high school english mrs. fontana diagramming why do we diagram? diagramming sentences provides a way...
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High School EnglishMrs. Fontana
Diagramming
Why do we diagram?
Diagramming sentences provides a way of picturing the structure of a sentence.
By placing the various parts of a sentence in relation to the basic subject-verb relationship, we can see how the parts fit together and how the meaning of a sentence branches out, just as the branches of a plant extend from the stem in space and time.
Most students who work at diagramming sentences derive a clearer understanding of how sentences work — as well as satisfaction in the pictorial rendering of sentence structure.
Basic Diagramming
We begin, naturally, with the representation of a very simple sentence:
Glaciers melt.
We will place the subject-verb relationship on a straight horizontal line . . .
Glaciers melt
and separate the subject from its verb with a short vertical line extending through the horizontal line.
Single-Word Modifiers
Modifiers (including articles) go under the words they modify on slanted lines (i.e., adjectives and adverbs).
The glacier is melting slowly.
glacier is meltingThe
slowly
Prepositional Phrases (Adj / Adv)
Prepositional phrases are arranged on branches below the words they modify.
Professor Higgins studied glaciers in Antarctica during the 1950s.
Professor Higgins studied glaciers
Antarctica
in1950s
the
during
Compound Subjects and Predicates
With compound subjects and predicates, the sentence diagram begins to branch out.
The professor and her colleagues are studying glaciers and avalanches.
professorThe
colleagues her
are studyinga
nd
glaciers
avalanches
an
d
Compound Subjects and Predicates
Compound verbs are put on branches in a similar fashion.
The professor and her colleagues are studying and classifying glaciers.
professorThe
colleagues her
an
d
are studying
classifying
an
dglaciers
Direct Objects
A direct object follows the action verb on the horizontal line; it is separated from the verb by a vertical line that does not go through the horizontal line.The glacier is slowly destroying the forest.
glacier is destroyingThe
slowly
forestthe
Indirect Objects
Indirect objects are arranged under the main sentence line.
Professor Higgins gave her students two projects.
Professor Higgins gave projects tw
ostudents her
Objective Complements
An objective complement follows the direct object on the horizontal line; it is separated from the DO by a slanted line that does not go through the horizontal line.We elected Joe president of the senior class.
We elected
of
Joe president
the
class
senio
r
Predicate Nouns and Predicate Adjectives
Predicate nouns and predicate adjectives follow a linking verb and are separated from the verb by a slanted line.The glacier is not really dangerous.
glacier isThe
dangerousnot
really
Josiah Budnick is professor a brillian
t
Josiah Budnick is a brilliant professor.
Participial and Adjective Infinitive Phrases
His decision to study glaciers was fortunate.
decision was fortunateH
is to
study glaciers
Studying glaciers, Professor Higgins was intrigued.
ing glaciers
Professor Higgins was intriguedStudy
Gerund and Infinitive Phrases
Gerund and infinitive phrases are displayed on standards — except when the infinitive is an adjective or adverb.
Jorge likes to studyglaciers. Jorge likes
tostudy glaciers
Studying glaciers is fun.
Study glaciers is
fun
ing
Noun Clauses (S, DO, PN, OP, AP)
They thought Thursday was a holiday. (DO)
They thought
Thursday was holiday
Noun Clauses are displayed on standards.
x a
The idea that he could succeed carried him through. (AP of S)
idea ( ) carried him
he could succeed
thro
ugh
that
The
Adjective and Adverb Clauses
God, who created the universe, also controls it. (ADJ)
God controls it also
who created universe the
He is certain that his request will be granted. (ADV)He is certain
his
request will be granted
that
The relationship between clauses in compound sentences is shown with a dotted line.Glaciers are powerful forces, but they move very slowly.
Glaciers are forces powerfu
l
they move slow
l
yvery
but
Compound Sentences
Complex Sentences
Professor Higgins invited Jorge to the conference because he had written the best research paper.Professor Higgins invited Jorge to conference
the
he had written paper
thebest
researc
h
beca
use
Compound-Complex Sentences
They that know God will be humble; they that know themselves cannot be proud. ~ Flavel
They will be humble
they can be proud not
that know God
that know themselves
Independent Elements
Appositives and other independent elements are not grammatically related to the sentence; therefore, they are diagrammed separately from the sentence.
• Appositives
• Interjections
• Direct address
• Parenthetical expressions
• Nominative absolutes
• Expletives (there / it)
Independent Elements
you have met teachers your
new
DavidDavid, have you met your new teachers? (DA)
There is no other answer to the problem. (EXP)
answer is
no
There
other
to problem
the
Be sure to review the rest of the material on DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES in the Grammar & Composition Handbook for any element not covered here.
As a writer, you will be surprised at the additional confidence you gain by mastering these visual renderings of sentence patterns.
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