Long sentences vs short sentences?

Edmontonian · Nov 10, 2008

Dear colleagues:

Has anyone listened to the audiobook "Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer's Craft" by Brooks Landon? I'm in the process of listening to it and the author is a staunch supporter of long cumulative sentences. Personally, I prefer shorter sentences, since they deliver the meaning of my thoughts clearly and directly.

What is your opinion? Do you believe long sentences are a better match for certain genre, like literary works, or do you think they can be used efficiently in fiction genre, like suspense thrillers?

Thanks,

ED

NeuroFizz · Nov 10, 2008

Sentence lengths should be just what is needed to write the scene and to convey it to the reader in a pleasing format. Good rhythm (from reading out loud) usually comes from a mixture of long and short sentences. Let the read-it-out-loud test be decider.

Personally, I don't set out to write any sentences in any particular way, unless I'm writing a tense scene and I want to put the reader on edge--then I tend to use short, choppy sentences (well known technique). Descriptive sentences that make use of comparative literary devices tend to be on the long side. But string too many long sentences together and the prose frequently loses rhythm rather than gaining it.

Each author should develop his/her own writing style with this (as with most other aspects of the craft).

Is it genre-dependent? I don't have a clue. As I said, I don't pay much attention to sentence length until I go into the read it out loud edit mode. For some writers, prose rhythm just emerges without any particular effort or agony.

Mr Flibble · Nov 10, 2008

I don't think it's genre dependent per se*. However suspense/ thrillers tend to be fast paced so I suspect you'd use shorter sentences more often. Longer sentences are great for atmosphere though.

I love long sentences, but there are also variations in what the market wants. ( for instance, apparently the US in general prefers shorter sentences to the UK. So I'm informed - in certain genres that is probably less true).

* If I lived in Bournemouth I wouldn't be allowed to use the term 'per se' *boggle*

Mumut · Nov 10, 2008

NeuroFizz said:
... unless I'm writing a tense scene and I want to put the reader on edge--then I tend to use short, choppy sentences (well known technique). .

I agree with this. Read Shakespeare's sonet 'Let me not to the marriage of true minds ....' Where he wants people to mull over and think about something he makes the sentence longer and harder to read. '...life's bending sickle's compass come...' is an example.

scarletpeaches · Nov 10, 2008

One of my favourite sonnets, that.

But, to answer the OP; I prefer longer sentences when the author's going into detail, showing time passing, slowing down the pace. Shorter sentences are good when the action hots up. Few words. Makes it seem jerky.

Claudia Gray · Nov 10, 2008

It depends on your personal style. Hemingway would be sunk without short sentences; Faulkner without long wandering ones. Both geniuses.

And honestly, most of us are going to use a fair amount of both. The audiobook (which I haven't listened to) might be too preachy about the long sentence, but OTOH, it's probably worthwhile to be able to craft some good ones.

maestrowork · Nov 10, 2008

Short sentences: punchier prose, faster pace, simpler structure, more succinct thoughts.

Long sentences: more luxurious prose, slower pace, more complex structure and thoughts.

Like longer or shorter brush strokes in painting.... mix and match and you will achieve the appropriate texture/pace/whatever you want.

Find your style and groove.

KTC · Nov 10, 2008

My honest opinion. I want GOOD sentences. Scratch that. I want GREAT sentences. I couldn't give a rat's ass if they were two words long, or ninety-seven. I only require them to be good. Short is great for the kick and long is great for the sensuality. What I don't like is evenly spaced sentences throughout. That only tells me the writer is trying too hard.

Sean · Nov 10, 2008

maestrowork said:
Short sentences: punchier prose, faster pace, simpler structure, more succinct thoughts.

Long sentences: more luxurious prose, slower pace, more complex structure and thoughts.

Like longer or shorter brush strokes in painting.... mix and match and you will achieve the appropriate texture/pace/whatever you want.

Find your style and groove.

What he said.

Personally, I love to wallow in long luxurious sentences here and there. Sometimes my manuscripts look like the grammar checker in Word puked all over the screen.

Clair Dickson · Nov 10, 2008

But, in my experience, many a long sentence is convoluted and confusing, requiring re-reading to comprehend. And many a short sentence is too short, more fragment then sentence-- and without the requisite information for understanding, even in context.

Vary the length as is appropriate for the story or scene. I tend towards shorter sentences. Mid-length and less. But the most important thing is that you have effectively communicated what you were aiming to do. As said above, write Great Sentences, no matter what the length.

tehuti88 · Nov 11, 2008

I hate when a story is nothing but long involved or run-on sentences.

But I also hate when a story is nothing but really short "Dick-&-Jane" simplistic sentences.

(Both of these, BTW, are the main reason why I can't stand Hemingway's works. But that's another issue entirely.)

I think a middle ground is best. Varying lengths depending on what the story or tone requires. I'm known to get wordy but even I use shorter sentences when the story warrants it. No matter what the genre or tone or whatever.

Whether part of a story warrants a short or a long sentence will depend on so many factors that I needn't bother getting into it. *shrug*

Captain Ian · Nov 11, 2008

Long sentences AND short sentences.
Overuse either of them, and your writing will become tedious. Find your right mix.

