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." 

instead of an essay ...try...

Readability Scores and Comprehension

A readability score is designed to indicate comprehension difficulty.  Most webpages try to maintain a 7.0 to 8.0 (7th to 8th grade) reading comprehension level. Students can utilize this feature for improving their writing skills, and teachers can use the statistics to gauge comprehension level for corresponding with parents.

First, with your document open, go to the icon at the top left of your screen and click on Word Options.
Next, click Proofing. At the bottom of that screen you will need to check the Readability Statistics option, then click OK.
After you check your grammar and spelling, you will see the readability statistics pop up after making your corrections.

The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score is determined by total number of words, sentences, and paragraphs resulting in a comprehension difficulty score related to an American grade school level.

To determine the grade level for comprehension of a writing sample, Word counts the number of letters in words, the number of words in sentences, the lengths of sentences, and the lengths of paragraphs. The shorter the words, sentences, and paragraphs the lower the comprehension difficulty and grade level.

The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level statistic can be a helpful tool for writers who want to improve their comprehension level for a specific audience. Students may need to improve their syntax and diction for a sophisticated audience, and educators may need to adjust their writing for broad range of community members and/or parents.

Readability Statistics  provide writers with one more tool to use as a way to evaluate their writing for improvement.

A Finger, Two Dots, Then Me by Derrick Brown