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A (Very) Simple Way to Improve Your Writing
- Mark Rennella
It’s called the “one-idea rule” — and any level of writer can use it.
The “one idea” rule is a simple concept that can help you sharpen your writing, persuade others by presenting your argument in a clear, concise, and engaging way. What exactly does the rule say?
- Every component of a successful piece of writing should express only one idea.
- In persuasive writing, your “one idea” is often the argument or belief you are presenting to the reader. Once you identify what that argument is, the “one-idea rule” can help you develop, revise, and connect the various components of your writing.
- For instance, let’s say you’re writing an essay. There are three components you will be working with throughout your piece: the title, the paragraphs, and the sentences.
- Each of these parts should be dedicated to just one idea. The ideas are not identical, of course, but they’re all related. If done correctly, the smaller ideas (in sentences) all build (in paragraphs) to support the main point (suggested in the title).
Most advice about writing looks like a long laundry list of “do’s and don’ts.” These lists can be helpful from time to time, but they’re hard to remember … and, therefore, hard to depend on when you’re having trouble putting your thoughts to paper. During my time in academia, teaching composition at the undergraduate and graduate levels, I saw many people struggle with this.
- MR Mark Rennella is Associate Editor at HBP and has published two books, Entrepreneurs, Managers, and Leaders and The Boston Cosmopolitans .
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The 5 Essentials of Good Writing
Good writing is one of the most powerful tools you can employ when trying to establish yourself as a reliable, trustworthy source. Good writing can help you make a living, convince others to accept your point of view, or inspire strong emotions in your audience.
So then, what makes good writing, well…good? Is it something we just know when we see it? Possibly. Or are there specific elements that lead us to assess someone’s writing as “good”? Usually.
Even accounting for varying tastes, good writing generally contains most, if not all, of the following 5 Essentials:
- Purpose . Good writing is purposeful. It meets a need of some sort, whether that need is entertainment, persuasion, or information. You’re not just throwing a bunch of random ideas onto the page and hoping to stumble upon a relevant point.
- Efficacy. Good writing produces valuable effects, i.e., thoughts, emotions, or actions. Your readers think, feel, or do something meaningful because of your writing.
- Organization. Good writing is organized. Your post, article, or essay proceeds logically from the main idea, to the supporting details, to the conclusion. Every sentence, paragraph, or section expands on earlier information or introduces new facts so that you have little to no repetition.
- Clarity. Good writing is clear. It may not be easy to think about, but it’s concise, precise, and descriptive. You’re writing exactly what you need to convey your purpose. You also use specific, interesting language.
- Mindfulness. Good writing is mindful. You keep the interests, knowledge, and values of your readers in mind as you write. You choose the appropriate tone, point of view, and content so that your readers aren’t bored or confused.
How do the 5 Essentials Help?
Probably the most important rule of writing is to write for your audience. The 5 Essentials help you do that by keeping your text focused, engaging, and relevant. Here’s how:
Organization:
Mindfulness:, who can be a good writer.
I think just about anyone can become a competent writer with a little help. I think most competent writers can become good writers with sufficient practice and the right skills and habits.
Whether you’re a student, blogger, or business owner, writing is critical to your success. Good writing can improve your chances of getting a better grade in school, generating more traffic to your website, or attracting new customers to your company.
How Does Good Writing Help me Sound Like an Expert?
First , good writing develops out of organized ideas. Organized ideas mean you’ve actually spent some time considering your subject. After all, experts don’t just know minute details or facts. They know where the particulars of their topic fit in relation to other, broader matters.
In other words, experts can contextualize their knowledge and writing, i.e., they can show how their ideas fit into a “bigger picture.”
Second , good writing can help you come across as knowledgeable and authoritative. You can show that you’ve got some expertise on the topic at hand. When readers perceive you are demonstrating you know what you’re talking about (instead of just claiming you know), they’re more likely to respond favorably to your writing and to you.
More to Come!
Check back on Thursday for a post on the 5 Skills you’ll want to develop to produce good writing! You can also see my introduction post here and follow me on Twitter .
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