3.1.2 - Controlling grammar and sentence structures for effect
Sentence control is not about forcing a short, compound and complex sentence into every paragraph. You will learn how accurate grammar protects meaning, then choose sentence boundaries and clause relationships to control clarity, rhythm and emphasis. This matters because a sentence is effective only when its shape serves the idea, reader and purpose.
Protect the meaning
Before a sentence can create an effect, it must let the reader follow the intended meaning.
Main clause
A clause that can carry a complete message on its own: The doors opened.
Subordinate clause
A clause that adds a relationship such as time, cause or condition but cannot carry the whole message by itself: Although the crowd had waited for an hour leaves the reader waiting for what happened.
Earlier writing decisions may already give a paragraph a clear sequence and precise image:
At noon, the old theatre opened. A ribbon of visitors crossed the square. The line of visitors stretch beyond the fountain.
The movement from opening to crowd is coherent, and ribbon presents the visitors precisely, so neither needs replacing. Repair only the grammatical relationship: The line of visitors stretches beyond the fountain. The verb stretches agrees with the singular subject line, not the nearer plural noun visitors.
Shape the reader's attention
Once the grammar is secure, decide how the reader should meet the ideas. Suppose a narrative needs to build unease and then isolate a discovery. One plausible version is:
As the shutters rattled and the wind pushed at the door, Leila told herself the house was empty, until a footprint darkened the dust.
This is grammatical, and its flowing movement could suit a rapid sequence. Here, however, the footprint is the turning point, yet it shares one continuous rhythm with the background details. An expert might instead choose:
The shutters rattled while the wind pushed at the door. Leila told herself the house was empty. A footprint darkened the dust.
The first sentence groups simultaneous background sounds. The second establishes Leila's belief. The final sentence then isolates the evidence that overturns it.
A sentence's length works because of its job and position, not because short sentences automatically create tension.
Guide a draft from error to effect
Sentence revision works best when meaning comes first. Preserve the intended information, repair any grammatical break, and only then reshape the rhythm or emphasis. For the notice below, ask which noun controls each verb, which idea depends on another, and which benefit should remain with the reader:
Continue this lesson.
You’re previewing NovaLearn without an account. Create a free account to read the rest.
Create free account