KTC · Nov 11, 2008

I would say that to find the right mix is to listen to the rhythm of story. Pay 0 attention to sentence length when writing your story. I have never once contemplated the length of a sentence while writing. I suggest that is the way to go. If you have a rule book that says elsewise, erase the bastard rule from the records. It's one of those ones that following would be a sure-fire way to stunt your creativity and kill the flow. Those who think they know how to, write how-to books. Those who know how to, write.

dpaterso · Nov 11, 2008

Edmontonian said:
Has anyone listened to the audiobook "Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer's Craft" by Brooks Landon?

Alas no. Dare I ask how many bestselling authors this person has taught? Pardon my cynicism. I see too many discussions of "advice" handed out by "experts" who seem to know little more than the next guy. I'm an advocate of "do whatever works for you."

What is your opinion? Do you believe long sentences are a better match for certain genre, like literary works, or do you think they can be used efficiently in fiction genre, like suspense thrillers?

Yes, probably.

I find myself writing shorter, sometimes fragmented sentences when my POV character has to slow down to think about something, and/or gets struck by realization. Which may be one of a dozen rough rules of thumb to guide sentence lengths. Or to at least suggest there should be variance.

/opinion

-Derek

maestrowork · Nov 11, 2008

dpaterso said:
Which may be one of a dozen rough rules of thumb to guide sentence lengths. Or to at least suggest there should be variance.

Everyone knows every sentence should be exactly 42 words long.

dclary · Nov 11, 2008

Except on Saturday, when 19 is also acceptable, if there's a word ending in "y" in it.

dclary · Nov 11, 2008

Brooks Landon's quick bio on his Iowa U. website seem to favor sentences of medium length, with at least one comma.

The ways in which people interact with science and technology seem to be at the heart of my scholarship, my teaching, and my service to the Department and the University. My last two books have explored constructions, representations, and implications of science and technology in science fiction film and in science fiction literature. Most of my classes either focus on various literary responses to technology or ways in which American culture has made technology, usually constructed as progress, one of its central concerns. Most of my classes also employ learning technologies, study electronic textuality, and require multimedia writing. And I've been deeply committed to helping the Iowa English Department figure out how technology will revolutionize the way we do business in the twenty-first century. In short, I'm fascinated by what comes next.

Whoa! A sentence that doesn't have a comma! A sentence that starts with "AND!" (I start sentences with "and" all the time, and mock those who tell me it's uncouth.)

That paragraph is mostly medium length sentences, with a relatively short sentence to end. That doesn't seem to jive with how you've described his ideal sentence in his text.

dpaterso · Nov 11, 2008

maestrowork said:
Everyone knows every sentence should be exactly 42 words long.

And yet when I told you that, all those years ago, you took a prima donna hissyfit. Now you're passing the advice along as if you're the source! Sheesh.

dclary said:
That paragraph is mostly medium length sentences, with a relatively short sentence to end. That doesn't seem to jive with how you've described his ideal sentence in his text.

The last sentence is 8 words! 8 words!! And two of them are "In short"

-Derek

FennelGiraffe · Nov 11, 2008

Two consecutive sentences start with "Most of my classes".

The first of those also contains a misplaced "either".

:Jaw:

I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!

ishtar'sgate · Nov 11, 2008

Edmontonian said:
Dear colleagues:
What is your opinion? Do you believe long sentences are a better match for certain genre, like literary works, or do you think they can be used efficiently in fiction genre, like suspense thrillers?

Thanks,

ED

I think both have their place in most genres. The best way to see if your sentence length is doing the job is to read your work out loud. If you're trying to draw out suspense, say, long sentences can do that. If you want to increase your pace or shock the reader in some way, short sentences can do that. Every story has its own rhythm. If you read it out loud you can see where you've broken rhythm.

kuwisdelu · Nov 11, 2008

Differently-length sentences will read differently, even if they're saying the same exact thing. One does belong in any genre any more than any other, although particular forms may be more common in some. Let the pace and tone dictate the sentence length. It will just feel right.

HarrisLiteraryscamsu · Nov 13, 2008

The Fizzer and Cap’n are on the money here. A work has to breathe; strings of long sentences will tamp you down, continuous short sentences will make you hyperventilate (metaphorically speaking). As experience grows, rereads will dictate a short line here, a couple of long lines there, without any actual rule-following. Gourmet writing make gourmand reading. Same with punctuation, and with paragraphs for that matter—probably even more so for paragraphs. Nothing abets tiresomeness so much as half-page paragraphs.
Mix it up.
Then again, terseness works universally best in thrillers, especially the spy genre, and extended lines grow naturally out of descriptiveness. But maybe zeitgeist is all that matters: Tolkien has to be the most tedious writer ex-alive, Rowling the most amateurish; yet they’re gods. A strong sense of infantilism, a decent spell-checker, and you’re off to the races.

Long sentences vs short sentences?

Edmontonian

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

scarletpeaches

Claudia Gray

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Sean

Clair Dickson

A dark core to every cloud

tehuti88

Mackinac Island Fanatic

Captain Ian

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

dclary

Unabashed Mercenary

dclary

Unabashed Mercenary

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

FennelGiraffe

It's green they say

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

HarrisLiteraryscamsu