Most of the writers, especially ESL Writers – English as Second Language Writers, face the problems of creative effective, sentences with great flow while writing a fictional story. On the surface it may not seem like a big problem, but when you really think about it, a sentence is practically the most basic unit in a novel, so how do you think sentences won’t have an effect on the overall narrative? Not paying enough attention to each and every sentence is what leads to bad writing!

In order to make it easier, I am beginning with the most basic types of sentences before explaining the topics of Fragmented Sentences and Run-On Sentences.

3 Types Of Sentences That All Fiction Writers Must Know

1. Simple Sentence

A Simple Sentence is a sentence consisting of only one clause, with a single subject and predicate.

So a Simple Sentence should have these basic 3 things: A subject, a verb and should make a complete thought.

Examples of Simple Sentences:

1. Do you play piano?
2. The bus leaves every morning at 5:00 AM.
3. Water freezes at 0°C.
4. I love my cat.

2. Compound Sentence

A Compound Sentence is a sentence consisting of two or more verbs and two or more simple sentences joined by a conjunction.

So a Compound Sentence must have 3 things: 2 or more verbs, 2 or more simple sentences and at least one conjunction.

Examples of Compound Sentences:

1. I like coffee, and Seema likes tea.
2. Suzan went to work, but Sid went to the party, and I went home.
3. Our car broke down and we came last.
4. You can go for the Yoga class and I will go to the gym.

3. Complex Sentences

A Complex Sentence is formed by adding one or more subordinate or dependent clauses to the main or independent clause using conjunctions and/or relative pronouns.

NOTE: A clause is a simple sentence.

Examples of Complex Sentences:

1. Because my tea was too cold, I heated it in on the stove.
2. Although she was wealthy, she was still unhappy.
3. They returned the computer after they noticed it was damaged.
4. Whenever prices go up, customers buy less products.