Structure of a Sentence: How It Connects to Storyboarding
When you learned grammar in school, you probably came across the structure of a sentence. It may have seemed like dry rules back then, but sentence structure is actually the foundation of clear communication. Without it, our words can sound confusing, messy, or incomplete.
But here’s the fun twist: the way we build sentences is very similar to how we build storyboards. At Murphy, our storyboarding app, we’ve seen that whether you’re writing a line of dialogue or sketching a scene, having the right structure keeps your story clear and engaging.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- Sentence structure definition (what it actually means)
- Different sentence formats with clear examples
- What is a structured sentence and why it matters
- How sentence structure examples can inspire storyboarding
- The creative connection between words and visuals
What is Sentence Structure?
Sentence structure definition: The way words are arranged in a sentence to express a complete thought.
Every sentence has at least two key elements:
- Subject (who or what the sentence is about)
- Predicate (what the subject is doing, usually includes the verb)
For example:
The cat (subject) sleeps on the couch (predicate).
This is what we call a well-formed sentence—it has a clear subject and a clear action, so it makes complete sense.
When you don’t follow the proper structure, you might end up with fragments like:
- Running in the park. (Who is running?)
- The dog and the ball. (What about them?)
These fragments don’t communicate a full idea. That’s why structure in a sentence is so important.
Why Structure in a Sentence Matters
Think of sentences as the building blocks of communication. If they’re messy, your message falls apart.
A structured sentence is clear, logical, and easy to understand.
An unstructured sentence confuses readers and breaks the flow.
Compare:
❌ Going quickly the boy ran school to.
✅ The boy ran quickly to school.
The second one follows a proper sentence format (subject + verb + object), so it communicates the idea instantly.
The same is true in an online storyboarding maker—if your scene doesn’t follow a clear flow (who, what, outcome), your audience won’t get it.
Different Types of Sentence Structures (with Examples)
To understand sentence formats better, let’s look at the four main types of sentence structure in English.
1. Simple Sentence
A sentence with one subject and one predicate.
- She reads books.
- The dog barked.
- I love pizza.
In a storyboard, this could be one frame: one character, one action.
2. Compound Sentence
Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
- She reads books, and he writes stories.
- The sun set, but the city stayed alive.
In a storyboard, this is like two frames connected—two actions happening in sequence.
3. Complex Sentence
An independent clause + a dependent clause.
- I stayed home because it was raining.
- She smiled when she saw her friend.
In a “Digital storyboarding creator“, this is one main action with context: “Because it rained (background), she stayed home (main action).”
4. Compound-Complex Sentence
At least two independent clauses + one or more dependent clauses.
- I wanted to go for a walk, but it was raining, so I stayed inside.
- She cooked dinner, and he set the table while the kids played.
In storyboarding, this is multiple frames with layered meaning—actions overlapping, scenes flowing together.
What is a Structured Sentence?
A structured sentence is one that follows the rules of grammar and sentence format to express a complete thought.
The most common pattern is:
Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)
Examples of well-formed sentence:
- The teacher (subject) explained (verb) the lesson (object).
- The bird (subject) built (verb) a nest (object).
To define sentence structure in the simplest way: it’s the skeleton of a sentence. Once you have the skeleton, you can add details (adjectives, adverbs, phrases) to make it more vivid.
Examples of Sentence Structure in Action
Let’s look at more examples of sentence structure to see how it works in real life.
Basic Sentence (SVO):
- The hero saves the city.
- The chef cooked pasta.
Adding details (adjectives/adverbs):
- The brave hero quickly saves the city from danger.
- The Italian chef carefully cooked fresh pasta.
Changing sentence format:
- Simple: The cat sleeps.
- Compound: The cat sleeps, and the dog watches.
- Complex: The cat sleeps while the dog watches.
- Compound-Complex: The cat sleeps, and the dog watches while the bird sings.
See how the meaning expands with different sentence formats? The same idea applies in storyboarding website—you can keep it simple (one frame, one action) or expand into complex sequences.
How Sentence Structure Connects to Storyboarding
Here’s where Murphy comes in.
Both sentences and storyboards share the same logic:
Subject = Character in your storyboard
Verb = Action they’re taking
Object/Result = What happens next
Example:
- Sentence: The detective opens the door.
- Storyboard: Frame shows the detective (subject) opening (verb) a mysterious door (object).
Another one:
- Sentence: The child dropped the ice cream because he tripped.
- Storyboard: Frame 1 – Child walking with ice cream. Frame 2 – Child trips. Frame 3 – Ice cream falls.
By starting with well-formed sentences, you can easily transform your ideas into structured storyboards inside Murphy.
Why Good Structure Sparks Creativity
Some people think rules kill creativity. But actually, structure gives your creativity direction.
- In writing, a clear sentence structure makes your message stronger.
- In visuals, a clear storyboard structure makes your story flow better.
Just like a house needs a blueprint, your stories need structure—both in words and in visuals.
How Sentence Structure Affects Tone & Style (Formal vs. Informal Writing)
Sentence structure directly shapes the tone and style of your writing. In formal writing, sentences are often longer, more complex, and grammatically precise. Example: The committee has reached a unanimous decision regarding the proposal.
In informal writing, sentence structure is usually shorter, simpler, and conversational.
- Example: We all agreed on the plan.
By adjusting sentence length, complexity, and word order, you can shift the tone from professional and authoritative to casual and friendly.
Sentence structure in creative writing vs. professional writing
The role of sentence structure in creative writing vs. professional writing is very different.
