Library Guides

Interactive Rubric for Written Communication: 6. Syntax

This guide will help you understand common conventions of academic writing and the application of marking rubrics

SYNTAX

Criteria

1. 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. 1.5.	PURPOSE Topic Thesis (Argument) Context Audience Genre
2. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.4.1. 2.4.2.	CONTENT Information & Data Conceptual Knowledge Examples & Illustrations Sources Relevance Authority
3. 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7.	ANALYSIS Logic Evidence Specificity Creativity Criticality Reflexivity Evaluation
4. 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4.	STRUCTURE Section Paragraph Sequence Cohesive Ties
5. 5.1. 5.2. 5.2.1. 5.2.2. 5.2.3. 5.2.4. 5.3. 5.4. 5.4.1. 5.4.2. 5.4.3. 5.5. 5.6. 5.6.1. 5.6.2. 5.6.3. 5.6.4. 5.6.5. 5.7. 5.7.1. 5.7.2. 5.8.	STYLE Clarity Tenor Mood Mode Narrative Form Active/Passive Voice Tense Vocabulary Academic Technical Inclusive Language Literary Devices Referencing Citations Reference List Quotations Application Paraphrasing Formatting Font Spacing Length
6. 6.1. 6.1.1. 6.1.2. 6.1.3. 6.2. 6.2.1. 6.2.2. 6.2.3. 6.2.4.	SYNTAX Sentences Fragments Run-on Sentences Agreement Word Classes Pronouns Prepositions Articles Conjunctions
7. 7.1. 7.2. 7.2.1. 7.2.2. 7.2.3. 7.2.4. 7.2.5. 7.2.6. 7.2.7. 7.3.	MECHANICS Spelling Punctuation Apostrophes Full Stops Capitalisation Quotation Marks Commas & Colons Abbreviations Other (e.g., Hyphens) Editing

Definition (formal)

Syntax describes the rules that govern the order and form of words in a sentence.

Definition (informal)

Syntax: What goes where in a sentence?

Resources (textbook)

Refer to the textbook pages and sections to improve your knowledge and understanding of the criterion.

The Little Penguin Handbook
Call Number: eBook
Publication Date: 2014
Read pages 220-259
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Call Number: 150.149 AME 2020
Publication Date: 2019
Read pages 123-124

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2025 10:08 AM
URL: https://libguides.jcu.edu.au/irwc
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Subjects: Academic Success, Education, Writing Skills

Tags: education, information_literacy, literacy, writing

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