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The Education of J.H.S.

Syntax

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by
shortstoryfan
, 03-04-2011 at 01:14 AM (1916 Views)
The Ninth Edition of A Glossary Of Literary Terms (Abrams) defines it as "the study of the way that sequences of words are ordered into phrases, clauses, and sentences" while John Drury's The Poetry Dictionary describes it as "the arrangement of words in a sentence; the tactics of word order." Lately, the words come up in interviews with poets I've read (Carl Phillips and Linda Gregerson), but I don't really understand how it can operate in a poem--or, I don't know how to use this function in my own poems. I'm able to clearly see the difference syntax can make when presented with an example, but I have not actively used syntax other than to change a couple of word orders here and there.

I don't think every poet can actively use all the tools available to them in their poetry. I think every poet has a set of tools that comes naturally (or can be honed easily) that helps distinguish their work--but I'd still like to get a stronger grasp on syntax, since so many poets I admire use it to their advantage.
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  1. qimissung's Avatar
    When you figure it out, let me know. I have the same problem.

    Good blog.
  2. shortstoryfan's Avatar
    Another topic mildly related to this that I forgot to mention is the power of the beginning and endings of stanzas. Because to me, syntax is a change of what you hear first and last...and I was once told that strong images are best at the beginning or ends of stanzas, lines, etc. If you have a very strong image, you want to do some kind of break to let the reader absorb it.
  3. TheFifthElement's Avatar
    I think a really great example of the power of syntax comes from Wordsworth's Daffodils, specifically the line I wandered lonely as a cloud. So the story goes that Wordsworth originally wrote the line as 'I wandered as a lonely cloud' and his wife, when transcribing it, changed it to the line that is now so well known.

    It's a great example of how a small change in syntax, the simple movement of the word 'as', can have a significant impact on a piece of poetry. There's nothing wrong with the line, 'I wandered as a lonely cloud', it's a good line but it's not a great line. 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' is a great line. Shifting the words around can create a different rhythm, a different emotion, a different sensation in poetry. That's all syntax is about. Experiment with some lines you've written, and see how a shift in syntax has the power to transform them.
  4. Buh4Bee's Avatar
    Fifth- I think that is a great example. I think just playing around.
  5. Virgil's Avatar
    It's nothing to get over worked up about. Syntax is word order. Play around and you'll find the right word order for your purposes.