In one line: How a writer builds their sentences — long or short, simple or piled-up — controls the pace and points your eye at what matters.
You already feel this when you read.
A long, flowing sentence that keeps adding and adding can feel calm, or breathless. Then a short one stops you.
Like that. Writers build sentences on purpose — here's what to look for:
One clear example of each
Short vs long sentences
‘She stopped.’ hits hard and makes you pause. A long sentence that runs on and on and on can feel breathless.
The shape of a sentence
A fragment (an unfinished sentence like ‘Too late.’) or a sudden question — ‘Why bother?’ — breaks the flow and grabs your attention.
Tense and voice
‘She runs’ (present tense) feels like it's happening right now. ‘Mistakes were made’ (the passive) hides WHO did it — no one takes the blame.
The key move: Don't just say ‘short sentence’. Name the choice, then say what it does to the pace or emphasis — and why the writer wanted that here.
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Why it matters in the exam: Sentence structure is a top-band move: many students only analyse words, so spotting how a short sentence or a piled-up list creates an effect stands out. Name the structure, the effect, and the point.
Analyse the sentence structure: “He checked the locks, the windows, the back door, the oven, the taps, the plug sockets, the locks again. Then he slept.”
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Watch out: Don't just label ‘long sentence’ / ‘short sentence’. Every structure point needs the effect — what it does to pace, emphasis or feeling.