Tag Archives: sentence rhythm

Recently, I’ve found myself listening to late evening radio shows that feature announcers who speak in foreign languages. I used to change the channel when these came on, but have discovered that I enjoy listening to the cadence and rhythm of a foreign tongue. There is a lyrical quality to the ebb and flow of pitch intertwined with the fluency of the spoken word. With meaning removed from the equation, I am free to appreciate the music of language.

I have always felt that it is important to incorporate this quality into one’s writing, and there are a few web resources that say it better than I probably would. Here are the links:

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Common “pitfalls” of sentence structure and how to avoid them:

http://www.mycollegesuccessstory.com/academic-success-tools/superb-sentences.html

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Helpful suggestions for avoiding choppy sentence structure:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/573/03/

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This one is aimed at younger writers, but the content is excellent:

http://www.ttms.org/writing_quality/sentence_fluency.htm

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On the qualities of good prose:

http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/style.html

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Sentence variation and the rhythm of writing:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/159621/how_you_can_write_strong_and_lively.html

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Enjoy!