How Long Should a Sentence Be?

How Long Should a Sentence Be?

They say writing is the best representation of freedom and that people do it to express themselves without regard for rules and conventions.

But there’s a difference between writing to express and writing to convince.

Effective writing, whether for business or entertainment, academic or personal, requires an understanding of how to craft clear and impactful sentences. And while there’s no one “right” way to do this, there are some general guidelines you must follow to ensure your sentences pack a punch.

For anyone hoping to become an effective writer, understanding how to construct a well-crafted sentence is essential, and everything begins with knowledge of sentence length.

So, the first sensible question is how long a sentence should be? Once you get a feel for the appropriate answer, you can start breaking down the rules of thumb and find your unique voice.

Having said that, the answer to that question isn’t as cut and dry as you might think. While there are some guidelines you can follow, the truth is that the perfect sentence length is indicative of the situation.

The “Reader” Factor

Writing is almost always about the reader. Who will be reading your work?

If you’re writing for a more technical or academic audience, you’ll want to err on the shorter side.

The reason is that longer sentences can be difficult to follow, especially if the subject matter is complex.

In these cases, shorter sentences are better because they allow the reader to digest the information easier.

On the other hand, if you’re writing for a more casual audience, then you have some leeway to play with sentence length.

In general, longer sentences are okay because they create a more natural flow.

Be careful not to go overboard; too many long, choppy sentences in a row are typically difficult to get through.

The key is to find a balance that works for you and the type of writing you’re doing.

For instance, novels often contain longer sentences because the reader is meant to get lost in the story.

On the other hand, blog posts or articles are typically shorter because readers are looking for quick, digestible information.

It’s also worth noting that different languages have different conventions regarding sentence length.

For example, shorter sentences are more common in English than in languages like German or French.

This is due to several factors, including grammar and word choice.

When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of shorter sentences. This is especially true if you’re writing for an audience that might not be native English speakers.

Purpose of a Sentence 

Aside from the reader, the purpose of your writing will also dictate sentence length.

For instance, if you’re writing something meant to be read aloud, like a speech or poem, you’ll want to pay attention to the rhythm of your sentences.

In these cases, shorter sentences are often better because they create a more natural cadence.

This is why many poems are written in short sentences.

On the other hand, if you’re writing something that’s meant to be read silently, like an essay or a novel, then you have more leeway to play with sentence length.

Punchy Versus Lyrical

Shorter sentences are punchier, while longer ones are more lyrical.

So, if you want your writing to pack a bit more of a punch, go with shorter sentences. Conversely, longer sentences are your best bet if you’re aiming for a more poetic or lyrical effect.

Most literary works are comprised of longer sentences, while news articles tend to be shorter.

This is because the former seeks to create a certain feeling, while the latter needs to impart information as efficiently as possible.

It’s all about understanding the desired effect and using sentence length to achieve it.

Be reminded that this is different than choppy versus flowing. Choppy writing is full of short, disconnected sentences that don’t flow well together. Lyrical writing, on the other hand, can still have shorter sentences; it just has a more lyrical flow.

The Risk of Reduced Comprehension in a Sentence

You might risk sounding like a broken record if you’re constantly churning out short, choppy sentences. This can be frustrating for readers because it disrupts the flow of the writing and makes it difficult to follow.

Furthermore, if your sentences are too short, some readers may find it difficult to comprehend your message effectively. Generally, it’s best to avoid sentences that are fewer than eight words.

While you don’t need to aim for the longest sentence possible, you should still strive for something in the middle range; around 15-20 words is a good, sweet spot.

But remember this: the more words you add to your sentence, the likelier you’ll reduce comprehension.

How’s that possible?

Research by the American Press Institute revealed that people comprehend more information when presented in shorter sentences than longer ones, at least in newspaper reading.

The study used over 400 newspapers to find a link between reading comprehension and the average number of words in a sentence.

It revealed that the readers (respondents) understood 100% of the story in which the sentences comprised eight words or less.

On the other hand, readers only understood 10% of the story in which the sentences comprised at least 40 words.

The Value of Variety in a Sentence

Of course, mixing things up is the best way to keep your reader engaged.

Just as you would vary the sentence lengths in your writing, you should also vary the word choices, sentence structure, and difficulty level.

This creates a more dynamic reading experience and helps to keep the reader engaged. After all, who wants to read the same thing repeatedly?

The best writers are the ones who know how to keep their readers guessing.

So, if you want to be an effective writer, acknowledge the need to vary the length of your sentences according to the situation. Doing so will create more dynamic, interesting, and enjoyable writing.