I am asked to describe the "syntax" of a book I am reading. I have looked up several definitions of the word and still do not understand what it means.

2 answers

What book are you reading? Title and author?
http://www.answers.com/topic/syntax

Look at definition #3 in the link above.

If I had that assignment with Grapes of Wrath, I would write about the alternating of content in each chapter. In the odd numbered chapters, Steinbeck is philosophical; in the even numbered chapters, he tells the story itself.

If I had that assignment with Poe's story "The Oval Portrait," I'd be writing about the story within the frame story (or simply the story within the story).

Structure! Syntax!!