GROW #2: Intentional Use of Fragments We have discussed that a fragment is an incomplete sentences, and the problem with fragments is that it makes your reader stop reading. Generally, we want to avoid writing fragments. Sometimes, however, authors intentionally use sentence fragments to emphasize their writing or convey something harsh or disjointed. Dive into a few intentional fragment sentences made by professional writers to convey a specific message (underline them): "I'm home, but the house is gone. Not a sandbag, not a nail or a scrap of wire." "The Vietnam in Me," The New York Times Magazine by Tim O'Brien “Bryan Smith, the owner and operator of the Dodge van, came over the crest. He wasn’t on the road; he was on the shoulder. My shoulder.” On Writing by Stephen King "He looked levelly at the great red face across the desk. 'It's a remarkable case-history. Galloping paranoia. Delusions of jealousy and persecution. Megalomaniac hatred and desire for revenge.’" Moonraker by Ian Fleming “I would later hear through the grapevine that I was a solid dancer but not really Bearkadette material. No bows. No shine. No group. No friends. Nowhere to belong.” Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown Although usually assumed to be a grammatical mistake, as you can see in the examples, fragments of sentences can be used deliberately to lend more meaning to words or impart a specific tone. Having said that, sentence fragments should always be reviewed to make sure they don't need to be revised to carry a complete thought, and like any stylistic choice, they should be used purposefully and sparingly.
