Structure techniques

Question 1

Repeated word or phrase at the beginning of sentences.

Question 2

Anaphora

Answer 2

Repeated word or phrase at the beginning of sentences.

Eg. The use of anaphora reflects the determination of the speaker. The variation of the adverb at the end reflects…

Question 3

Antithesis

Answer 3

A sentence where the two halves are in contrast to one another.

Eg. Here, the antithesis reinforces the commitment made in marriage.

Question 4

Balanced sentence

Answer 4

A sentence where the two halves are parallel or balanced in structure.

Eg. The balanced sentence emphasises.

Question 5

Fragmented / broken/ minor sentence

Answer 5

A sentence which is not complete, but which makes sense as a unit of meaning in the context of the text.

Eg. The use of a broken sentence suggests…
(disjointed thinking?;
an idea tailing off?
Shock?
Disappointment…

Question 6

Focus - shift in point of view. A shift in ideas .

Answer 6

Consideration of a different viewpoint is given. The idea moves to something new.

Eg. The writer takes consideration of an alternative viewpoint to show…

Question 7

Counter- argument

Answer 7

After considering a different point of view, they return to their original argument.

Eg. The use of counter-argument is effective because…

Question 8

Repetition

Answer 8

Words or phrases which are repeated for effect.

Eg. The repetition of the verb, ‘believe’ is used here to put forward the idea that…It emphasises….

Question 9

Asyndeton

Answer 9

The absence of a conjunction within a sentence.

Eg. The use of asyndeton in the phrase…helps to increase the drama of the speech by speeding up its rhythm and pace.

Question 10

Polysndeton

Answer 10

Using additional conjunctions.

Eg. The polysyndeton slows the pace of the line, placing
emphasis on each of the verbs.

Question 11

Ellipsis

Answer 11

… (three dots)

Eg. The ellipsis indicates… (trailing off, unfinished thought, deliberately creating drama e.g in a speech).

Question 12

Semi-colon/ colon

Answer 12

:, ;

Eg. The semi-colon/colon used indicates…

Question 13

List

Answer 13

A number of examples given close together.

Eg. The list of negative qualities is illustrative of.

Question 14

Contrast

Answer 14

Two ideas, events or viewpoints shown differently.

Eg. The reader can see that the contrast of…and …reveals the differences between the two… The effect of this is…

Question 15

Simple, clipped sentence

Answer 15

Basic sentence with a subject and a verb.

Eg. The use of a simple, clipped sentence helps to emphasise the importance of
the verb, ‘need’ which shows that exercise is essential.

Question 16

Multi-clause sentence / complex sentence

Answer 16

A sentence containing a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses linked by a conjunction or a relative pronoun.

Eg. Within this complex sentence, the additional clause reminds the reader of Shakespeare’s roots.
The impact of this multiclause sentence is… The additional clauses include important details, such
as..

Question 17

The opening sentence

Answer 17

The very first line.

Eg. The opening
sentence of the extract immediately establishes.

Question 18

The final sentence

Answer 18

The very last line

Eg. The final sentence of the extract links back to the start, making us see how the
writer.