The Writing Post

Writers must stop and wonder about their craft often. If they don’t, then evolving as a writer becomes impossible. One way to guarantee an evolving writing style is exploring the fundamentals of writing. By understanding what makes grammar work and function, writers obtain a larger command of language and set better routines. In this way, understanding syntax and sentence structure in writing is important for writers, so they know the best ways to formulate words and sentences.

What is Syntax and Sentence Structure?

To put it simply, syntax is the way an author structures a sentence. The Guilford College Writing Manual states that syntax is a “joystick” that allows you “to control your style,” as it “refers to the way you arrange words in such units as phrases, clauses, and sentences.”

Additionally, Purdue asserts how a writer’s sentences are written and received are “matters of syntax,” and “as are the ways that different clauses are arranged and how they flow. Choosing different kinds of syntax allows writers to manipulate the qualities of rhythm and coherence throughout a piece of writing.”

Thus, if we consider syntax, then we are considering how to structure our sentences.

What are Three Syntax Considerations?

There are many elements of writing to think about when writing. Three aspects are worth your time and consideration: sentence structure, grammar, and creativity.

Sentence Structure

The top of the list is certainly sentence structure. If you are unfamiliar with different types of sentence structures just remember that there are four main types: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.

• Simple: A subject and a predicate (also known as an independent clause).
• Compound: Two or more independent clauses (simple sentences) joined with a comma and a conjunction.
• Complex: One or more independent clauses joined by one or more dependent clauses (and a subordinating conjunction).
• Compound–Complex: Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction and one or more dependent clauses (and subordinating conjunctions.

Grammar

It is important to understand the basic conventions of grammar in writing. That is to say, there are some elements that are absolutely essential for a sentence to work. For instance, capitalize the first word of every sentence, put punctuation at the end, use commas where necessary, and make sure your ideas flow clearly. The best way to get a handle on grammar is to practice writing simply and focus on simple and complex sentences to begin with.

Creativity

The best way to describe the final syntactical consideration is by asking a writer to go to their bookshelf and open their favorite book by their favorite author. Look at the first few lines of their story. What moves do they make as authors to get across their point?

For instance, consider these first lines from famous literary works and authors:

• The Dead Zone by Stephen King: “By the time he graduated from college, John Smith had forgotten all about the bad fall he took on the ice that January day in 1953. In fact, he would have been hard put to remember it by the time he graduated from grammar school. And his mother and father never knew about it at all.”

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling: “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense.”
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: “When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow. When it healed, and Jem’s fears of never being able to play football were calmed, he was almost never (concerned and a little worried about how you’re acting or what you look like) about his injury.”

The writers presented above use a conversational tone. However, consider that Rowling tone is a bit cheekier while King’s is a bit more colloquial. Meanwhile, Lee speaks to the youth of her characters and gives a sort of innocent retelling of events. With that said, each of these writers conveys their point clearly. We have a writing voice and that helps us convey information in our own way, whether we are informal or formal. Typically, a writers creativity and understanding of grammar and conventions guides their voice.

Conclusion

A helpful way to implement improvements in syntax and sentence structure in writing early on is to think while you write. More or less, writers should be aware of what they are doing while crafting. There are many people who write with fear, angst, and resentment, and with good reason–writing is hard. The trick is to find ways to ease the burden of the process so writers can be productive in their composing journeys.