Writing General Tips

The Key to Good Writing

I have taught writing, rhetoric and composition for 20+ years. During that time, I have discovered one of the keys to good writing. Besides having a good thesis statement and an outline, you, the writer, should keep in mind the two most important words in writing. They are: “For example…”

Let me explain: Have you ever known someone who likes to tell you about the great movie they just watched? I think we all know someone like that. Will his or her description of the movie, no matter how good, no matter how animated, ever take the place of you seeing the movie? Of course not. Why? Because seeing the movie…being shown the movie…will give you the complete effect of the movie the way the director, producer, writers and actors intended. This same principle applies to your writing: GOOD WRITING SHOWS…IT DOES NOT MERELY TELL. 

What do I mean by that? Your writing should show your reader what you want them to know and not just tell them things with little or no description. What is the easiest way to do that? Use examples. Examples convey to your reader a tangible and concrete explanation and examples clarify what you are saying. Not only that, but examples allow you to add more and more length to your writing. Remember, your goal when writing for almost any discipline should be to Explain, Expound and Expand on your ideas and to do so in an informed and analytical way.