Is it incorrect to use a sentence fragment to answer a question?

Question

In an English essay, I wrote: > What am I looking at? People enjoying themselves? I lost points for using a sentence fragment. Is it truly incorrect to use a sentence fragment this way?

Answer 1

This is a perfectly acceptable fragment usage in many forms of writing, but it does produce a somewhat more colloquial tone when contrasted with strict usage of full sentences. It seems that whoever graded your essay simply has a strict stylistic standard for the course or that particular assignment.

Answer 2