Sentence Forms Flashcards
All 12 cards in this deck
What effect can a simple sentence have in a fiction extract?
One main clause with one main verb: 'The door opened.' It can create clarity, emphasis or shock, especially after longer sentences.
What is a compound sentence, and what can it do?
Two main clauses joined by and, but, or or so. It can show a sequence of events, balance two ideas, or set up a contrast with but.
What is a complex sentence, and what can it do?
A main clause with at least one subordinate clause. It adds detail, reasons or conditions, and can delay the key information to build suspense: 'Although the lights were off, someone was in the kitchen.'
What is a minor sentence, and what effect does it have?
A sentence without a main verb, such as 'Silence.' or 'Not again.' It isolates a moment or feeling, gives emphasis, or imitates a character's thoughts.
What do exclamatory sentences do in a narrative?
They end in an exclamation mark and show strong emotion, such as excitement, panic or delight. They often let us hear a character's own voice.
What does a question (interrogative) do in a fiction extract?
It shows a character's doubt, confusion or worry, and it pulls the reader into puzzling over the same thing: 'Who had left the gate open?'
What is the effect of a long sentence built from a list?
It can suggest accumulation, chaos or overwhelming detail. Joined with many ands (polysyndeton) it can feel breathless or endless; with commas only (asyndeton) it can feel rushed.
What is the effect of a short sentence straight after a long one?
The contrast stops the rhythm suddenly, so the short sentence lands with force. It often marks a shock, a realisation or a turning point.
What is a fronted adverbial, and what can it do?
A word or phrase at the start of a sentence that says how, when or where: 'Slowly, the door opened.' Putting it first stresses the manner or time and can delay the action for suspense.
Why do examiners dislike "short sentences create tension" as a comment?
It is a stock phrase that could fit any extract. Explain what this sentence does in this place, for example: "the simple sentence isolates the moment he sees the letter, so the reader stops with him."
In 'She waited. And waited. Nothing.', which sentence forms are used and what is their effect?
Short fragments and a minor sentence, with repetition. They stretch out time and end in emptiness, making the wait feel long and disappointing.
In 'He ran past the bins, through the gate, across the wet grass and down to the water's edge', what is the effect of the sentence form?
One long sentence built from a list of phrases. It carries the reader along in a single breath, creating speed and unstoppable movement.