College Composition CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Which type of sentence structure is considered persuasive in essays?

1. Simple

2. Compound

3. Complex

4. Compound-Complex

The correct answer is: Complex

In essays, a complex sentence structure is considered to be more persuasive because it allows for a more sophisticated and detailed expression of ideas. Simple sentences (A) and compound sentences (B) can be effective, but they are often limited in expressing complex thoughts and arguments. Compound-complex sentences (D) can also be useful, but they may be more difficult to construct effectively and can risk losing the reader's attention. Therefore, in the context of writing persuasive essays, complex sentence structure (C) is generally preferred as it allows for a more nuanced and convincing presentation of ideas.