The reason why sentences of varying lengths is easier to read is simply because that’s how we speak. And when we speak, we use sentences of varying lengths and pauses in varying places for effect.
Long sentences—especially those with non-restrictive modifiers, conjunctions and other “moving parts”—are best for demonstrating relationships. For example, that previous sentence makes it clear that the information inside the paired dashes is a “bonus explanation” of the main clause or root sentence.
Short sentences create emphasis. Think of the shortest sentences: Run! Look. Come on. These command sentences create urgency. Other short sentences also catch attention. But too many short sentences can make you sound like a self important TED Talk. Not all sentences can be the most important.
In brief, vary your sentences and do so strategically: longer sentences for ideas that have complicated relationships to other ideas and shorter sentences to create emphasis.
poopnugg2345 on January 16th, 2020 at 12:56 UTC »
For anyone wondering, the tutorial isn't originally from amazon.
tenbatsu on January 16th, 2020 at 13:20 UTC »
This text is usually attributed to Gary Provost.
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/373814-this-sentence-has-five-words-here-are-five-more-words
uselessfoster on January 16th, 2020 at 13:23 UTC »
A little bonus info about sentence variety:
The reason why sentences of varying lengths is easier to read is simply because that’s how we speak. And when we speak, we use sentences of varying lengths and pauses in varying places for effect.
Long sentences—especially those with non-restrictive modifiers, conjunctions and other “moving parts”—are best for demonstrating relationships. For example, that previous sentence makes it clear that the information inside the paired dashes is a “bonus explanation” of the main clause or root sentence.
Short sentences create emphasis. Think of the shortest sentences: Run! Look. Come on. These command sentences create urgency. Other short sentences also catch attention. But too many short sentences can make you sound like a self important TED Talk. Not all sentences can be the most important.
In brief, vary your sentences and do so strategically: longer sentences for ideas that have complicated relationships to other ideas and shorter sentences to create emphasis.