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How does a cadence connect separate sentences or fragments in prose?
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In the context of prose, a cadence functions as a rhythmic constant that binds separate sentences and fragments together into a unified, flowing surge of feeling.1
Rather than relying on the strict, regular metre found in poetry, prose often utilizes these loosely structured rhythms to create aesthetic coherence. By establishing a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllablesâoften reinforced through repetition, alliteration, or assonanceâa writer can link disparate grammatical units. This rhythmic repetition creates a sense of expectation and continuity, allowing the reader to perceive individual sentences and fragments as part of a larger, cohesive musical or emotional movement.1