Sentence Types, Text Structures, and Literary Devices
Sentence Types
According to the speaker’s intention, there are seven types of sentences:
- Declarative: Used to report facts or ideas. Example: He wanted to be an actor. Declarative sentences can be affirmative or negative.
- Interrogative: Used to ask something. Example: Do you know what time it is?
- Exclamatory: Used to express surprise, joy, wonder, sadness, etc. Example: How delicious this cake is!
- Hortatory: Used to give orders or to prohibit. Example: Come here right now.
- Optative: Used to make wishes. Example: I wish we could go to the circus.
- Dubitative: Used to express uncertainty. Example: I may call later.
- Possibility: Used to talk about a probable fact or express an assumption. Example: Maybe it will clear up later.
Sentence Voice
Based on the voice of the verb, sentences can be:
- Active: Sentences with an active voice verb where the subject performs the action. Example: Subject: The workers, predicate: finished the work.
- Passive: Sentences with a passive voice verb where the subject receives the action. Example: Subject: The work, predicate: was completed by the workers.
Sentence Structure
Depending on the number of verbs, sentences can be:
- Simple: Sentences with a single verb form, whether simple or compound. Example: I will go to the movies this afternoon.
- Compound: Sentences with more than one verb phrase. Example: I told you today I would be late.
Ellipsis Usage
Ellipses are used in these cases:
- To indicate that an enumeration or a sentence is incomplete. Example: We have to buy oranges, pears, watermelon…
- To indicate a pause expressing surprise, fear, or doubt. Example: Grandpa, yesterday, your music box… it broke. Remember that an ellipsis consists of three dots.
Narrator’s Point of View
Before telling a story, the narrator’s position must be established. The narrator can participate in the story as a character, speaking in the first person, or remain a spectator, using the third person.
Text Structure and Types
Texts are complete messages transmitted orally or in writing. There are many kinds of texts, but they all share certain characteristics:
- Texts are complete messages, containing all necessary information for understanding.
- Ideas in a text are presented in order, with well-structured statements.
- All statements in a text relate to the same subject.
- Statements are interrelated.
Types of Texts
Five different text types are usually distinguished:
- Narrative: Tells a true or fictional story.
- Descriptive: Shows the traits of things, objects, places, etc.
- Dialogue: Exchanges information between multiple parties.
- Expository: Explains facts, concepts, or phenomena.
- Argumentative: Defends a reasoned opinion.
Literary Devices
Dash
Used to introduce a character’s words in a dialogue. Example: “Tomorrow we will go to the movies.”
Quotes
Used to reproduce someone’s exact words. Example: The critic said, “An unforgettable work.”
Parentheses
Used to insert clarifying information like dates, locations, or explanations of acronyms. Example: Robert was born in Paris (France).
Informal Language
Colloquialisms
Words and expressions used only with people you trust. Example: The movie was cool.
Slang
Words or expressions that should never be used because they are incorrect. Example: Incorrect: I dropped the pen. Correct: I dropped the pen.
Poetry
A poem is a complete message in verse. There are two kinds of poems:
- Stanzaic Poems: Verses are grouped into stanzas. Example: The sonnet.
- Non-Stanzaic Poems: Verses are not grouped into stanzas. Example: The romance.
Sonnet
A poem consisting of fourteen hendecasyllabic lines grouped into two quatrains and two tercets. The rhyme scheme of the quatrains is always ABBA ABBA. The rhyme scheme of the tercets can vary.
Romance
A poem composed of an indefinite number of eight-syllable verses, where only the even-numbered lines rhyme, using assonance.