Improving Syntax

Syntax: the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.



Let's say I have my students check for a Flesch-Kincaid grade level score (Readability and Comprehension ) and they discover their piece is written at a 7.0 or 8.0 level, but they are in 10th grade (or higher) and striving for a more sophisticated tone, style, and syntax in their writing.


What I have them do next is take that same paragraph and run it through this Syntax Analysis Chart to see exactly where the issues are and how they can revise to improve their readability for a higher score and stylistically create a more sophisticated piece of writing.


Oftentimes, students will discover they are using the same sentences openers ("I think"), structure (simple), and "to be" verbs (am, is was, were) repeatedly. One of the most important elements of syntax is the way the words, phrases, and clauses are arranged. This is a key element of the author’s style and can have a marked effect on meaning.  

I first learned of this strategy at a Advanced Placement Language and Composition conference I attended some years back.  The College Board says, "This reflective tool not only helps students examine how style contributes to meaning and purpose but also helps students identify various writing problems (repetitiveness, possible run-ons or fragments, weak verbs, and lack of syntactical variety). In addition, students are made aware of their own developing voices and diction."