Syntax and Grammar Terms
Terms
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- Declarative Sentence
- Makes a statement
- Imperative Sentence
- Gives a command
- Interrogative Sentence
- Asks a question
- Exclamatory Sentence
- Provides emphasis or expresses strong emotions
- Simple Sentence
- Contains one indpendent clause
- Compound Sentence
- Contains two independent clauses
- Complex Sentence
- Contains an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
- Compound-Complex Sentence
- Contains two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.
- Loose or Cumulative Sentence
- Makes sense if brought to a close before the actual ending. (could cut off the end)
- Periodic sentence
- Only makes full sense when the end of the sentence is reached.
- Balanced Sentence
- The phrases or clauses balance each other by virtue of their likeness of structure, meaning or length.
- Natural order of a sentence
- Subject before predicate
- Inverted Order
- Predicate before subject
- Juxtaposition
- Normally unassociated ideas, words or phrases are placed next to one another for effect of surprise and wit
- Parallel structure
- Grammatical or structural similarity between sentences or parts of a sentence. Equal important elements equally developed similarly phrased.
- Repetition
- A device in which words, sounds and ideas are used more than once to enhance rhythm and create emphasis
- Rhetorical question
- A question which requires no answer. It is used to draw attention to a point and is generally stronger than a direct statement
- Rhetorical Fragment
- A sentence fragment used deliberately for a persuasive purpose or to create a desired effect.
- Concrete
- Possessing physical existence, capable of being experienced by the senses; the opposite of abstract
- Abstract
- The opposite of concrete -- general ideas like love and justice, rather than physical tangibles
- denotation
- Dictionary meaning
- connotation
- Emotional content
- euphemism
- A mild word of phrase which substitutes for another which would be undesirable because it is too direct, unpleasant, or offensive
- cliché
- a cliché is a trite, overused expression that lacks originality
- Colloquial language
- Casual diction- informal
- Formal Diction
- Large polysyllabic words, Standard grammar
- neutral
- correct grammar and non-complex sentences
- informal
- contractions, slang, poor grammar
- Jargon
- Vocabulary particular to a profession
- General Words
- Name classes or groups of things
- Specific Words
- Name members of a class or group of things (preferred over general)
- Slang
- Informal language- fine in conversation, not formal writing
- neologism
- new word, meaning or phrase- probably avoid
- Sexist language
- words that denote male or female: fireman, policeman, chairman, mankind
- Regional language
- Language that is specific to a particular region