I’ve been thinking recently about what makes writing good. This course, Advanced Composition, is about writing, and each student enrolled will have the opportunity to create, reflect, share and respond. There’s so much more to writing though, and as we read, observe, and think more, we become better writers. That’s the most interesting thing to me.
To give you something to think about, here’s an article by Steven Paglienari I found:
On Good Writing
“Good” writing is real.
“Real” writing is visual.
It is also complete, succinct, and descriptive. And blameless.
“Really good” writing is all these things, and can also inspire love in the reader.
You cannot feel delight and be unable to “see” a writer’s words. Delight clears the reader’s eyes and fills the writer’s words with the visions of the reader.
Be delighted and I promise, you will see the writer’s words.
After seeing these living words then, know the reader must pass on what is seen to another. Retelling completes the writing. Only then is the writing done.
Few people know this.
Even fewer know that it is they, as readers, who co-create the writing by retelling the words.
This makes readers very important. More important than anyone has ever suspected.
In truth then, “really good” writing requires a “really good” writer and a “really good” reader.
Be both.
Source here.
