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> This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The
by hug 6y ago
> This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.
Gary Provost.
- zhte415 6y agoExcellent.
- solarmist 6y agoDo you have a source for this? I mean besides the author’s name. I’d love to read more about that. I’ve recently start taking my writing seriously, but I feel like this is what I’m tending towards if I’m not careful.
- hug 6y agoIt's from "100 Ways To Improve Your Writing", I believe. It's full of decent advice. Some bad. Some good. Some that is insightful in ways you might never have thought of by yourself. Good luck.