Syntax Terminology

simple

a sentence structure containing one independent clause

compound

a sentence structure containing two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon.

complex

a sentence structure containing an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses

compound-complex

a sentence structure containing two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses

loose/cumulative

a sentence structure in which the main clause is at the beginning of the sentence (main clause + subordinate constructions)

periodic

a sentence structure that is organized into at least two parts and expresses a complex thought not brought to completion until the close

convoluted

a sentence structure where the subordinate elements, instead of preceding the main clause, split it apart from the inside.

balanced

a sentence structure in which  two or more words or constructions have essentially the same form and length and have similar functions.

inverted word order

rearranging the main elements of a sentence in some order other than subject-verb-object

antithesis

Opposites set in parallel to balance opposing ideas or heighten the effect of a statement through contrast (what he most dreaded, that I most desired).

telegraphic

a sentence structure that is straightforward with no extra words

anaphora

the repetition of the same term beginning successive clauses

parallelism

two or more words, phrases, or clauses have the same grammatical form and an identical grammatical relationship to the same thing.

epistrophe

the repetition of the same term at the ending of successive clauses.

anadiplosis

using the same term at the end of one clause and at the beginning of the next one.

epanalepsis

when the same word appears at the beginning and the end.

polysyndeton

the placement of a conjunction after every term except the last.

asyndeton

the use of no conjunctions and separation of terms with only a series of commas.

chiasmus

The repetition of words in successive clauses in reverse grammatical order – a mirrored construction (ie. One should eat to live, not live to eat).

zeugma

a special kind of pun that occurs when the verb or preposition has two different meanings (usually concrete and abstract) with objects that complement both meanings (She left his apartment with tarnished virtue and a new mink).