Sentence Structure Part-2

Welcome back, one-and-all. Today we're completing the sentence structure post series, learning about the rhythm of sentences. My previous post was about the 4 structures of a sentence, and how to write them correctly; now, I'm going to show you the rhythm associated with the structures, which will give the reader a clean flow from beginning to end.

Simple sentences are usually just comprised of subject and verb, so they have a quick, choppy rhythm when in succession. A man ran to the store. The man came back. Just these two simples sentences makes it choppy and boring, but A man ran to the store, then came back. delivers a better rhythm, giving it a better read.

Complex sentences are informative and fancy, but too many in succession can also detract from your writing's readability. A man ran to the store, soon he came back. He cooked us dinner, when he returned. He was a stranger, because I've never met him. Notice how it bogs your eyes down, and it eventually gains a slow rhythm. Break it up a little with a Compound sentence. A man ran to the store, and he came back. He cooked us dinner, when he returned.

Compound sentences can also drag down the rhythm of writing, if too many are used back-to-back. A man ran to the store, and he soon came back. He cooked us dinner, but he was a stranger. I've never met him, but he seems nice. Usually, you can just throw in whatever sentence you want. It goes the same for Compound-Complex sentences, which can be broken up by any other structure.

With rhythm of sentence structure, it mainly depends on your ear, for you often have to read it out loud, before you can hear the rhythm. Also remember, moderation with the styles is never a bad thing. If you feel it doesn't need a particular structure, don't fret you have four to choose from. Once you've mastered rhythm, readers will follow your prose seamlessly from beginning to end, and they will be fascinated with every well picked word.

C. A. Daniel