Rhetorical Grammar

Improving Syntax

Syntax
Sentence Structure Writers Style Intentional (not random) choices Appeal to the audience Purposeful

Understand Grammar
Perspective - the rules Descriptive - what is done Rhetorical - intentional effects Make Choices intuitive intentional

Possibilities with Syntactical Choices

Influence or appeal to an audience Emphasis Logic Variety, Rhythm Style

Sentence
Basic unit of communication Three (3) parts Subject Verb Complete thought Example: Susan ate lunch.

Clauses
A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb. Independent (sentence) Dependent (fragment) A fragment is missing a subject, verb, and/or a complete thought A simple sentence expresses a complete thought.

DO NOW
Write 7 - 10 simple sentences about an event that happened this week. The sentences should narrate an event with the beginning, a middle, and an end.

Las Vegas
I arrived in Las Vegas at noon on Friday. Many people were gambling in the Casino. The machines were beckoning me. I slid twenty dollars in a Joker slot. I pulled the lever. I matched four of them. I tripled my money. The slots were loose. Luck was on my side.

Coordination
Indicate equality of Idea

of Grammatical Element or Structure

Coordinating Conjunctions and (emphasize balance, show surplus, or build excitement)

but, or, nor (indicate contrast / opposition)

for, so (show causal relationship / reason) Compound Sentences / Balanced (Parallel)

Two simple sentences connected

Ideas are equal

Punctuating Compound Sentences

Technique
A comma and a coordinating conjunction A semicolon and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet

Purpose
shows balance, contrast, or relationship The semicolon tells the reader that ideas are very closely related. The second sentence restates the first one, possibly clarifying. Conjunctive adverb connects the equal idea, but indicates adverbial relationship

A colon

:
; however, consequently

A semicolon, a conjunctive adverb, and a comma

Adverbial Relationship
Answers the: How, When, Where, Why, and To what extent The two ideas are related.

DO NOW
Use coordination to combine any of the sentences in your original narrative. Look for ideas that are equal, meaning neither of the two are more important than the other. Use the combining method and punctuation to illustrate the relationship.