Using inversion and asyndeton to craft interesting sentence structures
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can experiment with a range of different sentence structures to make my creative writing more engaging.
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.
Teacher tip
Throughout this lesson, you may want to show examples of asyndeton and polysyndeton being used in context in novels that you have enjoyed.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What usually appears first in a sentence?
Q2.Which sentence does not follow the expected order?
Q3.Which sentence contains the most natural way for a list to be written?
Q4.What is unique about this list: "She was tired, hungry, fed-up."?
Q5.What is a climax?
Q6.Which list builds to a climax?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is asyndeton?
Q2.Which sentence uses polysyndeton?
Q3.Which list uses a climactic structure?
Q4.Why might someone use a list with a climactic structure?
Q5.Which sentence uses an inverted structure?
Q6.Why might you choose to use polysyndeton over asyndeton?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using inversion and asyndeton to craft interesting sentence structures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using inversion and asyndeton to craft interesting sentence structures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Fiction: read around the world unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.