What effect does varied sentence length have in expository writing?

• A. It helps control pace and emphasis.
• B. It makes the text harder to follow in all cases.
• C. It has no impact on readability.
• D. It should be avoided in formal writing.

Answer: (A)

Varying sentence length shapes pace and emphasis in expository writing. Short sentences deliver a point quickly, keeping key ideas crisp and easy to grasp. Longer sentences let you lay out reasoning, provide evidence, or describe steps in more detail. The contrast between quick, direct lines and more extended explanations creates a rhythm that guides the reader through the argument and signals what matters most. This variation also helps readability by avoiding monotony and smoothing transitions between ideas. In formal writing, using a mix of sentence lengths is appropriate and often desirable, not something to avoid.