Sentence Structure and Effect in Prose

Transitive verbs express actions that directly affect an object. They show the transfer of action from the subject to the object.

Personal pronouns used as direct objects in transitive sentences don't add new information but refer back to a previously mentioned person.

In transitive sentences with a personal pronoun object, the emphasis usually falls on the verb, not the pronoun.

Multi-syllable pronouns as objects can either carry the stress, share it with the verb, or have no stress at all.

Noun phrases as direct objects introduce new information and therefore attract the stress.

Transitive verbs can be used to express a wide range of actions, making them versatile and important in language.

Short sentences can be effective at introducing a new topic or paragraph, often serving as the topic sentence.

Short sentences are often used to introduce a new paragraph, concisely stating the main idea.

They are typically simple in structure and meaning, highlighting the central idea of the paragraph.

Experienced writers vary sentence lengths dramatically, creating contrast and emphasis.

The shortest sentence in a paragraph is often the most essential, directly stating the main idea.

In expository writing, the topic sentence is often a concise summary of the paragraph's main point, best expressed in a short sentence.

The use of short sentences, often in sequence, can work as punctuation, marking a shift or break within a paragraph.

The practice of varying sentence lengths can greatly enhance the rhythm and impact of a paragraph, making it more engaging and memorable.

In equative clauses, a prepositional phrase can be added before and after the equal sign to emphasize the meaning and create a more complex understanding.

A pair of sentences with adjective modifiers can be used to create a strong and memorable finale by emphasizing the relationship between the two concepts.

The repetition of a noun can serve as a rhythmic device, highlighting the passage of time or other concepts.

Equative clauses can have different nouns as subject and complement, creating an aphoristic effect, which is a short, pithy statement that expresses a general truth or observation.

The predicate noun can be repeated and redefined using a conjunction like "yet" to emphasize the contrast between the original statement and its redefinition.

The "be" pattern can be used to create a synecdoche, where a part represents the whole. This often involves using the part to represent a person's character or quality.

Adjectives can function as nouns in an equative pattern, creating a concise and poetic expression that emphasizes the comparison between two qualities.

Equative clauses are sentences that use the "be" verb to express equivalence or identity between two concepts.

Short sentences can create a dramatic impact, highlighting the author's emotional response to the story.

Long sentences can be used to explain a complex concept or provide a detailed description.

Short sentences can be used to drive home a key point in an argument or explain a concept simply and directly.

The way an author chooses to structure sentences (short or long) can affect the reader's understanding and emotional response to the text.

The author uses personal experiences and specific details to illustrate the concept of enduring success, contrasting it with the traditional understanding of success.

The author emphasizes the importance of feeling fulfilled, making a positive impact, and leaving a legacy as key components of enduring success.

The way someone uses language can reveal their cultural background and how they experience the world.

The author uses the phrase "Habia agarrado malospasos" to express a sense of not fitting in with traditional expectations.

A short sentence, especially when placed within a longer sentence, can create a strong impact and emphasize a specific idea or feeling.

Short sentences, even when used as part of longer sentences, can create a focused and impactful effect.

Repeating a short sentence within a passage emphasizes the importance of the idea it conveys. It can make the point stand out and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Using a short sentence after a series of longer sentences can create a sense of contrast and highlight the significance of the shorter sentence. This technique draws attention to the key idea.

By strategically placing short sentences within longer sentences, writers can create vivid and compelling descriptions. The short sentences act like exclamation points, highlighting specific details.

Using a short sentence in isolation can create a feeling of calmness and tranquility, making the reader pause and reflect on the presented idea.

When a short sentence is placed within a longer sentence, the short sentence can serve as a central idea or a key element that stands out and draws the reader's attention.

Writers can use a combination of short and long sentences to create a dynamic and engaging rhythm. The juxtaposition of sentence length adds to the overall impact of the writing.

A noun phrase that acts as an appositive is a group of words that renames or explains another noun or noun phrase. It's set apart by punctuation like a dash or comma.

A long noun phrase that acts as an appositive can be separated from its main clause by punctuation marks and can encompass numerous words, often elaborating on a previous noun.

This type of appositive often emphasizes a point by appearing after a buildup of preceding elements, providing a final and significant clarification.

The nominative absolute is a grammatical construction that has a noun phrase and a partial predicate (a verb or verb phrase). It modifies the main clause of the sentence, though it's not a part of it, and is often separated from the sentence by a comma.

A nominative absolute usually has a noun phrase with a partial predicate and modifies the main sentence.

Nominative absolutes are often used to show a simultaneous action or circumstance related to the main clause.

Use nominative absolutes to provide additional context, background details, or information about the setting or action.

Nominative absolutes can be a great way to create a more vivid and detailed description in your writing.