Long Versus Short Sentences When Writing Your Dissertation
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How long dissertation sentences should be, the problems caused by sentences that are too long or too short, how to vary sentence length for rhythm and emphasis, and before-and-after revisions.
The short answer
Neither long nor short is better on its own. Aim for clarity and variety. Most clear academic sentences fall roughly between 15 and 25 words. Use a short sentence to emphasize a key point, and a longer one to connect related ideas. Avoid strings of very long sentences, which overload readers, and strings of very short ones, which sound choppy and disconnected (Williams & Bizup, 2017).
Problems with long sentences
- The main subject and verb get lost among clauses.
- Readers must hold too many ideas in memory at once.
- Run-on sentences and comma splices become more likely.
- Key points are buried in the middle.
| Too long (62 words) | Revised |
|---|---|
| “Nurse burnout, which has been studied extensively in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, when many hospitals experienced severe staffing shortages that increased workloads and limited time for patient care, has been associated in numerous studies with outcomes such as turnover, medication errors and lower patient satisfaction, which suggests that organizations need to address burnout in order to improve patient safety.” | “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have studied nurse burnout extensively. Severe staffing shortages increased workloads and limited time for patient care. Burnout has been associated with turnover, medication errors and lower patient satisfaction (Author, Year). Addressing burnout is therefore a patient-safety priority.” |
Problems with short sentences
- Writing sounds choppy and simplistic.
- The relationships between ideas (cause, contrast, sequence) are not shown.
- Readers have to work out the logic themselves.
| Too choppy | Revised |
|---|---|
| “Telehealth expanded in 2020. Many patients used it. Rural patients had problems. They lacked broadband. Some could not access care.” | “Telehealth expanded rapidly in 2020, and many patients adopted it. However, rural patients often lacked broadband access, which prevented some from receiving care.” |
Techniques for clear sentences
- Put the subject and main verb near the beginning, and close together. “The intervention reduced falls…” is clearer than “The intervention, which was implemented on three units over a period of 12 weeks with support from the quality department, reduced falls.”
- One main idea per sentence, plus closely related details.
- Cut wordy phrases: “due to the fact that” becomes “because”; “at this point in time” becomes “now”; “in order to” becomes “to.”
- Use transitions to combine short sentences logically: “however,” “therefore,” “because,” “although.” See Best ways to create transitions.
- Use lists or parallel structure for several items: “The program included mentoring, simulation and peer support.”
- Use a short sentence for emphasis after a longer explanation: “The gap is clear.”
- Prefer active voice, which is usually shorter and clearer (see active vs. passive voice).
How to check your sentence length
- Read aloud. If you run out of breath or lose track, the sentence is too long.
- Highlight sentences over 35–40 words and look for places to split them.
- Look for clusters of three or more very short sentences and combine them.
- Use readability tools, such as Word’s readability statistics or the Hemingway Editor, as a guide rather than a rule.
Tip: Complex ideas do not need complex sentences. Doctoral writing is judged on the sophistication of your thinking, not on how long your sentences are.
Conclusion
Write sentences that are as long as the idea needs and no longer. Vary their length for rhythm and emphasis, and revise any sentence that makes a reader work too hard. Next: Best way to create transitions between ideas in your dissertation.
Doctoral Writing series
- Series introduction
- How to Introduce Your Doctoral Thesis: Writing a Strong Dissertation Introduction (Chapter 1)
- Formatting Your Dissertation: APA 7 Rules, Section Order and Checklist
- Table of Contents in a Dissertation: What It Is and How to Create One
- What Is an Academic Voice? A Guide for Doctoral Writers
- Should I Write My Dissertation in Passive or Active Voice?
- General Paragraph Structure in Thesis Writing: The MEAL Plan
- Long Versus Short Sentences When Writing Your Dissertation (you are here)
- Best Ways to Create Transitions Between Ideas in Your Dissertation
- Analyzing vs. Synthesizing Ideas: Key Differences for Doctoral Writing
- Reference Page Do's and Don'ts: APA 7 Reference List for Your Dissertation
- What Are High-Quality Resources for a Thesis Paper?
- How to Balance Scholarly Voice with Citing Research
- Common Writing Challenges Doctoral Students Struggle With (and How to Overcome Them)
References
Williams, J. M., & Bizup, J. (2017). Style: Lessons in clarity and grace (12th ed.). Pearson.
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