balancing of two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, clauses or ideas. Also referred to as juxtaposition
- Parallelism (Parallel construction or parallel structure)
- This term refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. The effects are numerous, but frequently, they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm
- Chiasmus
- A reversal of grammatical structure in successive phrases or clauses, without repetition of words. It reinforces antitheses.
- Anaphora
- Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent and produces a strong emotional effect