Grammar

Simple sentences

Simple sentences

Contains one independent clause. Example: “The cat slept.”

Compound Sentence

Contains two independent clauses joined by a conjunction or semicolon. Example: “The cat slept, and the dog barked.” 

Complex Sentence

Contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: “When the cat slept, the dog barked.” 

Compound-Complex Sentence:

Contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Example: “When the cat slept, the dog barked, and the birds sang.

Parallel structure

Ensure elements in a sentence follow the same grammatical form. Example: “She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.” 

Pronoun Antecedents

Ensure elements in a sentence must be clear.

Subject-verb agreement

Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs. Example: “The cat runs.” Vs. “The cats run.” 

Meter

The rhythmical pattern of a poem. 

Rhyme Scheme

The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line. 

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense

Tone

The poet’s attitude towards the subject

Theme

The central idea or message of the poem.

First person

Narrator is a character in the story. Example: “I walked to the store.” 

Third person limited

Narrator only knows thoughts/feelings of one character. Example: “She walked to the store.” 

Third person omniscient

Narrator knows all characters’ thoughts/feelings. Example: “She walked to the store and wondered about the future.” 

Rhyme scheme

Example: ABAB, AABB, etc. 

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as”.