Syntax

IQ: How can varying sentence structures impact a text? How can I model varying sentence structures in my own writing?

1. Share Sacred Place speeches: underline words that create tone and label devices
2. Go over MC Practice: first in groups, then together
3. Intro to Syntax

Syntax: A fancy word for sentence structure
We look at four things:

• Length
• Structure 
• Voice
• Mode of verbs

“This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.” --Gary Provost

Imitation Writing: Timed (10 Minutes)

Why do we imitate? (in case you're wondering...)

“I think if imitation were encouraged, much would be learned well that is now learned partially and haphazardly. Before we can be poets, we must practice; imitation is a very good way of investigating the real thing.” --Mary Oliver, A Poetry Handbook

“It’s a good idea to have a designated section of your bookshelf for books by writers who have obviously worked on their sentences...These are works you can turn to whenever you feel that your own style is getting a little slack or lazy or vague. You can open such books anywhere and read a sentence that will move you to labor longer, try harder, to return to that trouble spot or that imprecise or awkward sentence until it is something to be proud of instead of something you hope the reader won’t notice.”  --Francine Prose, Reading Like a Writer

4. Syntax Slideshow and Practice

Homework: Vocab Unit 2

"Vietnam in Me" Says/Does