How can published writers get away with broken sentences in paragraphs?

[Happy Rat]

It's been a while since I paid attention in class, much less went but it seems like I remember a teacher saying that even inside of a paragraph that's all the way through talking about the same thing each sentence must stand alone and make sense on it's own - is that a hard and fast rule to writing or just one my teacher made up to condition us? I ask because I noticed some sentences that are definitly not complete in a few books I've been reading and it's driving me nuts that I can't remember something so simple. Thanks.

 

[spunkynut]

Yes it is a rule. However, its allowed. The other rule is "You have to know the rules before you can break the rules."
Once a writer has 'proven' themselves(usu by being published so their style etc is known), they can break the rule-for a purpose. The mistake stands out; the purpose for doing so stands out, making their writing more effectual.

Hope that helps!

 

[Madison Renee]

Yes, it is a rule. But authors do that to connect with young adult readers. Of course us sad little students get counted off for making fragments or describing the same thing over again. Sigh.

 

[Shannan]

Well, grammatically it's wrong, but often when told from a certain character's point of view, it's not. For example, if you wrote in a paper for class "Hope you liked my gift" it would be wrong. However, people, when thinking or talking to each other, often don't say or think "I hope you like my gift" all the time. They often say/think "Hope you liked my gift." It's all matter of who is speaking or thinking (in terms of characters). Hope that helps clear things up a little bit.