That's a fact.
ends with a period ^
to show decisiveness
to show confidence in the accuracy of a statement
There is a bear over there.
I will not go near the bear.
You should not provoke that bear.
That's amazing!
ends with an exclamation point ^
to express strong emotion
to show urgency
to add emphasis to a statement
The bear is coming closer!
It doesn’t look friendly!
We need to run now!
Do that. Do it now!
ends with a period or exclamation point ^
to imply a power difference
to indicate an attempt to exercise power
to show desperation
Watch out for the bear.
Stand over there.
Protect me!
Note: An imperative sentence doesn’t have an explicit subject. (The implied subject is “you.”)
What is that?
ends with a question mark ^
to show curiosity or interest
to show confusion or a lack of knowledge
to show indecisiveness
to show a power difference (if the questions are demanding)
Do you know what bears eat?
What should we do next?
Why didn't you scare off the bear?
Review the common purposes of the 4 types of sentences listed above.
Look for contrasts between different characters’ syntax in dialogue.
Contrasts or shifts in syntax often correspond with contrasts or shifts in tone.
Shifts in syntax often signal changes in the story.
A sentence with unique syntax emphasizes the idea expressed in that sentence.
Short sentences are short. They create emphasis.
Telegraphic sentences are very short. They have 5 words or fewer.
Staccato sentences are short. They come in series. “Staccato” is also a music term. Staccato notes are short.
Long sentences are long; with their length, they often emphasize the complexity of a topic or the multitude of items in a list.
Cumulative (or loose) sentences begin with the main clause—the independent clause—and then add on additional clauses or phrases, offering more details as they progresses, slowly accumulating more information. They are also known as loose sentences.
Periodic sentences: When a sentence does not start with the main clause, instead beginning with dependent clauses or phrases, like in this sentence, meaning that the main idea isn’t complete until the period at the end, it is a periodic sentence. (Periodic sentences develop suspense and create an impact at the end of the sentence.)
Simple sentences consist of one independent clause.
Compound sentences have at least 2 independent clauses; the clauses may be joined by a semicolon or conjunction.
Complex sentences: If a sentence has at least 1 dependent clause, it is a complex sentence.
Compound complex sentences: If a sentence has at least 1 dependent clause and at least 2 independent clauses, it is a compound complex sentence; these are fun.