New
New
Year 10
AQA
Using inversion and asyndeton to craft interesting sentence structures
I can experiment with a range of different sentence structures to make my creative writing more engaging.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Using inversion and asyndeton to craft interesting sentence structures
I can experiment with a range of different sentence structures to make my creative writing more engaging.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- An inverted sentence reverses the natural order of a sentence.
- Using an inverted sentence structure is a good way to vary syntax to make your writing more engaging.
- Asyndeton uses a list with no conjunctions whilst polysyndeton uses a list with a repeated conjunction.
- Asyndeton creates a fast pace whereas polysyndeton creates a slower pace.
- You can create interesting sentence structures by adding a climactic structure to your writing.
Keywords
Syntax - the order of words in a sentence
Inverted - changed from its normal position by being ordered in the opposite way
Asyndeton - the omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence
Polysyndeton - repetition of conjunctions in close succession within a sentence
Common misconception
Lists cannot add sophistication to your writing.
Varying the way we write lists can make our writing more sophisticated.
Throughout this lesson, you may want to show examples of asyndeton and polysyndeton being used in context in novels that you have enjoyed.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What usually appears first in a sentence?
verb
object
Q2.
Which sentence does not follow the expected order?
They observed that it was very odd.
She thought it was odd.
Q3.
Which sentence contains the most natural way for a list to be written?
She was tired, hungry, fed-up.
She was tired and hungry and fed-up.
Q4.
What is unique about this list: "She was tired, hungry, fed-up."?
it repeats conjunctions
it is shocking for the reader
Q5.
What is a climax?
the beginning of a novel or text where characters are introduced
the part where conflict is resolved in a novel or text
Q6.
Which list builds to a climax?
The sky was lavender, apricot and terracotta.
It was lethal, cruel and wrong.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What is asyndeton?
repetition of conjunctions in close succession within a sentence
changed from its normal position by being ordered in the opposite way
Q2.
Which sentence uses polysyndeton?
They waited to be first, to choose, to devour.
Never-ending, they thought as they counted thousands of people ahead.
Q3.
Which list uses a climactic structure?
humid, warm, suffocating
suffocating, humid, warm
Q4.
Why might someone use a list with a climactic structure?
it allows you to use more sophisticated vocabulary
it slows the pace of the narrative down
Q5.
Which sentence uses an inverted structure?
The oak tree stood tall and proud.
The tree stood proudly.
Q6.
Why might you choose to use polysyndeton over asyndeton?
to create a fast pace
to make your writing more emotive