The document discusses how to write effectively and outlines seven key traits of good writing: ideas, organization, voice, sentence fluency, word choice, conventions, and presentation. It emphasizes that good writing has clear, consistent ideas that flow in a logical progression from point to point. It also stresses developing one's writing by reading widely, noticing what works and doesn't work in different styles of writing, and practicing revising weak writing.

1. HOW TO WRITE
EFFECTIVELY

2. GOOD WRITING…
 Often is in the eye of the beholder (or teacher)
 Depends upon the intended audience
 Letter to Mom vs. letter to the President
 A supervisor vs. a friend
 Varies with the mode of writing in question
 Short story vs. epic poetry
 Persuasive essay vs. research report

3. In short: There are as
many definitions of
“good” writing as there
are forms of writing

4.  Fortunately, there are some common general
characteristics that all good writing shares.

5.  The traits (in order of relevance):
 Ideas
 Organization
 Voice
 Sentence Fluency
 Word Choice
 Conventions
 Presentation

6. IDEAS
 The focal point of writing –
why read if the work has
nothing to say?
 Not necessarily something
earth-shatteringly original
(though originality is good)
 Consistency of ideas also
important – everything said
should contribute to the
overarching idea or theme
of the work

7. ORGANIZATION
 Content should
“flow” in a logical
manner
 Structured
conversation, not
rambling
 Manner of
organization should
contribute to the
overall aim of the
work

8. WHAT IS “FLOW”?
 English types like metaphors, and writing terms
are no exception
 In basic terms, flow is a logical, sequential
progression of ideas (i.e. getting from point A to
point B smoothly)
 Writing that flows well doesn’t have to sound
pretty, but it can.

9. VOICE
 Writing style
 Distinguishes an author’s
work from everyone else’s
 Bland, third-person
detached writing lacks a
solid voice
 Active, verb-driven
writing is more interesting
and clear

10.  Example:
 “When one must write an essay for College English,
one must always take care to use appropriate
punctuation and spelling.”
 “Essays should give you an idea of what’s
important to you, and that importance should be
reflected in the attention given to mechanics.”

11. SENTENCE FLUENCY
 Sentences are
complex and
demonstrate high
aptitude for the
English language
 Easy to read, sound
natural

12. WORD CHOICE
 A variety of words are used
 Words are appropriate to the context of the
work
 Challenging words based on writer’s level of
ability
 Words “move” the reader based on the authorial
purpose (i.e. forceful words in a persuasive essay,
etc.)

13. CONVENTIONS
 Writing follows
proper conventions
of language
 Spelling
 Grammar
 Punctuation
 Appropriateness of
conventions
depends on
audience and
authorial purpose

14. PRESENTATION
 The work must be easy on the eyes in order to be
consumed
 The reader should understand how sections are linked
together, and what topics are “nested” within what others
 Follow formatting guidelines of publication or instructor
 Looks aren’t everything, but they are important

15. HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR
WRITING
 Read a lot, and read widely
 Consume writing by a variety of authors in a
variety of different fields and styles
 Determine what “works” – what kinds of writing
do you like and find engaging?
 Notice what doesn’t work – what makes you
bored or confused?
 When you encounter bad writing, practice fixing
it. How could you rework a sentence, or
reorganize an essay to help its point shine
through?