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Six Traits of Effective Writing
from Write Source 2000 A Guide to Writing, Thinking, and Learning
Stimulating Ideas: Effective writing presents interesting and valuable information about a specific subject. It has a clear message or purpose. The ideas are thoroughly developed and hold the reader's attention.
Logical organization: In terms of basic structure, good writing has a clearly developed beginning, middle, and ending. Within the text, each main point is developed with examples, explanations, definitions, specific details, and so on.
Engaging Voice: In the best writing, you can hear the writer's voice- his or her special way of expressing ideas and emotions. Voice gives writing personality; it shows that the writer sincerely cares about his or her subject and audience.
Original Word Choice: Simply put, good writing contains good words. Nouns and verbs are specific; modifiers are colorful; and the overall level of language helps communicate a particular message or tone, based on the purpose for writing.
Smooth-reading sentences: Effective writing flows smoothly and clearly from one sentence to the next. But it isn't, by any means, predictable. Sentences will vary in length, and they won't always begin in the same way. Sentence smoothness, or fluency, gives writing rhythm, which helps make it enjoyable to read.
Correct, accurate copy: Good writing follows the basic standards of punctuation, mechanics, usage, and spelling. It is edited with care to ensure that the work is accurate and easy to follow.
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