Skip to main content
Contents Dark Mode Prev Up Next \(
\newcommand{\lt}{<}
\newcommand{\gt}{>}
\newcommand{\amp}{&}
\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}
\newcommand{\fillinmath}[1]{\mathchoice{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\displaystyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\textstyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\scriptstyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\scriptscriptstyle\phantom{\,#1\,}$}}}
\)
Glossary 17.9 Glossary
Absolute phrase.
A noun phrase plus a participle (or other modifier) that modifies the entire sentence rather than a single word. It has its own subject distinct from the main clause’s subject.
Balanced sentence.
A sentence with parallel structures that create symmetry and rhetorical balance.
Cleft sentence.
A sentence restructured to emphasize a particular element, typically using "It was... who/that..." or "What... was..."
End-focus.
The principle that sentence-final position receives emphasis.
End-weight.
The principle that heavy (long, complex) elements are preferred at the end of a sentence.
Extraposition.
Moving a heavy subject clause to the end of a sentence, replacing it with "it" as a placeholder subject.
Given information.
Information the reader already knows from prior context.
Information structure.
How information is arranged within a sentence.
Inversion.
Reversing normal subject-verb word order to place a complement or modifier before the verb for emphasis.
Loose sentence.
A sentence with the main clause first, followed by modifiers.
New information.
Information being introduced to the reader for the first time.
Periodic sentence.
A sentence with modifiers first, delaying the main clause for emphasis or suspense.
Style.
The characteristic way a writer uses language, emerging from patterns of choices.
