Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Practice Exam

What is the outcome of employing an asyndetic structure in writing?

1. A smoother, more connected narrative

2. A faster pace by creating a sense of urgency or intensity

3. A more formal tone throughout the text

4. A standardized approach to sentence construction

The correct answer is: A faster pace by creating a sense of urgency or intensity

Employing an asyndetic structure, which involves the deliberate omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses, notably contributes to a faster pace in writing. This omission tends to create a sense of urgency or intensity, as it encourages the reader to move swiftly through the text without the usual pauses that conjunctions provide. This stylistic choice can enhance dramatic effect, emphasizing the speed or rapid succession of ideas. In contrast, the other options reflect different effects that might typically come from other writing techniques. For example, a smoother, more connected narrative would generally rely on the use of conjunctions to link ideas fluidly. A more formal tone might emerge from careful construction and the use of standard conjunctions, thereby maintaining a certain decorum in writing. Lastly, a standardized approach to sentence construction is often characterized by the inclusion of conjunctions and conventional syntactic patterns, which would not be applicable to an asyndetic structure. Thus, the use of asyndeton distinctly contributes to accelerated rhythm and intensity, marking option B as the correct outcome.