What is good writing?

May 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Good Writing is presenting relevant information to the reader in a manner that is easy to understand. Technical Writing uses clear, and plain English. Following the rules of grammar alone will not ensure good writing.

Writing begins with idea, words are instruments to express these ideas. Arrangement of words expresses the relationship between the ideas. Rules of grammar is ever evolving, it is changing even today. A look into the past clarifies that these rules of grammar is changing according to the usage.

Effective Writing thus involves far more than simply following the grammar rules, and punctuation marks. Effective writing is an art, craft and also a science. Using appropriate structure, words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs ensure appropriate communication.  
Why are people afraid to use Plain English?

Using a plain language on company website or brochure is not a wrong practice. Writing plain English is not just using short and specific sentences it is about clear writing, effective organization of ideas and good presentation of information. Well written copy is not just reader friendly. They are very informative.

Conjunctions and its use in Writing good English

Conjunctions play a very important role in combining paragraphs, sentences and even ideas. Simple conjunctions like – for, and, not, or, yet, so etc… have less than four letters. Another type of conjunction is dependent conjunction which is used before the dependent clause to relate to the rest of the sentence. Some of them are after, although, whenever, whereas, while if, so that, than etc….

Active voice and its use in Writing good English

Passive Voice makes the writing wordy and static. Good writing allows the subject to perform the action, means verb remains in present tense. Sentences usually follow – Subject - Verb – Objective format. Another skill to use active voice is to write directly to the reader.

Why prefer active voice to passive voice -
-Direct and easy to follow
-Easy to understand sentences
-Clear and Forceful
-Emphasize on the Subject/Doer

Wise use of Prepositions

Prepositions just relate nouns or pronouns with other words. Avoid use of dangling prepositions, omit unnecessary prepositions.
Some useful prepositions are – about, next to, through, across, next to etc...

Use of Transitions

Skill full use of transitions and conjunctions not only links sentences and paragraphs but also alerts the reader about change in the idea. Transitions are basically used while introducing an idea or an example, indicating a contrast in the idea or thought, and finally also to indicate conclusions.

Gender Neutral Language

He, His, or Him were the general indicators of human race including man and women. But today using gender neutral language clears the confusion.

It is advised to omit troublesome possessive pronouns.
Incorrect – Every member of the team is expected to carry his water-bottle.  
Correct – Every member of the team is expected to carry a water bottle.

The rule of KISS

KISS means – Keep it Stupidly Simple. Writing simple is difficult. But writing simple doesn’t mean there is no explanations required. Rule of KISS allows the writer to be elaborative wherever required, but even that should be simple, simple for a school kid to understand.

To write simple every writer should
Be Concise
Avoid Repetition
Avoid Jargon
Follow Brevity
Eliminate Dead Words
Avoid Lengthy Words
Do not repeat ideas
Avoid Roundabout Constructions
Use imperative tone
Avoid Oxymorons

# # #

Write Right is a 360 degree communication studio. We provide apt solutions in print and internet forms of communication. Write Right delivers lucid and precise content,
targeted and creative graphic designs to achieve universal appeal.