What the heck is this called?

[avocado_love]

I'm doing some editing in critique circle and I'm coming across a lot of sentences that start with an action, like this:


Stumbling over the bodies, she tripped and fell.

Looking back over her shoulder, Melissa ran faster.

Gasping for breath, Yolanda looked around.

Hitting her head on the desk, Avocado Love wondered why so many people start their sentences this way.



So, fellow writers and people who are smarter than me. What the heck is this called? I want to put a name to it so I can tell people never, EVER to do it. It's quickly becoming a pet peeve. ;D Thanks!

Comments

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Ha! More often than not, I identify people by their icons. A person teaching English in Japan has an icon just like this one, so I thought this post was by her.

"Boy, she got a lot more comments than her posts usually do... *reads comments* Huh! People using Avatar in their examples! How odd!" Heehee.

Anyway, I'm glad you think it's okay in moderation! I like it when used now and then.

I have no idea what they're called though! Sorry. :D