Good And Bad Writing

Examples of Good Writing

 

    The first example of "good" writing given has earned its status by adhering to the rule of never being to clever. To achieve this author has been able to delicately balance the use of description, with simplicity. This piece also manages to stay directed and to keep from wandering off. The author has also kept the article interesting for the reader by using description in such a way that it draws one in and keeps them reading.

    The second article has succeeded in keeping the reader interested by not getting to "hyped up." The author has been able to use a quotation without twisting the meaning, or wording to which the subject actually said. Also, the prose has been able to remain informative, while not crossing the line to which anyone short of a physics degree would not understand.

    The final sample has been labelled so because it has a certain merit to it which has managed to somehow created something very interesting out of something that perhaps may not have been so. It has managed to remain simple, informative, descriptive and exciting while not being too clever, wordy or undesirable to the reader.

 

Examples of Bad Writing

 

    The author of the first sample has clearly been unable to refrain from trying to sound clever. The piece is full of redundancies and overachieving words, and is seriously dull. When one writes, they must make sure that the reader is pulled into the writing. This can often be done by using interesting content, rhetorical devices, and description, but can never be achieved solely with the use of a large vocabulary.

    Secondly, the second example of "bad" writing is described as so because the author has also tried to sound clever and professional by using a thesaurus. There is absolutely no way that anyone would be able to understand this after just reading it once. The piece is full of brainy words but mysteriously lacks any truly descriptive terms.

    Finally, the last example of writing has been unable to remain interesting to the reader. The sentences contained do not seem to flow along, and the use of terms like "laws of origin," do nothing but further confuse. The piece appears to think to much of both of itself and of the reader, in that it assumes I understand what it is talking about.

 

The Role of the Audience

 

   The audience is decisively the most important aspect when determining the merit of a piece of prose. This is because the audience is who is destined to read the piece, and sole reason for its creation is to be read. If one is unable to read, or understand a piece of writing, then its existence is purposeless. It is very important to tailor prose so that the  intended audience will indeed read it, and certainly never forget it. One must remember to never forget who you are writing for, to not speak over them, and to most importantly keep them reading.