Chapter 4- Lesson 2, Syntax in Writing: Definition & Examples

When writing a cover letter the syntax should be:

All answers are correct. If you are writing a cover letter for a job, it is important that your writing is professional and clear in style and attitude. Thus, your syntax - or arrangement of words - must strictly follow grammatical conventions and be straightforward in structure.

If you are writing a poem, your syntax can be:

All answers are correct. If you are writing a poem, your syntax can be more open-ended. A free use of punctuation, rich figurative language and unexpected sentence structure might be features of your poem's syntax.

Which of the following statements is true?

An author's syntax is determined by the purpose for his or her writing. It is true that an author's purpose - or why one writes - is going to determine how structured and formal the author's syntax must be.

Which of the following is NOT a syntactical consideration?

Syntactical considerations include sentence structure, punctuation usage and creative elements like similes and metaphors. Word choice is NOT a consideration.

Which of the following BEST describes syntax?

The decision as to how to arrange the words in one's writing After selecting the right words to convey his meaning, a writer must arrange these words to best express his intent, or what he means to say. This arrangement of words is syntax: the ordering of words to say what needs to be said.