Word order in Shakespearean Writing
When Shakespeare wrote his prose, he often used a slightly different word order than we are used
to. The subject, verb, and object did not always follow in a 1, 2, 3 order. Look at the following
sentence. Rewrite the sentence four times, changing the word order each time. Put one word on
each blank provided below the original sentence.
Original Sentence: I lost my homework.
Rewrite #1: Lost I my homework
Rewrite #2: My homework I lost
Rewrite #3: Lost My homework I
Rewrite #4: Homework I lost my
Look at each of your rewritten sentences above. Has the meaning of the original sentence changed?
No matter how you word it...you're toast if your homework is lost!
Now, think about how Yoda speaks in the Star Wars Movies. We understood exactly what he was saying, even though the word order was slightly different than what we are used to hearing. It's your turn to makeup a short sentence like the one above and rewrite it several different ways. Does the meaning change with the rewrites? Share your sentences.
Original Sentence: Draw your bloody sword.
Rewrite #1: Your bloody sword draws.
Rewrite #2: Bloody sword you draw.
Rewrite #3: Sword you bloody draw.
Rewrite #4: Swords draw you bloody.
When Shakespeare wrote his prose, he often used a slightly different word order than we are used
to. The subject, verb, and object did not always follow in a 1, 2, 3 order. Look at the following
sentence. Rewrite the sentence four times, changing the word order each time. Put one word on
each blank provided below the original sentence.
Original Sentence: I lost my homework.
Rewrite #1: Lost I my homework
Rewrite #2: My homework I lost
Rewrite #3: Lost My homework I
Rewrite #4: Homework I lost my
Look at each of your rewritten sentences above. Has the meaning of the original sentence changed?
No matter how you word it...you're toast if your homework is lost!
Now, think about how Yoda speaks in the Star Wars Movies. We understood exactly what he was saying, even though the word order was slightly different than what we are used to hearing. It's your turn to makeup a short sentence like the one above and rewrite it several different ways. Does the meaning change with the rewrites? Share your sentences.
Original Sentence: Draw your bloody sword.
Rewrite #1: Your bloody sword draws.
Rewrite #2: Bloody sword you draw.
Rewrite #3: Sword you bloody draw.
Rewrite #4: Swords draw you bloody.
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