Drafts and Sentence Complexity

Question

Some writing has complex sentence structure. Many times, this is because its authors derived it from drafts that had complex sentence structure already. But I read that writers can combine simpler sentences into more complex ones through sentence combining. Unfortunately, I don't understand how some complex sentences can be represented as simpler ones, especially when the propositions in it are connected by relationships. Because I fail to understand this, I also struggle to see how I can write sentences without attending to their complexity, and then combine them into complex ones. Therefore, I lack the willingness to write. And partially because of this, I do not write.

My question is this: Are sentence complexity and thought complexity always independent, and how can complex sentences which seem irreducible be broken down into simpler ones? If I understand this, I will be more likely to follow an effective writing process, involving ignoring writing style when inventing or drafting, enabling me to write drafts with simple sentences and revise them into drafts with more complex ones.

Answer 1

Complexity of sentence structure is useful when it conveys and reinforces the complex relationship of what is expressed. The structure only lends mild effects, but it does convey some.

For instance,

John and Jane danced all night. They walked home at dawn.

makes the dancing and walking independent and equally important

John and Jane danced all night and walked home at dawn

links the two actions together more.

After dancing all night, John and Jane walked home at dawn.

Because the dancing is in a subordinate clause, it is less important than the walk.

Therefore, if your sentences are just a bunch of simple sentences, which can create a staccato effect, you want to analyze their relationships.

Answer 2

Why do you want complex sentences?

Your text will not gain from it.

The complexity you should have in your text is complex emotions, complex conflict, complex choices, complex dilemmas and problems, complex characters, complex cultures, and on and on.

The sentences should not be complex.

I once heard a writing teacher state about some of his students that they had fallen victim to a perverted pursuit of style.

Complex sentences clearly sort under that category.

Of course, you might be trying to become a Nobel laureate, but to be honest, your life will be better spent trying to evoke emotions and thought in your readers using simple language to show a complex world...

Also, if you're testing your text against a readability index, you should stop.

But if you insist, getting scores for a school age audience is GOOD news, not the opposite...

The genre of a text is much more determined by the subject (and its complexity) than by the mechanical properties of the text.