Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Periodic vs Cumulative Sentences

Periodic Sentences have the stem clause at the end.  This sentence pattern uses a delay to create anticipation and suspense, climax or ironic anti-climax.

Example:  Ignoring the imprecations of the gardener, pushing by the numbskulled narrator Nelly, and storming like a newly released bull primed for insemination into his childhood playmate's bedchamber, Heathcliff arrived.
 ---------------------------------------------------
Cumulative sentences have the stem clause at the beginning, followed by a series of clauses or phrases in parallel structure.  These sentences allow the writer to layer detail upon detail to unveil depth of insight and mastery of sentence fluency.

Example: Catherine waited in the storm for Heathcliff to return, her resolution never faltering, even as, moment by soaking wet moment, the fact of his self-imposed exile sunk into her once-beautiful, now thoroughly bedraggled head.


No comments:

Post a Comment