Why do short sentences create tension

Long sentences - 1 writers create a list of fearful or worrying details, which creates an overwhelming, claustrophobic or intense feeling.

Short sentences - punchy dramatic or abrupt facts are delivered in a shocking way that visually stands out. This can be particularly shocking after a long sentence. Fragments - an incomplete sentence. Sometimes this gives the effect of confusion, ragged thoughts.

The incompleteness of the utterance or phrase can create mystery, which increases suspense. My leg! Here, we know something's very wrong with his leg, but we don't know what. Create mystery by giving incomplete information. If you are qualified for the services, we issue the form CS2 which is sent to your e-mail. In case you are not eligible, we will send you a regret-letter. So remember: Go to our website. Fill CS1. Wait for a response. The short sentences at the end are used to summarize the key points of the whole instruction material.

Although long sentences have the smell of the old-fashioned 19 century romantic prose, the usage of the long sentences in modern creative writing also has right for a life.

Long sentences may be used for several reasons:. To develop tension. While a short sentence is the ultimate sign of the tension, long sentences could be used to develop this tension to a point of culmination. To give vivid descriptions. For example, we may use long sentences when depict nature: Autumn came without special invitation, coloring the tress in orange, yellow and red, whispering the cold in our ears and hiding the warm sun rays from our eyes. To investigate the argument, idea or fact thoroughly.

For instance, when we write about the nature of the humankind, we may use long sentences: The idea that humankind is inherently good is well supported by the facts that all babies are born sinless and the bad features are acquired during the life. In addition, people are creatures of God and God promotes the goodness, grace and charity, while the sins and crime are perceived as aberrations.

To sum up, we may say that short sentences are usually used to show sudden events, summarize main ideas, or grab the attention of the reader to the detail. On the other hand, long sentences may have good effect when we develop the tension, provide lively descriptions or thorough investigation. We heard a gurgling sound that was sweet music in our ears, and, peering around, found a stream of fresh water almost at our feet. A moment later we were down on our knees drinking the pure ice-cold water in long draughts that put new life into us.

It was a splendid moment. This extract finishes with a short, simple sentence to emphasise how pleased the writer is when he and his team find life-giving water. Simple sentences A simple sentence is built from the minimum of a subject and a main verb. For example, a series of short simple sentences used together may be used to create tension, as in this extract: 'We rounded the corner.

Examples of simple sentences include the following: Joe waited for the train. The train was late. Complex sentences join an independent clause with a dependent clause. These sentences are used to show a particular kind of relationship—usually a stronger idea joined to a weaker idea, or a controlling idea joined to a secondary, less important idea.

A clause is a simple sentence. Simple sentences contain only one clause verb group. Complex sentences contain more than one clause verb group. A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent and at least one dependent clause sometimes called a subordinate clause.

When these two types of clauses appear in a sentence, we create a complex sentence. Consider this example: I like to eat the candy before I watch a movie. Complex sentences are sentences that have two clauses. There can be two independent clauses each having a subject and predicate , or an independent clause and dependent clause missing a subject or predicate. Whether a comma is used between them depends on the types and positions of the clauses.

The word used to link an independent clause to a dependent clause is called a subordinating conjunction.