1

A Framework of Analysis of Style (4)

Style Markers in Syntax: Sentence Types

An Introduction to English Stylistics

School of Foreign Studies, South China Normal University

罗朝晖

2

Sentence Types (1):simple and multiple sentences

Simple or multiple? I come, I see, I conquer. This is the room that the pensioner has

rented. I listen to music when I feel upset. The newly arrived old pensioner has

rented a sunny, well-furnished single room with a tiny kitchenette on the second floor of a two-family house at the end of a quiet country lane.

3

Sentence Types (1) Simple sentence — a single independent

clause; it can be intensively (horizontally) complex if most of its phrase constituents are complex (i.e. the complexity is at the phrase level, not at the clause level). e.g.

Multiple sentence — consists of more than one clause. It may be a compound sentence, a complex sentence or a mixed sentence. Its complexity can be either intensive (in terms of the number of coordinated or subordinate clauses) or extensive (vertical, i.e. in terms of the level of subordination) . e.g.

4

1. This is the room ( that the pensioner has rented.)

2. The ( newly arrived old) pensioner has rented a (sunny, well-furnished single) room( with a tiny kitchenette on the second floor of a two-family house at the end of a quiet country lane).

Both sentences are simple sentences; the second has simple structure but is intensively or horizontally complex (i.e. measured in number of words or phrases) at the phrase level, not at clause level.

5

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. (Henry David Thoreau, Walden)

6

(1) I went to the woods (2) because I wished to live deliberately to front the essential facts of life and (to) see (3) if I could not learn (4) what it had to teach (if) and not, …, discover (4) that I had not lived (5) when I came to die.

It is both intensively (horizontally) and extensively (vertically) complex.

7

1. I listen to music when I feel upset.

2. I come, I see, I conquer.

short but complex sentences, multiple sentences, either by subordination or coordination.

8

In a word, both simple sentences and multiple sentences can be complex. The complexity of a simple sentence lies at the phrase level, while multiple sentences can be complex intensively and extensively (i.e. horizontally and vertically, either in terms of the number of coordinated or subordinate clauses; or in terms of the level of subordination).

9

Sentence Types (2):major and minor sentences

Major sentences — conform to the regular patterns of clause structures (as discussed on pp.45-46).

Minor sentences — do not conform to the regular patterns of clause structure, they are irregular in one way or another.(小句 )

10

Some types of minor sentences Give examples of the following(pp.62-64):

1. A unit consisting of a dependent clause structure;

2. A non-finite construction;

3. A phrase;

4. An elliptical sentence;

5. An abbreviated sentence;

6. Block language — e.g.: EXIT, etc.

11

Minor sentences differ from incomplete sentences — sentences in which for some reason (a change of mind of the speaker, an interruption by the hearer, or the strategy of the author, etc.) the speaker never reaches the end of what he intends to communicate.

Questions: What are the functions or effects of minor

sentences? What style? What contexts?

12

Minor sentences are often used in spoken or written conversations, personal letters, diaries, titles, headings, notices, advertisement, etc.. When appearing in literary texts, they serve to retain the speaker’s /character’s styles of speech and express his/her emotion or attitude, which help the reader to get a better knowledge of the character. (my summary)