DIDLS - Syntax

sentence parts

word order

sentence length

punctuation

Subject - what the sentence is about, the topic of the sentence

Verb - expresses action or connects the subject with other words in the sentence

clause - a group of related words with a subject and a verb

phrase - a group of related words without a subject or verb

a group of words that is puncuated like a sentence but is not actually a sentence

could be missing a verb

could be an incomplete thought

subject > verb > other details

Jim said that he drives only a truck. (He drives nothing else.)

Jim said that only he drives a truck. (No one else drives a truck.)

Jim only said he drives a truck. (He probably doesn't drive a truck.)

Only Jim said that he drives a truck. (No one else said it.)

varied to keep readers interested

main idea in a short sentence

then use longer sentence to elaborate

power in writing

helps understand the written word

joints two or more indeoendent clauses without a connecting word

all sentences have the same importance

He is my best friend; I have known him most of my life.

tells something important will follow

He is my best friend: he helps me through hard times and celebrates good times with me.

marks a sudden change in thought or sets off a

same as parentheses but informal

John-my best friend-lives right down the street.

used to talk about a word

used for emphasis

Of all the people I've ever known. John is my best friend.