Syntax & Word Order
Cleft Sentence
Splitting a clause to emphasize one part: “It was Ishmael who survived” instead of “Ishmael survived.” The extra structure singles out Ishmael.
“It was Nora who found the letter”: the it-cleft focuses attention on Nora.
Don't confuse it with. A pseudo-cleft uses 'what' ('What he wanted was peace'); both are focus machines, differing in which slot gets the spotlight.
Examples
It was Nora who found the missing letter.
The it-cleft separates Nora from the rest of the proposition to give her emphasis.
It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils.
The it-cleft emphasizes when the event occurred: “on a dreary night of November.”
Often used alongside this device
Explore devices that often appear in the same passages as cleft sentence.
The rest of the family
Hyperbaton Anastrophe Periodic Sentence Cumulative (Loose) Sentence Parataxis Parenthesis Apposition / Appositive Zeugma Hendiadys Pleonasm Enumeration / Accumulatio Passive Voice