Sentence Structure Looking at sentence structure means looking at the
type of sentences the writer has used. Are they short,
simple sentences? Or are they long and complex, with
a lot of clauses and phrases? Or does the writer use a
mix? Does every sentence sound the same, or is there
variety in the word order and structure? Is the com-
plexity or simplicity of the sentences at the right level
for the readers?
Read the following sentences and then answer
the questions that describe their sentence structure.
A. The meeting began. Mr. Thomas described the
policy. Then, Mr. Underwood spoke in favor
of it. Afterward, Ms. Villegas spoke against it.
B. After the meeting, when everyone had already
left the room, Ms. Villegas stayed behind to
speak with Mr. Thomas. She carefully
explained her position on the new policy,
hoping she’d get him to change his mind.
1. Which version uses simple sentences?
a. version A
b. version B
2. Which version uses the same sentence structure
throughout?
a. version A
b. version B
3. Which version uses complex sentences?
a. version A
b. version B
4. Which version varies the sentence structures,
using different kinds of sentences?
a. version A
b. version B
You probably noticed that version A is the one
that uses simple sentences with essentially the same
sentence structure throughout. (You might also have
noticed that these sentences sound rather dull because
they are so simple and unvaried.) In version B, the
sentences are far more complex with more variation
in their structure.
Degree of Detail and Description When you look at degree of detail and description, ask
two things:
1. How specific is the author? Does he write “dog”
(general) or “Labrador retriever” (specific
detail)? Does she write “some” (general) or
“three and a half pounds” (specific detail)?
2. How much description does the author provide?
Does he write “Mr. B is my manager” (non-
descriptive) or “Mr. B, my manager, is a tall man
with piercing eyes and a mustache” (descriptive)?
Or, does he go even further: “Mr. B, my manager,
is six foot ten with eyes that pierce like knives
and a mustache like Hitler’s” (very descriptive)?
Try your hand at deciding whether words are spe-
cific and descriptive or general and nondescriptive.
