Really Short Sentences.

There are many literary techniques I have discovered through my reading and writing, and one I've put into use from time to time is really. short. sentences. For example:

A sudden impulse made him stand. If he could catch the robber in the act… He dashed silently forward, across the open space between him and the opposite ticket booth, slowing to a walk as he neared the oblivious criminal. His hand reached for his boot knife. Three steps closer.
The robber was pulling out money now, stuffing wads of cash into a business satchel that sat on the edge of the counter next to him.
Four steps closer. Alen could hear him breathing heavily, and letting out an occasional whispered curse. Blood stained the glass around the jagged edge, the robber must have mishit the speaker hole and cut his wrist on the glass as it shattered. Two steps closer.
The criminal stopped for a moment. Alen held his breath. Another whispered curse, and he continued stuffing cash in.

The short sentences give a tension and dangerous brevity to the whole affair, don't they? Now the whole portion isn't short sentences, so the reader has time to catch their breath between each sentence hit. To pull up another oft-used example of mine; writing duels. Which sounds better?

Farjag turned and swept up his sword in a diagonal arc, crossing over as he did so to bring it smashing back down without a second's pause. His opponent's blade met his in a direct parry as it did so, and he pushed both swords forward, the point of his blade coming dangerously near Farjag's face before he could execute his signature right spin and come up under his opponent's guard with a half-sword stab.

Farjag slashed at his opponent, smashing at the other's defenses with each stroke. Farjag stabbed, the enemy parried. When the enemy finally caught his blade, he spun and ducked under to stab at his unprotected side.

Which sounds better? The sentences are shorter in the second one, there are no pauses to describe complex sword patterns, and there is a much deeper sense of danger and raw power (At least in my opinion :) ). The first one gets bogged down as soon it dives into each individual movement of the swords.

Anyways, you heard all that already from me last post! :P Pet peeve, I guess. But, to return, I often use short sentences at the end of a chapter, to heighten the sense of suspense and give the reader something to remember easily until they read the next one. 

The entire arena hushed for a moment, and Alen felt a sudden grip of fear around his heart. Someone was going to die tonight. And it would all be in good sport.

And with that, I end.

Until next time, 

Farjag