Understanding Sentence Structure and Effect in Writing
Explore the intricacies of sentence structure and how writers shape their sentences to convey specific effects. Delve into the definition of a sentence, explore the use of subordinate clauses and main clauses, and analyze how writers deliberately craft sentences to create desired impacts in their writing. Discover the art of forming sentences to evoke emotions, build tension, and engage readers through examples from literary works by Philip Pullman and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
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Y8 Language Detectives Investigating how language works: sentence structure
What is a sentence? Stop! I held my breath. Like a wave that has been building its strength over a thousand miles of ocean, and which makes little stir in the deep water, but which when it reaches the shallows rears itself up high into the sky, terrifying the shore-dwellers, before crashing down on the land with irresistible power - so Iorek Byrnison rose up against Iofur, exploding upwards from his firm footing on the dry rock and slashing with a ferocious left hand at the exposed jaw of Iofur Raknison. (from Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, describing a fight between two bears)
What is a sentence? Rate each statement True/False/Not Sure 1. A sentence should be about ten words long. 2. A sentence can end with either a comma or a full stop. 3. A sentence can have more than one verb in it.
Subordinate clause or main clause? there was someone at the front door when I heard it the key turning in the lock I raced back up the ladder How many different sentences can you make using these clauses? Try joining the clauses with different conjunctions e.g. and, but, so, when, because, as, while Can you invent new main clauses (sentences) and new subordinate clauses and practise joining them?
How do writers deliberately shape sentences to create the effect they want? Writers deliberately design the length and structure of their sentences to achieve the effect they want. In this extract, the writer wants to stress that the boy (who is hiding stolen money in the attic of his house when he hears someone coming into the house) is frightened and in a panic: I was just pushing the lower half of the ladder back up when I heard it. There was someone at the front door. I held my breath. It was OK. They couldn t get in. I slid my hand into my pocket to make sure the key was still there. It wasn t. I d left it in the front door. I could hear it turning in the lock now. I raced back up the ladder and hauled it after me. When I reached down to pull the hatch back up, I could hear someone coming up the stairs. I quickly pulled the hatch back into place and scrabbled over to the water tank, holding my breath. (From Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce)
How do writers deliberately shape sentences to create the effect they want? I was just pushing the lower half of the ladder back up when I heard it. There was someone at the front door. I held my breath. It was OK. They couldn t get in. I slid my hand into my pocket to make sure the key was still there. It wasn t. I d left it in the front door. I could hear it turning in the lock now. I raced back up the ladder and hauled it after me. When I reached down to pull the hatch back up, I could hear someone coming up the stairs. I quickly pulled the hatch back into place and scrabbled over to the water tank, holding my breath. Count how many sentences have only one verb (single-clause sentences) Count how many words there are in each of the single-clause sentences. Where has the writer placed the shortest single-clause sentences? How well do you think these sentences suggest Damian s fear and panic?
How do writers deliberately shape sentences to create the effect they want? I was just pushing the lower half of the ladder back up when I heard it. There was someone at the front door. I held my breath. It was OK. They couldn t get in. I slid my hand into my pocket to make sure the key was still there. It wasn t. I d left it in the front door. I could hear it turning in the lock now. I raced back up the ladder and hauled it after me. When I reached down to pull the hatch back up, I could hear someone coming up the stairs. I quickly pulled the hatch back into place and scrabbled over to the water tank, holding my breath. Count how many sentences have only one verb (single-clause sentences) Count how many words there are in each of the single-clause sentences. Where has the writer placed the shortest single-clause sentences? How well do you think these sentences suggest Damian s fear and panic?
How do writers deliberately shape sentences to create the effect they want? I was just pushing the lower half of the ladder back up when I heard it. There was someone at the front door. I held my breath. It was OK. They couldn t get in. I slid my hand into my pocket to make sure the key was still there. It wasn t. I d left it in the front door. I could hear it turning in the lock now. I raced back up the ladder and hauled it after me. When I reached down to pull the hatch back up, I could hear someone coming up the stairs. I quickly pulled the hatch back into place and scrabbled over to the water tank, holding my breath. Look at the sentences that have more than one verb (multi-clause sentences) How many sentences have 2 verbs? 3 verbs? 4 verbs? Where are the longest sentences placed? How well do you think these sentences show Damian s fear and panic?
How do writers deliberately shape sentences to create the effect they want? I was just pushing the lower half of the ladder back up when I heard it. There was someone at the front door. I held my breath. It was OK. They couldn t get in. I slid my hand into my pocket to make sure the key was still there. It wasn t. I d left it in the front door. I could hear it turning in the lock now. I raced back up the ladder and hauled it after me. When I reached down to pull the hatch back up, I could hear someone coming up the stairs. I quickly pulled the hatch back into place and scrabbled over to the water tank, holding my breath. Look at the sentences that have more than one verb (multi-clause sentences) How many sentences have 2 verbs? 3 verbs? 4 verbs? Where are the longest sentences placed? How well do you think these sentences show Damian s fear and panic?
Try it out Write the opening paragraph to a story based on the image, where you think you are being followed on your way home. You could start: I was just a few streets away from home when I heard it. Can you deliberately shape your sentences to convey your sense of fear and panic?
Can you deliberately shape your sentences to convey your sense of fear and panic? I was just a few streets away from home when I heard it. Someone was following me. I could definitely hear footsteps. They were close behind me. I quickened my pace. The footsteps followed. I didn t dare turn round to look. When I reached the alleyway near my house I dodged into it and flattened myself against the wall, hoping the shadowy figure hadn t noticed. I held my breath as the footsteps drew closer and closer.
