C Curriculum Explorer
English·Grammar & Punctuation·conceptual

Grammar for Effect

Analyse the effectiveness and impact of grammatical features in texts read — understanding how authors make deliberate grammatical choices (sentence length, passive voice, fronted adverbials, listing) to create specific effects on the reader

Suggested ages 11–14

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Evidence of understanding

  • Explain how an author's use of short, simple sentences creates tension or urgency in a passage
  • Analyse why an author uses a list of three (tricolon) in a persuasive text and evaluate its impact
  • Identify a grammatical choice in a text (e.g., present tense for immediacy) and explain the effect on the reader

Assessment prompt

When Grammar for Effect reads a piece of writing they admire, can they point to specific grammatical choices the author made — like very short sentences for tension, or a list of three for rhythm — and explain why those choices work?

Standards alignment

RL.6.5US · ccss-ela

RL.6.5

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 6

RL.7.5US · ccss-ela

RL.7.5

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 7

KS3-ENG-GV-1bGB · uk-nc-2013

Study effectiveness of grammatical features

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 3