The Overall Effect

Worksheet Description

This Consulting Syntax References worksheet is designed to help students intentionally vary their writing syntax to create a specific overall effect in their text. It asks students to contemplate the tone and meaning they wish to convey in a passage and then consult authoritative texts on English usage, such as “Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage” or “A Dictionary of Modern English Usage,” for advice on achieving these goals. The worksheet has spaces for students to write down their intended tone and meaning, followed by the syntactic strategies suggested by the references.

The worksheet’s objective is to teach students how to use syntax as a tool to influence the reader’s interpretation and reaction to a piece of writing. It encourages students to think deeply about the purpose of their writing and to actively seek out expert guidance on effective sentence construction. By completing this exercise, students will learn to make deliberate stylistic choices that align with their writing goals, enhancing their ability to communicate their ideas with precision and nuance.