This paper is the final paper for Sara Trechter’s ENGL 375 English Grammar. For this paper students were asked to choose an appropriate prose short piece (paragraph) of writing and analyze the basic clause, phrases, and rhetorical effect of the passage they chose. I selected Daniel Woodrell’s Winter’s Bone on one of the earlier passages of the novel.

 

            The Analysis of a Paragraph connects conventional structures and elements in written English to literary content. For this paper I learned that Woodrell piles up independent clauses, verbs, and adjectives in order to show the relentless force that society and family has on the character Ree and her brothers Harold and Sony. This repletion of structures also creates parallelism between Harold and Sonny and the Dolly men that they are doomed to be. I found it really interesting how Woodrell sets up this passage to describe the Dolly Men, but in the grammar behind it, it is really used to describe how the future of Harold and Sonny. It was also interesting how Woodrell gives Ree active verbs in order to show that she is the only active force in the novel that will escape the relentless force of society and family. I feel this paper demonstrates my ability to understand grammatical structures and evaluate the hidden meanings they imply.

 

I believe this paper satisfies the following program standards:

 

Language, Linguistics, and Literacy:

• Know the conventions, forms and functions of Standard English grammar and sentence structure.

• Recognize the universality of linguistic structures while acknowledging variation arising from differences of time, place and community.

• Learn basic principles of morphology, phonology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics.

• Explain cognitive, affective and socio-cultural as well as first language influences on language acquisition and development, and the role of these influences in developing academic literacy.

• Examine and explain strategies for constructing meaning within the processes of reading and writing.

Literature and Textual Analysis:

• Read, study and analyze works of literature from the canon, including the literature of diversity, from a variety of literary traditions, movements and historical contexts.

• Know and analyze a variety of literary elements, their forms and uses.

• Analyze literary and non-literary texts and understand their structure, content and interpretations.

• Consider and articulate the ways in which literature can engage readers and cause them to reflect on their own experiences and the human condition.

• Reflect on the ways literature can inspire personal and social growth and change.

Composition and Rhetoric:

• Read and study the rhetorical features of literary and non-literary texts, both fiction and non-fiction.

• Analyze rhetorical and structural differences between oral written language to explain relations between speaking and writing.  Study and apply aspects of oral and written composing processes.

• Use and analyze grammatical elements of oral and written English for a variety of rhetorical effects.

• Consistently and accurately apply the conventions of oral and written English.

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