Good Writing

Composed by :
Miss Shahida Sanjrani
 Good Writing
• People think that good writing means simple
writing that contains not bad mistakes
 Good writing
(cont)
• No errors of grammars, punctuation and
spelling.
 Good Writing
(Cont)
• In fact good writing is more than just correct
writing.
• Good writing is writing that responds to the
interest and need of readers.
Basic Characteristics of good and
effective writing
• Good writing has a clearly defined purpose.
• It makes a definite point.
• It supports that point with specific information.
• The information is clearly connected and
arranged.
 Basic Characteristics of good and
effective writing
• The words are appropriate.
• Sentences are concise, emphatic, and correct.
• Good writing is a result of a lot of practice and
hard work.
 Most important Characteristics
of good writing
1. Parallel Structure
• Use parallel or consistent structure when
writing sentences and paragraphs.
• avoid mixing forms of verbs in the same
sentence.
• If you use the -ing form of a verb in a list, use
the -ing form for all verbs in the list
• avoid switching from active to passive
voice in a series of clauses.
 Examples of Parallel structure:
• Poor example: Mrs. Jones is trustworthy, dependable,
and she pays close attention to details.

• Improved: Mrs. Jones is trustworthy, dependable,

and detail-oriented.

• Poor example: Please keep track of your hours, turn in

your timesheet, and keeping a copy for your records is
also important.

• Improved: Please keep track of your hours, turn in your

timesheet, and keep a copy for your records.
2: Conciseness

a) : Don’t use too wordy sentences.

• Poor example: This is to inform you that health

insurance rates will increase effective next month.

• Improved: Health insurance rates will increase

effective next month.
 b) : Eliminate wordy phrases from your writing.

Wordy Phrases
Substitute Concise
• due to the fact that • Because

• regardless of the fact that • Although

• in regard to • About

• in the near future • Soon

• give consideration to • Consider

Wordy Phrases
Concise
Substitute
• give a recommendation • Recommend

• conduct a discussion • Discuss

• perfectly clear • Clear

• exactly identical • Identical

• dollar amount • Amount

 3: Effective paragraphing
a) Cover one paragraph per subject.
• Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence
stating what the subject is about.
• Focusing on just one clearly stated subject in
each paragraph helps readers understand your
message.
 b) Link ideas together by repeating
words in sentences.

Without repeating words: John suggested an

aggressive marketing campaign for the new
product. Direct mailings will be sent to all
households in the target market, and this will
be very costly. Additional funds were set aside
for marketing this year by the corporate office.
• With repeating words: John suggested an
aggressive marketing campaign for the new
product. The campaign will involve direct
mailings to all households in the target market,
and will be very costly. The high cost will be
partially offset by the additional funds set
aside for marketing this year by the corporate
office.
 4: Be Objective
• Present the information objectively.
 5: Revise and rewrite
• Revise your work.
• Think about how you can improve what you
have written.
• Have you made your points clearly?
• Have you used a variety of short and long
sentences to help make your writing more
readable?
• Have you checked the spelling, grammar and
punctuation?