Master the Art of Sentence Structure with These Simple Rules

Sentence structure in fiction writing is very important because of the overall effect it has on a story’s overall tone, rhythm, and readability. It’s an important tool for fiction writers to express their message effectively and keep readers engaged in the story. This guide includes simple rules to help fiction writers master the art of sentence structure to keep readers coming back for more.

Fiction writing can be quite challenging, even for those who have the natural storytelling ability. Stories matter, but so do the details. And one of the most important details that matter in fiction writing is how the sentences are structured. Sentences, when structured correctly, can stir up different emotions in the reader. It’s important for writers to be able to convey their message effectively so that readers can be engaged in the story.

In this post, I’ll cover:

• The meaning of sentence structure
• Why sentence structure is important in writing
• Basic sentence structure rules
• Advanced sentence structure rules
• Tips for writing effective sentences
• Common mistakes to avoid

What is sentence structure?

Sentence structure refers to the way a sentence is constructed or organized. It includes the arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence to convey meaning and express thoughts and ideas effectively.

In English grammar, a sentence typically consists of:

• a subject (the person, place, or thing the sentence is about)
• a predicate (the action or state of being that describes the subject).

The structure of a sentence determines how the subject and predicate are related to each other and to the rest of the words in the sentence.

Why is sentence structure important in writing?

The overall effect of a story’s tone, rhythm, and readability is based on sentence structure. In fiction, the way a sentence is structured can arouse different emotions and create a specific atmosphere within the story.

The choice of sentence structure can determine the readability of the story, or how quickly or slowly the reader moves through the plot. It also affects the overall flow and rhythm of the narrative.

The protagonist or narrator of a story has a voice and sentence structure can help establish that voice. It can set the mood and character development of the story. For example, short, choppy sentences can express tension, urgency, or excitement, while longer, more descriptive sentences can allow readers to slow down and immerse themselves in the setting or characters.

Also, sentence structure can be used to highlight key themes or plot points in a story. By varying the length and structure of a sentence, a writer can emphasize certain ideas or events in the plot and create a more memorable reading experience for the audience.

Fiction writers need to be able to express their message effectively in order to engage readers in the story. Sentence structure is the important tool that makes that happen. It has the power to set the tone, pace, and atmosphere of a story. It’s crucial to creating a compelling narrative that resonates with readers.

Basic Sentence Structure Rules

The basic rules of sentence structure include subject-verb agreement, types of sentences, and punctuation. Correct use of these basic rules of sentence structure can help to ensure clear and effective communication in fiction writing.

• Subject-verb agreement: the subject of a sentence (the person, place, or thing the sentence is about) must agree with the tense of the verb (the action or state of being that describes the subject).
• Types of sentences include simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences.
  • Simple sentences contain only one independent clause.
    • I kicked the ball.
    Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses.
    • I kicked the ball, and it hit Sally.
    Complex sentences contain one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
    • Sally cried because the ball hit her.
  • Compound-complex sentences contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
    • Sally cried because the ball hit her, and I apologized immediately.
• Punctuation marks: periods, question marks, and exclamation points are used to end sentences, while commas, semicolons, and colons are used to separate sentence elements or indicate pauses in speech.

Advanced Sentence Structure Rules

Advanced rules of sentence structure include avoiding sentence fragments, fixing run-on sentences, and using parallelism.

• Sentence fragment: an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or both, and can be confusing or unclear for readers.
  • Ran to the store faster than a rabbit. (Who ran?)
    • You can correct a sentence fragment in 3 ways:
      • Attach the fragment to a nearby complete sentence.
      • Change the fragment by adding whatever is missing (subject, verb, incomplete thought).
      • Rewrite the fragment or the entire passage that contains the fragment.
• Run-on sentences: occur when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions, making the sentence difficult to follow.
  • I love to write stories I would write one every day if I had the time. (There are two complete sentences here.)
    • You can correct a run-on sentence in several ways:
      • Use a period to separate a longer sentence into a shorter one. Just be careful of short, choppy sentences.
      • Insert a semicolon between independent clauses.
      • Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or).
      • Use a subordinating conjunction (because, unless, although) to connect two clauses and create a complex sentence.
• Parallelism: refers to using similar grammatical structures or patterns to create balance and clarity in sentences. Correct parallel structure is important because it makes a sentence easier to read and understand. It allows for paragraphs to flow more smoothly for the reader.
  • Mike stopped at the bank, the grocery store, and ran to the library.
    • You can correct parallelism by putting all the words or phrases in a series in the same form. (Mike stopped at the bank, the grocery store, and the library.)

Following these advanced rules of sentence structure is important to ensure that writing is clear, concise, and engaging. By avoiding sentence fragments, fixing run-on sentences, and using parallelism, writers can produce high-quality work that is easy to understand and enjoyable to read.

Tips for Writing Effective Sentences

There are several tips for writing effective sentences that can help to keep readers engaged and interested in the story:

1. Vary sentence length and structure. Varying the length and structure of sentences adds rhythm and flow to the writing and prevents it from feeling monotonous or repetitive.
2. Eliminate unnecessary words or phrases. Doing this can improve the clarity and precision of the writing.
3. Using active voice instead of passive voice. Using active voice makes sentences more direct and impactful.
4. Use descriptive language and sensory details. Using descriptive language paints a vivid picture for readers.
5. Avoid repetition. Using the same word over and over robs a story of its imagery, making it flat.

By following these tips, writers can create effective sentences that capture the reader’s attention and bring their story to life.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are several common mistakes to avoid in sentence structure that can take away from the quality of reading.

• Avoid using sentence fragments, that lack a subject, verb, or both.
• Steer clear of run-on sentences, which occur when independent clauses are not properly separated with punctuation or conjunctions.
• Use parallelism to create balance and clarity in your writing; avoid mixing different grammatical structures.
• Don’t overuse adjectives or adverbs, which can make writing seem repetitive and dull.
• Use active voice instead of passive voice to make your writing more direct and impactful.
• Beware of confusing homophones, such as “there”, “they’re”, and “their”.
• Be careful not to misuse apostrophes.

By keeping these common mistakes in mind and taking steps to avoid them, you can produce writing that is clear, engaging, and effective.

Find more grammar tips here:

• 6 Crucial Grammar Tips for Fiction Writers