The issue of sentence length leaves many writers scratching their heads. Short, long, medium length sentences - which are better? Does it make a difference? Why should we pay attention to sentence length anyway?
For one, it adds as much meaning to a text as the words you choose. Sentence length conveys a specific mood and rhythm and matches the actions being described. For example, if you were writing a tense car race, shorter sentences may help heighten the suspense of the scene. On the other hand, longer sentences may work better when writing about complex philosophical abstractions.
Let’s look at a couple examples.
“As the number one car slammed its brakes around the turn, my foot hit the gas, and I swung around him, crossing the
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The longer sentence length creates a nice, flowing structure that leads logically from one idea to the next.
Let’s look at more examples in which short and long sentences can be problematic, followed by some strategies for correcting them.
SHORT SENTENCES
Short sentences are useful for supplying small bits of information. They cut to the chase and emphasize one, maybe two, points. But, their stop-and-start rhythms can make them difficult to read:
“Short sentences are hard to read. They stop and start. What happens when you read them? You feel like you’re stuttering. They break up the thought process. Sometimes they’re useful. Other times they’re not. They’re frustrating. Right?”
How do we stretch out these short sentences so they’re not so clunky? Try lengthening them with conjunctions, which are words that join two sentences, or independent clauses, together.
Specifically, let’s look at coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions include words like and, but, or, nor, for, yet and so. Common subordinating conjunctions include although, because, once, unless, wherever and many, many more. Read a complete list of them
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Although they’re useful for breaking up the thought process, they can be quite frustrating to read. What do you think?”
See how conjunctions create a simple chain of ideas to help round out the sentences’ rhythms? Try using them the next time you find yourself writing sentences that are too short or do not reflect the proper
t length of paragraph and also made them complex that helps reader in understanding the
That is another form of craft moves that Gabrielle Zevin used in her writing. Personally this is my favorite type of craft move. Sentence variety makes the reading and writing better. It makes the reading more interesting and relatable. Sentence variety is relatable because in real life if someone is telling a story and they want it to be dramatic they take pauses and breaths, they also use short sentence fragments.
When the reader first starts reading the text he sees the complexity,but at the same time the simplicity of the sentences making him more intrigued to keep reading and understanding what O'Brien is trying to argue. O’brien sentences are complex in sense of writing but are easy to comprehend,making them more appealing. O’Brien uses a variety of sentences because he knows that too many sentences of the same structure and length can get boring for a reader causing them to get distracted and not understanding O’Brien argument. O’Brien knows when writing this text he has one goal to keep the reader entertained and focused. He does that by putting a variety of sentences that are easy to understand but
The sentence structure consisted of long and complex, short and simple, short and descriptive, long and descriptive, and also consisted of well used imagery. The syntax being used was simple like a child, but also complex like an
In most literature, syntax takes a standard form that most can recognize. Despite this standard form, the author still has a great deal of leeway in developing sentences to create moods and convey thoughts. The author may choose longer sentences or shorter sentences. He or she may use larger words that flow or shorter words that help break up the passage. The possibilities are virtually endless.
1. You don’t need complete sentences if it is easier to make lists or use phrases. Bullet points are a useful tool.
My instructor told us to be a good opera singer, clear enunciation is extremely important.
Sentence structure is very relevant and Trimble expresses this when he writes, “Good writing starts with a profound respect for words – their denotations, their connotations, their force, their rhythm.” (Trimble 54). He is explaining to his readers in hope that they acknowledge how the use of words and their meanings can often be used in several ways to help accentuate their own
Use clear and concise language: Some sentences in the text are long and convoluted, making it difficult to understand the main point. Try to use clear and concise language to convey your ideas. 4. What is the difference between a.. Provide specific examples: When discussing the differences between the film and short story, provide specific examples from each to support your points.
His shorter lines are in relation to his concept of possession of Simmea, or if he is trying to be authoritative because of this sense of possession, of what’s “best,” or what she “should” want. There seems to be a relation between the length of the sentence, and connection to denial or argument, which more complex topics to deal with. His sentences also feel more halting in general, even the short ones where he is attempting to assert some authority or dominance of Simmea. “You don’t have to go. We can stay all night.
They make excellent topic sentences and concluding sentences because they don’t lose the reader. The reader can tell
The short story consists of both short sentences and long sentences. The sentences are short when something dramatic happens and the short sentences make it more dramatic and interesting to read
This makes simple topics much more dramatic and interesting. Different structures of writing will express different information to the
The word 'consequently' contributes to greater unity or cohesion between sentences and allows the text to flow more smoothly.
From my point of view, readers' expectations in writing lead the writers to desire to have the gold standard for success. They, for example, want their next post to become quickly extremely popular or well known and moreover, they wish to sell their first book in large numbers. Furthermore, the writers would just as soon use complex and long sentences. As for as writers are concerned, short sentences are useful for breaking up the thought process, but they can be quite frustrating to read nevertheless. They are under the impression that short sentences are difficult to read because they cause the reader continuously stop and start, making them feel like they’re stuttering. In spite of the fact that they prefer to write long sentences, after a while, long sentences