Clauses, Diction, & Syntax - OH MY!

Clauses, Diction, & Syntax - OH MY!

INDEPENDENT
CLAUSES

•A complete thought

•You don’t need to add
anything to it to make it a complete sentence.

Example
Independent
Clauses:

Spaulding is the most adorable cat.

He has gray and black fur.

He loves to snuggle.

Boxes are his favorite places to sleep.

Review

•An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE is the
same thing as a COMPLETE
SENTENCE.

DEPENDENT CLAUSES

•An incomplete thought

•Also known as a sentence fragment

•A dependent clause depends on something else to make it a complete sentence.

Example Signal Words

After

Even though

That

Whenever

Who

although

Ever since

though

whereas

when

as

how

unless

whether

whose

As if

if

until

which

why

because

since

what

whether

where

before

So that

whatever

Whichever

Even if

than

when

Wherever

Example
DEPENDENT
CLAUSES

Because Spaulding went to the vet

Whenever Spaulding eats

After he chases a bug

Combining independent and dependent clauses

• An independent clause can be added to the BEGINNING of a

dependent clause to form a complete sentence.

• You DO NOT use a comma to connect the clauses if the

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE comes BEFORE the DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

• FORMULA:

I + D

Examples

Mrs. Murk had to pay a bill because Spaulding went to the vet.

I refresh the water bowl whenever Spaulding eats.

Spaulding takes a nap after he chases a bug.

Combining independent and dependent clauses

• An independent clause can be added to the END of a

dependent clause to form a complete sentence.

• You MUST use a comma to connect the clauses if the

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE comes AFTER the DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

• FORMULA:

• D + comma + I .

Examples

Because Spaulding went to the vet, Mrs.
Murk had to pay a bill.

Whenever Spaulding eats, I refresh the water bowl.

After he chases a bug, Spaulding takes a
nap.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an INDEPENDENT clause?

• I love English class!

• Because it's so fun.

• Even when I'm tired.

• Since I have an awesome teacher.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a DEPENDENT clause?

• I love to draw.

• I can't wait to read my new book.

• After the Taylor Swift concert.

• Please don't yell.

Multiple Select

Select the 2 sentences that are grammatically correct.

• While she was singing a song, Constance rode a unicycle.

• While she was singing a song Constance rode a unicycle.

• Constance rode a unicycle, while she was singing a song.

• Constance rode a unicycle while she was singing a song.

Multiple Choice

Select the 2 sentences are grammatically correct.

• If you want to get extra credit, book a writing conference with me.

• Book a writing conference with me, if you want to get extra credit.

• If you want to get extra credit book a writing conference with me.

• Book a writing conference with me if you want to get extra credit.

What is diction?

​diction = word choice

• diction can have a negative or positive connotation

• diction can be formal or informal

• an author's tone (attitude) will reflect the diction they use

• diction can influence your mood (what you feel as you read)

Categorize

Options (8)

language used at work and school

serious tone

complete sentences

no abbreviations or exclamation marks

casual language and tone

use this to talk to friends and family

more emotional or personal

can use abbreviations or slang

Choose which details should go under formal diction versus informal diction.

Formal

Informal

Word Cloud

Rewrite this statement using INFORMAL diction: I like your choice of attire.

Word Cloud

Rewrite this phrase using INFORMAL diction: You're my dearest friend.

Word Cloud

Rewrite this statement using FORMAL diction: That's sus.

Word Cloud

Rewrite this phrase using FORMAL diction: I'm shook.

Syntax

Syntax refers to the way words and phrases come together to form sentences.
Syntax can create short, punchy sentences, long complex sentences, or a combination of both.

Simple versus Complex Syntax

• A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause within it.

• Example = When we got to the house, we saw that there were many cars in the driveway, and there were people milling around the yard laughing and taking pictures.

Complex Sentences

• A sentence that contains one independent clause.

• It should have a subject, verb, and completed thought.

• Example = We arrived at the house. There were many cars in the driveway. There were also people standing around the yard.

Simple Sentences

Categorize

Options (6)

I can't wait for Friday.

My dog likes to watch tv with me.

Go to the store.

After school, will you come over to my house?

My mom used to live in California when she was growing up.

Because I didn't go to bed until 2 am, I am very tired.

Organize these options into the right categories

Simple Sentence

Complex Sentence

Open Ended

Write your own example of a complex sentence. Remember, it should include at least one independent clause and one dependent clause.

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between diction and syntax?

• Syntax is related to sentence structure while diction is related to word choice.

• Syntax is related to style while diction is not.

• Syntax is related to word choice while diction is related to sentence structure.

• Diction is related to style while syntax is not.

Multiple Choice

What type of diction is used in paragraph 15 of "The Doll's House"?

• formal and vague

• informal and vague

• informal and informative

• formal and informative

Multiple Choice

What type of syntax is used in paragraph 15 of "The Doll's House"?

• All simple

• All complex

• Mostly simple with a few complex

• Mostly complex with a few simple

Poll

How do you feel about the concepts of diction and syntax?

• I feel amazing about both!

• I feel completely lost!

• I understand diction, but I'm confused with syntax.

• I understand syntax, but I'm confused with diction.