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Is using a fragment for emphasis allowed

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:18 pm
by weagle87
I would really like to use a short fragment for emphasis, but I don't want to rattle the editors. Any thoughts?

My sentence reads something like this (still writing and editing so this may not be the final idea). "Craving Asian food but faced with swimsuit season, many people toss a spoonful of crispy noodles onto their leafy lunch. Bad idea. Those crispy noodles have x calories, etc."

Re: Is using a fragment for emphasis allowed

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:43 pm
by Isabelnewth
I think you'd be very unlucky to get the article rejected on that basis. I think they'd be more likely to pick on the preceding sentence. But editorial standards are inconsistent so it's at your own risk! I think 10:1 it's okay.

Re: Is using a fragment for emphasis allowed

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:46 pm
by tayalltheway
I've done it before. Not in the exact same context as you, obviously, but I haven't had any issues. I think as long as it's clear it's a stylistic choice and not just having bad grammar, the editors are fairly lax about that sort of thing.

Re: Is using a fragment for emphasis allowed

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:47 pm
by weagle87
Thank you for your input. I picked up an article that is due today, so time is of the essence.

I'm still thinking and editing. More than likely I'll chicken out, but maybe I'll put a note at the bottom. Who knows what I'll change when I finish what I'm working on and go back to it.

Thanks again.