Syntax Strategies & Schemes Flashcards
Antimetabole
A scheme in which the words in the first clause or phrase are reversed in the second (aka: chiasmus)
Ex: “study without thought is vain; thought without study is dangerous”
Antithesis
Use of structurally parallel word groupings that emphasize a contrast (a form of balanced sentences)
Ex: “one small step for man; one giant step for mankind”
Asyndeton
Items listed without the usual connecting conjunction; creates a rhythm as sense of force
Ex: Caesar’s “veni, vedi, vici”- “I came, I saw, I conquered”
Cumulative/loose sentences
A sentence beginning with its main clause, followed by additional phrases & details
Ex: “fires raged into the night, lapping at doors, sending waves of terror through the city”
Ellipsis
Omission of a word or phrase that is easily inferred by the reader
Ex: “with forgiveness comes a sense of release, with revenge only regret”
Inversion
Inversion of natural word order (for ex: verb before subject); also called Anastrophe
Ex: “something there is that doesn’t love a wall” from Robert Frost’s “mending wall”
Parallelism
The repetition of a grammatical structure in a series of phrases, clauses, or sentences
Ex: “it is by logic we prove, but by intuition we discover” -Leonardo davinci
Periodic sentence
Sentence with introductory phrases or clauses that build up to main clause
Ex: thanks to his horrible eyesight and lack of coordination, Maynard was never much of an athlete.”
Polysyndeton
The use of sentences, clauses, phrases, or words linked by several coordinating conjunctions
Ex: “the predator pursues his target and swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies”
Tricolon
Series of 3 parallel words, phrases, or clauses
Ex:”tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Anaphora
A form of repetition that uses the same words at the beginning of 2 or more phrases, clauses, ect
Ex: “…we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields…”
