3 Qualities of Great Writing
The 3 qualities of great writing are: clarity, correctness and character. Developing your unique style requires mastery of the rules of grammar and knowledge of the relationship words have to one another. From the start, we learn grammar without understanding when our parents speak to us. Later, through formal training and reading, we come to understand grammar. Even so, it’s possible not to write your best work.
The three Qualities of Great Writing
In order to speak and write the English language correctly, it is imperative that the fundamental principles of the Grammar be mastered, for no matter how much we may read of the best authors, no matter how much we may associate with and imitate the best speakers, if we do not know the underlying principles of the correct formation of sentences and the relation of words to one another, we will be to a great extent like the parrot, that merely repeats what it hears without understanding the import of what is said. – Joseph Delvin
Let’s heed the words of Delvin. In great writing, writers strive for clarity, correctness and character. These three qualities are rooted in the principles of grammar, but adherence to these ideals mustn’t happen at the expense of originality or great writing.
Making it Clear
Clarity is one of the key qualities of great writing. Clear writing does not confuse or cause misunderstanding. There are a few ways to achieve the goal of clarity. First, avoid ambiguous words or words with double meanings. Expand your vocabulary to arm yourself with an array of words. Doing so will give you the tools you need to make the best word choices. Second, let your words dance but don’t overdress them. Some writers may rely too heavily on big words, metaphors or rhetoric to make a point. Don’t do it. Finally, make simple your first choice. That doesn’t mean you should never show the power of your vocabulary or make your ideas vivid with similes or metaphors. It means, using the rules of language to write clear sentences that have proper structure, sound and syntax.
Write Your Best Work – Correctness
Correctness refers to quality writing. Writing that moves past getting things grammatically correct. It requires exacting expression, free from redundancy and tautology, a style unique to the writer, yet full of meaning. Most ideas of correctness seek to codify ‘good’ English, but that’s not the whole of it. Correctness allows freedom too. A freedom to paint with words, freedom to break the rules. Most of all, a freedom to say things in the best way to achieve the desired outcome while at the same time maintaining clarity. Without a doubt, correctness can only be somewhat separate from the rules of grammar. That’s because before you can find your unique voice, break barriers, twist or bend the rules you must know and understand those rules at the start.
Great Writing has Integrity
Character is the last but not least of the three qualities of great writing. It reflects on the integrity of the work. Quality writing avoids the use of slang, vulgarity, profanity, obsolete terms, foreign idioms, ambiguous expressions or any ungrammatical language unless it advances the story. For example, writing about specific cultures or in a style to reflect who or what your characters do and how they talk is perfectly acceptable. However, please note the use of vulgarity or profanity is likely off-putting to some readers. For me, I avoid it. Yet, some might find the need to use these tools to represent the reality of the time, place or situations they write about. In those cases, it’s likely worse to avoid it. Even so, I’ve read books where the use of profanity has caused me to stop reading. I’m no saint and I can swear like a sailor, but I find it off putting when used carelessly in the books I read. Ultimately, great writing finds a way to say what’s needed without offending its targeted readers.
These 3 Qualities of Great Writing come from How to Speak and Write Correctly, by Joseph Devlin. My version is updated for modern times and in some ways, contradicts the original text. For example, Delvin advises to never use profanity or slang. He is also in the grammar correctness camp. I’m not. On these points, I disagree with him.
Some of the best writing uses slang or break rules of grammar. The most important rule is to know the rules of grammar. When you do, you own your words and have the power to wield them.
For more on writing rules see 10 Writing Style Rules Every Writer Should Know.
