The other day, I was flipping through one of my notebooks where I’ve written down author tips. I came across a page that made me stop and go, “Wow, this is awesome!” Which is probably what I thought when I first found the tip and wrote it down. Unfortunately, I failed to write down the source. I spent a long time doing an internet search on it, but nothing seems to exist. Hence, I probably got this from someone in-person.
So, today we are talking about a new way to look at writing based on sentence function, but I have no clue who first told me about it. Please be aware this isn’t my original idea, and, if it’s yours and you’re reading this, you’re a genius! Let me know, and I’ll credit you for the topic.
1. Summary
The first of five sentence functions in fiction is summary. This is where the sentence exists to summarize a time period, event, or action. Some examples are: he ate breakfast, she read all the files, or they spent the day creating a parade float. Summary sentences are useful to skip over the boring bits of the story that must happen but the readers won’t care to experience.
2. Description
Next, we have description sentences. These are used to convey sensory details and setting. Examples include: her palms sweated, the building loomed over them like an unwelcome exam, or rain pattered on the tin roof. Description sentences are great for grounding readers in the fictional world and making a way for them to sense the story unfolding around them.
3. Blocking
Blocking sentences are all about the action of the story. They convey movement. Some examples are: he raised his hand, she shifted toward the door, the truck parked near the overturned dumpster. These sentences help orient the reader in the setting while also showing the positioning of the characters. Blocking sentences also keep the reader informed about who is doing what.
4. Dialogue
The next sentence function is dialogue. These are any sentences that include a quote from a character. Here are a few examples. “I can’t believe you hit her,” he yelled. “Why are we going to the coffee shop?” she asked. “I’m not interested in a chimpanzee who can tap dance,” he mumbled. These are all sentences solely there to help the reader know what the characters are discussing.
5. Introspection
The last sentence function is introspection. This is any sentence that clues the reader into what’s happening in a character’s mind. They convey interiority. Some examples include: his tone rang hollow like the whistle of wind through an abandon building, she hated me for how beautiful I was, or I can’t believe he actually gave me his number. Introspection sentences give away how the character feels, thinks, and perceives the world. It’s a window into the character that allows readers to feel like they are experiencing the story as the protagonist.
Sentence Function And Story Pacing
The fact that every sentence in a novel can be categorized as one of these five functions is mind-blowing. There are so many sentences in a book, but they can all be simplified into groups. Recognizing these groups can help your adjust your story pacing.
When a reader feels like the pacing is dragging, it’s because there isn’t enough shift in the narration to feel like things are changing. Beyond adjusting what happens in your plot, you can also adjust the type of sentences you use to increase pacing. If you find that you’ve written seven sentences all about description, change some to another type. Add dialogue or blocking sentences. Show some introspection. The change in what kind of information the reader is getting will make the story feel like it’s moving.
Alternately, if readers feel the pacing is too hectic, you might need to stop switching functions so quickly. If every sentence has a different function in one paragraph, it could feel like whiplash. Try diving a little deeper into one category and making a bigger impression. If you want to focus on introspection, take a few sentences to clearly describe what the protagonist thinks of the new coworker and why. Clumping together sentences with the same function will give the pacing a slower feel.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this as enlightening as I did (twice, since I forgot about it the first time). If your pacing feels off and you’ve scoured your plot multiple times yet still can’t find the problem, it might be on a sentence level. Highlight each of your sentences one of five colors for the five function categories, and see what emerges. Sometimes simplifying your writing helps you to see it more clearly.
Thanks for reading!
Write a tale
Leave a trail
0 Comments