In creative writing, sentence structure is flexible—you can experiment with fragments, rhythm, and unusual formats to create mood and style. Example: Silence. Then footsteps. A door creaks open.
In professional writing, sentence structure is more structured, clear, and direct. The goal is precision and efficiency.
- Example: The report will be submitted by Friday.
Understanding the difference in sentence structure in creative writing vs. professional writing helps writers adapt their tone to the audience. While creative writing thrives on artistic freedom, professional writing values clarity and correctness. This balance is key when switching between storytelling and business communication, making the study of sentence structure in creative writing vs. professional writing essential for versatile writers.
Quick 4 Tips for Better Sentence Structure
- Keep it simple first. Start with Subject + Verb + Object.
- Vary your formats. Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to keep writing interesting.
- Be clear, not cluttered. Avoid unnecessary words that confuse the meaning.
- Use structure for storytelling. Write a sentence, then imagine how it looks as a storyboard frame.
Final Takeaway
The structure of a sentence is more than grammar—it’s the backbone of clear communication. Once you understand sentence structure definition and different sentence formats, you can write better, think clearer, and even storyboard more effectively.
At Murphy, we help you take those structured sentences and turn them into living, breathing stories. Because whether it’s words on a page or frames on a storyboard, structure is what makes creativity come alive.
FAQs on Sentence Structure and Storyboarding
What is the structure of a sentence?
The structure of a sentence refers to how words are arranged to form a complete thought. A standard structure includes a subject (who or what), a verb (the action), and sometimes an object (who or what receives the action).
- For example: The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).
What is sentence structure definition?
Sentence structure is the grammatical framework that organizes words into complete, meaningful thoughts. It usually includes a subject, a verb, and sometimes an object.
How many types of sentence structure are there?
Four main types of sentence structure exist:
- Simple Sentence – One independent clause. (The boy runs.)
- Compound Sentence – Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. (The boy runs, and the girl laughs.)
- Complex Sentence – One independent clause + one dependent clause. (The boy runs because he is late.)
- Compound-Complex Sentence – At least two independent clauses + one dependent clause. (The boy runs, and the girl laughs because the joke was funny.)
What is the sentence format?
The most common sentence format is Subject + Verb + Object (SVO).
- For example: The chef (subject) cooks (verb) pasta (object).
Other formats exist, but SVO is the backbone of English sentences.
How to define sentence structure?
You can define sentence structure as the set of rules that determines how words and clauses are combined to form clear, complete, and meaningful sentences.
How do you analyze sentence structure?
To analyze sentence structure, break it down:
- Identify the subject (who/what).
- Find the verb (action).
- Look for objects, complements, or modifiers.
- Determine if the sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Example: The child (subject) read (verb) a book (object) because it was interesting (dependent clause). → This is a complex sentence.
Why is sentence structure important in writing?
Sentence structure is important because it brings clarity, flow, and variety to writing. Structured sentences prevent confusion, keep readers engaged, and make communication effective.
How to vary sentence structure for better writing?
To make writing engaging:
- Mix short and long sentences.
- Use different sentence formats (simple, compound, complex).
- Start some sentences with phrases or dependent clauses.
- Apply parallel structure to keep sentences balanced.
What is the parallel structure in sentences?
Parallel structure means using the same grammatical pattern for related ideas. Example:
❌ He likes reading, to swim, and biking.
✅ He likes reading, swimming, and biking.
Parallel structure improves readability and rhythm.
What is inverted sentence structure?
Inverted sentence structure flips the normal word order, often for emphasis or questions.
- Normal: The sun rises in the east.
- Inverted: In the east rises the sun.
What is periodic vs cumulative sentence structure?
- Periodic sentence: The main idea comes at the end. (Because it rained all night, the match was canceled.)
- Cumulative sentence: The main idea comes first, followed by details. (The match was canceled because it rained all night.)
What are sentence fragments and run-ons?
- Sentence fragment: An incomplete thought. (Running fast in the park.)
- Run-on sentence: Two or more independent clauses joined incorrectly. (He runs she walks, they talk.)
Both need correction for proper sentence structure.
How do you turn a sentence into a storyboard?
To turn a sentence into a storyboard:
- Identify the subject (character).
- Find the verb (action).
- Add the object/result (outcome).
Sentence: The detective opens the door.
Storyboard: Frame showing detective (subject) opening (verb) a mysterious door (object).
What is the structure of a storyboard frame?
Just like a sentence, a storyboard frame has structure:
- Character (Subject) – who the scene is about.
- Action (Verb) – what they are doing.
- Outcome (Object/Result) – what happens.
How does sentence structure help in storyboarding?
Good sentence structure makes it easier to write clear shot descriptions.
Each storyboard frame can start as a structured sentence: Hero (subject) runs (verb) toward the tower (object). Murphy then turns that into a visual sequence.
How to avoid confusing descriptions in storyboarding?
Use short, clear sentences.
Stick to one subject and one action per sentence.
Avoid long, run-on descriptions.
Instead of: The hero runs, jumps, fights, then escapes while the villain laughs.
Write: The hero runs toward the gate. He jumps over the wall. The villain laughs from behind.
How do clauses connect to storyboarding?
Clauses in sentences show relationships—just like scenes in storyboarding.
- Independent clause = one full frame (main action).
- Dependent clause = context or detail added to that frame.
Example: The boy ran (independent) because he was late (dependent). → One frame with context.
What mistakes to avoid when writing storyboard descriptions?
- Writing overly long sentences.
- Using vague subjects (someone, thing).
- Forgetting action verbs.
- Mixing too many ideas in one sentence.
Keep it simple: The teacher enters the room. → Frame is clear.
