Literacy | Are One-Sentence Paragraphs Throwing Literacy a Curveball?

One Sentence Paragraphs

The short answer is “yes.” 

One-sentence paragraphs throw literacy a curveball. They greatly simplify the syntax. Understanding syntax is essential for literacy at any age. Syntax deals with how to arrange words and phrases to create well-formed sentences. When it is incorrect it leads to unclear sentences. 

Below is the original first paragraph of “The Cask of Amontillado,” an Edgar Allan Poe short story. 

The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled — but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

In the current marketing and social media style, Poe’s rewrite could be something like this:

I endured many injuries from Fortunato as best as I could. But when he insulted me, I vowed revenge.  You understand my nature and know I didn’t make an empty threat.  Mark my word, in time I’ll take revenge—and without risk. 

The wrong remains unaddressed if anyone discovers my payback attempt.

The wrongdoer must endure the same pain as me to make it right.

Writing in one-sentence paragraphs can affect reading comprehension, especially when reading complex texts. One-sentence paragraphs make content more engaging and easier to read for those skimming. But you can’t skim Poe. And a student may need to write about Poe's writing. Poe is only intelligible when the syntax is understood, especially the correct pauses.

Consider the atmosphere of the original vs. the redo. The first is ominous--the second is not exciting.

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