LG212-5-AU-CO:
Syntax: The Structure of Sentences

The details
2026/27
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
13 May 2026

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA QQ13 English Language and Linguistics,
BA QQ15 English Language and Linguistics (Including Placement Year),
BA QQ16 English Language and Linguistics (Including Foundation Year),
BA QQ3D English Language and Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
MLINQA16 English Language and Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
BA QQ23 English Language and Literature,
BA QQ24 English Language and Literature (Including Foundation Year),
BA QQ32 English Language and Literature (Including Year Abroad),
BA QQ35 English Language and Literature (Including Placement Year),
BA Q100 Linguistics,
BA Q101 Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
BA Q102 Linguistics (Including Foundation Year),
BA Q103 Linguistics (Including Placement Year),
BA RQ91 Modern Languages and Linguistics,
BA RQ98 Modern Languages and Linguistics (5 Years Including Foundation Year),
BA R114 Language Studies and Linguistics,
BA R115 Language Studies and Linguistics (Including Foundation Year)

Module description

This course is an introduction to theoretical syntax, aiming to understand the ways that we can model syntactic variation in the languages of the world.


This module explores the rules that underlie grammar (word order, agreement, argument structure) and discusses different theoretical approaches to different phenomena. Students will learn elements of Lexical-Functional Grammar and compare that approach to Chomskyan generative grammar.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To provide an overview to syntactic phenomena.

  • To introduce students to how to construct a formal syntactic analysis.

  • To compare different approaches to the analysis of syntactic data.

  • To develop skills in critical thinking and constructing an argument.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Be familiar with the syntactic structures that exist in the world’s languages.

  2. Engage with the similarities and differences between theoretical frameworks to syntax.

  3. Construct a syntactic analysis for linguistic data.

Module information

Syllabus Information 



  • Lexical categories

  • Constituency

  • Tree structures

  • Grammatical relations

  • Passive constructions

  • Control and raising constructions

  • Movement vs lexical analyses

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • 10 x 2-hour teaching sessions.

Bibliography*

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Assignment 1    40% 
Coursework   Assignment 2     60% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Joseph Lovestrand, email: joseph.lovestrand@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Joey Lovestrand
Joseph Lovestrand, joseph.lovestrand@essex.ac.uk, Room: 4.205

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

Dr Roxanne Taylor
University of Huddersfield
Lecturer in English
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Language and Linguistics

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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