WHAT IS GOOD WRITING?

(ADOPTED)


1. Good writing is grammatically correct.

Imagine a basketball player who has the ball in his hands, but runs toward the opponent’s basket, puts it in, and scores two points.

As a writer, words are your instrument. Grammar is your tool. Wield them properly.

Know the rules of the game.

If you want to improve your writing, your first job is to learn the rules of grammar.

Get your grammar screwed straight.


2. Good writing has a point and makes it without wasting words.

You cannot just take your pen in hand or sit infront of a computer and write without thinking. Good writing is not a product of magic. Nor it is a product of instantaneous combustion.

Good writing is writing what you plan and what you think about.

When you sit to write, ask yourself: what do I want to write? What is my point? Then make it.

Start you writing with a plan, approach it calmly, look at the topic, take a few seconds to think about it, let your thoughts seeps through in your mind, come out with a plan, and approach it systematically.


3. Good writing does not try to impress. It just does.

Many beginnings writers make the mistake of using words and expressions even when they do not understand or worse cannot spell. Do not fall into that trap.

Your writing will be more impressive if it is simple.


4. Good writing is writing that knows its purpose.

Do not allow your writing to suffer an identity crisis.

Know what your article is for.

Know your audience.

You have to know what your article is for—the purpose of your article, your picture, or your editorial cartoon.

What do you want your article, your photograph, or your editorial cartoon to say?

When you are writing for a tabloid, you use all different kinds of language altogether.


5. Good writing is clear, vigorous, concise, and precise.

Do not make your sentences too long or your point will get lost in a jungle of words.

Example: “With his vigorous stage occurrence and catchy tunes has no uncertainty made him and his band Sponge Cola became one of the hottest bands around.”

Do not try to squeeze too many details into one sentence or paragraph.

Example: The government is reassessing its relations with the Moro National Liberation Front and studying whether to file charges against some MNLF leaders who held captive a Palace official and a marine general for three days in Sulu, Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process said.

Example: The government has created a PhP122.8 million fund to keep bird flu out of the country.”

“Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya said the fund, part of the soon-to-be-signed national budget, will be made available to five government agencies, led by the Department of Agriculture, to implement to avian flu eradication program.

Avoid redundancies: Do not repeat an idea twice in the same sentence.

Example: The victim died on the spot and did not reach the hospital alive.

Choose your words and phrases carefully.

Example: Part of the success of the experimentation that turned their third album into an “obra maestra” in its own right is the fact that they’ve been musically playing together for quite some time.”

Example: “Never use a long word when diminutive one will do.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO?

Read. The more words you know, the more expressions you are familiar with. THE more styles of writing you are exposed to, the richer your writing will become.

Try to read as much as you can.

Be observant. Details are very important.

Learn to write under time pressure. Remember, journalism is literature in a hurry.