RUAE Sentence structure examples and analysis

Question 1

Colon :

Answer 1

introduces an explanation or a list

Question 2

Semi-colon ;

Answer 2

Joins two ideas together or separates ideas in a list

Question 3

Question ?

Answer 3

Used rhetorically/ to involve the reader/ to indicate doubt

Question 4

Exclamation mark !

Answer 4

To show shock, surprise, horror, anger, sarcasm

Question 5

Parenthesis () - - ‘ ‘

Answer 5

To add in additional comments or information

Question 6

Single dash (-)

Answer 6

Can be used to introduce extra piece of information just as a colon does. It can also be used to indicate a breaking off in a sentence

Question 7

Minor sentence

Answer 7

One or two words – blunt and dramatic

Question 8

Simple sentence

Answer 8

Blunt, dramatic, emphasises an idea

Question 9

Complex sentence

Answer 9

Long – usually used to mirror the length of time something took

Question 10

Repetition

Answer 10

Used to emphasise an idea

Question 11

Ellipses …

Answer 11

Used to cut someone off, to show doubt

Question 12

Inverted commas “”

Answer 12

Used for sarcasm or to quote

Question 13

Lists

Answer 13

Lists often have a progression of ideas. Where the writer builds up to something we call a climax; when the writer builds up to something but it doesn’t come, we call it an anti-climax. Lists are also used to emphasise the amount of something.