New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

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
Eduqas

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

  1. An inverted sentence reverses the natural order of a sentence.
  2. Using an inverted sentence structure is a good way to vary syntax to make your writing more engaging.
  3. Asyndeton uses a list with no conjunctions whilst polysyndeton uses a list with a repeated conjunction.
  4. Asyndeton creates a fast pace whereas polysyndeton creates a slower pace.
  5. 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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6 Questions

Q1.
What usually appears first in a sentence?
verb
Correct answer: subject
object
Q2.
Which sentence does not follow the expected order?
Correct answer: Odd, she thought.
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.
Correct answer: She was tired, hungry and fed-up.
Q4.
What is unique about this list: "She was tired, hungry, fed-up."?
it repeats conjunctions
Correct answer: it contains no conjunctions
it is shocking for the reader
Q5.
What is a climax?
the beginning of a novel or text where characters are introduced
Correct answer: the most exciting, intense part of a novel or text
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.
Correct answer: They were bored and cold and at war.

6 Questions

Q1.
What is asyndeton?
Correct answer: the omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence
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?
Correct answer: It was Sunday and it was hot and they were hungry.
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
Correct answer: warm, humid, suffocating
suffocating, humid, warm
Q4.
Why might someone use a list with a climactic structure?
Correct answer: it can be used to shock the reader
Correct answer: it can be used to build tension
it allows you to use more sophisticated vocabulary
it slows the pace of the narrative down
Q5.
Which sentence uses an inverted structure?
Correct answer: Tall and proud stood the oak tree.
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
Correct answer: to create a slow pace
to make your writing more emotive