The Composer
Syntax & Prosody
Syntax
1. Fronting for Impact
Moving an element (Adj, Adv, Participle) to the start of the sentence to change the dramatic focus.
Standard: "The night was strange."
C2: "Strange was the night."
Prosody
2. The Periodic Sentence
Creating suspense by delaying the main clause (Subject + Verb) until the very end.
Standard: "I finally quit my job after months of stress."
C2: "After months of stress and sleepless nights, I quit."
Rhythm
3. Cadence & Pause
Using punctuation not just for grammar, but for "breath." A dash (—) creates a longer, more dramatic pause than a comma.
"He didn't just fail — he crashed."
Dramatic Reading 🎙️
Notice the word order.
| Gone | were the days of comfort.
| Never | had we seen such a storm.
| Standing alone in the rain || was a child.
| Never | had we seen such a storm.
| Standing alone in the rain || was a child.
🔍 Analysis:
- "Gone were the days" (Fronting Adjective) - Puts emphasis on the loss.
- "Standing alone..." (Fronting Participle) - Sets the scene before revealing the subject (the child).
Style Check 🧐
Choose the most dramatic/nuanced version.
1. Change: "The castle stood on the hill."
2. Create a Periodic Sentence: "I succeeded because I worked hard."
3. Identify the effect: "Tired though he was, he kept going."
Mission 📝
Write with impact.
Scenario: The Review
You are writing a review of a movie or book you loved. Do not say "It was good."
Rewrite these basic sentences:
-
1. The acting was beautiful.
➔ Beautiful was the acting. -
2. The ending was shocking.
➔ Shocking was... -
3. I have never seen such a film.
➔ Never have I seen...