Shift Syntax to Strengthen Sentences

Shift Syntax to Strengthen Sentences Shift Syntax to Strengthen Sentences Shift Syntax to Strengthen Sentences By Mark Nichol English syntax is flexible, enabling writers to shape a given sentence in various ways, and we should take advantage of this lack of rigidity to enhance the impact of our statements. Here are several sentences that benefit from rearrangement. 1. â€Å"Complex adaptive systems can respond more quickly the more complex they are.† This sentence is clear and straightforward, but it would be stronger with a shift in emphasis. What’s the key point? Speed increases as complex adaptive systems become more complex. This revision begins with the key point, but it’s often more effective to withhold significant information until the end of a sentence: â€Å"The more complex that adaptive systems are, the more quickly they can respond.† 2. â€Å"It’s the world of impressions, in which we can do no wrong, not the world of action.† In the previous example, the distinctions between the three variations of the statement were minimal, although the key point popped out more in the suggested revision. In this case, however, the statement begins vigorously, peaks in the middle, and limps to a close, and the key point is relegated to a parenthetical statement that separates two elements of a contrast. Reorganize the sentence by establishing the contrast and culminating with the conclusion: â€Å"It’s the world of impressions, not the world of action, in which we can do no wrong.† 3. â€Å"America should rely on the entrepreneurship and goodness of its citizens to be a great society, not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies.† Again, the heart of a sentence is buried in its middle, and the juxtaposition of the two approaches is interrupted. This sentence makes an assertion about how the United States can be a great society, and that final phrase should punctuate, not be buried in the midst of, the statement. Here are two variations that, as in the previous example, introduce a contrast and then ride the momentum of that tension to drive home the argument: â€Å"The United States should rely on the entrepreneurship and goodness of its citizens, not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies, to be a great society,† or â€Å"The United States should rely not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies but on the entrepreneurship and goodness of its citizens to be a great society.† Note how one variant is internally punctuated and the other isn’t. In the first alternative, the counterpoint, the phrase beginning with not, is parenthetical it could be omitted without affecting the coherence of the sentence. In the second revision, the two elements of the contrast are an integrated thought, and there is no parenthesis. If the second element of the contrast were omitted, the sentence would read, â€Å"The United States should rely not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies to be a great society† an incomplete statement. Insertion or omission of punctuation can change meaning. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of Adjectives41 Words That Are Better Than GoodPresent Participle as Adjective

A Thousand Splendid Sunsâ€Discussion Questions

'A Thousand Splendid Suns'- Discussion Questions A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is superbly written, has a page-turning story, and will help your book club learn more about Afghanistan. Use these book club discussion questions to probe deeper into the story. Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details from the novel. Finish the book before reading on! Discussion Questions What did A Thousand Splendid Suns teach you about the history of Afghanistan? Did anything surprise you?Mariam’s mother says: Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have. In what ways is this true? How do Mariam and Laila endure? How is their endurance different from the ways their mothers faced their trials?Several times Mariam passes herself off as Lailas mother. In what way is their relationship like mother-daughter? How did their own relationships with their mothers shape how they treated each other and their family?What is the significance of Lailas childhood trip to see the giant stone Buddhas above the Bamiyan Valley? Why did her father take her on this trip? How did his influence shape the way Laila would cope with her future?Afghanistan changes rulers several times in the story. During the Soviet occupation, the people felt life would be better once the foreigners were defeated. Why do you think the quality of life deteriorated after the occupation rather than r eturning to the way it was in the pre-communist era? When the Taliban first enter the city, Laila does not believe women will tolerate being forced out of jobs and treated with such indignity. Why do the educated women of Kabul endure such treatment? Why are the Taliban accepted?The Taliban forbid writing books, watching films, and painting pictures; yet the film Titanic becomes a sensation on the black market. Why would people risk the Taliban’s violence to watch the film? Why do you think this particular film became so popular? How does Hosseini use films throughout the novel to symbolize relationships between people and the state of the country (i.e. Jalils theater, Tariq Lailas outings to the movies)?Were you surprised when Tariq returned? Had you suspected the depth of Rasheeds deceit?Why does Mariam refuse to call witnesses at her trial? Why didnt she try to escape with Laila and Tariq? Do you think Mariam made the right decision? Even though her life was hard, Mariam wishes for more of it in the end. Why do you think tha t is? Do you think Laila and Tariq can be happy?Afghanistan is still in the news a lot. Do you think the situation will truly improve there?Rate A Thousand Splendid Suns on a scale of 1 to 5.