Photo courtesy of seychelles88
By David Pierce at The 2.0 Life
In all its disparate forms, writing, or at least good writing, has one common denominator: it seeks to make you think, read, or act differently.
Writing seeks to tell a story, prove a point, or bring about a new understanding. Obvious though that may seem, my experience has been that it’s really the largest divide between good writing and bad writing (and I’ve both read and produced my fair share of bad writing).
No matter how elegant your prose, perfect your grammar, or brilliant your metaphors, if I as the reader finish the piece and am not compelled to somehow be different, there’s been no great effect on me.
On the flip side: I’ve read some poorly-written, error-rich pieces that somehow managed to make a compelling point. Mistakes aside, I’d still rather read that than just a well-crafted diversion from the rest of my life. Writing can be a method of entertainment, but truly great writing compels the reader to take note, and take action.
There’s no secret formula to doing this well. Take Faulkner, a famous and prolific author. He’s renowned for the intensity and long-lasting nature of his books, but writes the most flowery, long, winding sentences I’ve ever seen. He even holds the Guinness World Record for longest proper sentence- 1,287 words! On the other hand is someone like Hemingway, who wrote with. Lots of. Short sentences. One of my personal favorite Hemingway stories is a grand total of six words long- “For sale: Baby shoes, Never worn.” Each author, through totally different means, compelled their readers to be different, and that’s why their writing stuck.
Writing like Faulkner or Hemingway is no small task, but it’s easy to make sure we’re writing with a purpose, and writing to affect our audience.
When you first start writing, ask yourself two questions:
- What do I want the reader to know?
- What do I want them to do?
I’ve learned to write these two things down, bold them, star them, and outline from them, and it totally changes how I write.
The answers to these can be nearly anything- more often than not, the “do” answer will simply be “think about it!” That’s fine, but asking the questions will do wonders to help you write effectual pieces.
Instead of simply starting to write, starting with these two questions narrows the focus of my writing, and forces me to be aware of the reader. In my writing, It helps avoid the long, flowing, tangential writing toward which I seem to be inclined.
If you’re looking to make your writing sticky, memorable, and effectual, center it on what you want the reader to know and do when they finish that they didn’t when they started.
Focusing and refocusing on your readers will help you trim the fat, and make sure your writing always returns to the heart of the matter.
Try asking those two questions before you write next. How does it change the way you think and write?
Want to enjoy more from David Pierce, check out his blog at The 2.0 Life
29 Comments, Comment or Ping
D-Mac
Faulkner sucks and you know it… However, that’s besides the point because you’re right ;-). A poetry teacher of mine once told us a story about another poetry teacher who was at the time teaching a now famous poet (I forget their names), and the student wrote a poem which the teacher then read. The poem was a beautifully constructed villanelle, however, had little meaning. The comment the teacher left in red ink at the bottom of the page was “a beautifully minted coin of small denomination.” Of course, as you say there can be poorly minted coins of high denomination, but the former seems to occur more than the latter. I realize now that I’m reaching the end of my comment that I essentially just agreed with you and gave another example which might make me seem as though I’m just talking, which to a certain degree is what I’m doing, but basically I just wanted to say you’re right and I hope lots of people read this because there is so much junk out there that just takes up people’s time without really having and effect.
Jan 26th, 2009
Norm
Thank you for this great article!
In my writing classes, I have heard frequently that keeping a clearly stated thesis in front of you while you write will keep your writing focused and to the point. Your two questions are a great way to formulate that clearly stated thesis.
Jan 26th, 2009
Daniel Richard
I read up on Abe Maslow’s book on Management and I thought that his sentences were pretty long enough – that’s until you mentioned about Faulkner. :)
Jan 26th, 2009
Claudio
David:
Good post, very practical. I particularly liked the two main points to remember when writing a piece. So many times when writing we forget that we should be writing for others, only to then realize we wrote for ourselves. I call that literally ego. Most of the time we are unaware, but it happens.
I think keeping your advice in mind while writing will help to maintain a focused target on the piece.
thanks
Jan 26th, 2009
David Pierce
@D-Mac – That’s a great line, “a beautifully minted coin of small denomination.” It seems like a lot of times, we’re okay with these, the ostensibly impressive and attractive rather than the substantive. Great stuff!
@Norm- Having a thesis is critical. I always try to write with my thesis already written, ready, and exactly as I want it- it makes me a much better writer. How does it work for you?
@Daniel – In my experience, Faulkner makes just about everyone’s sentences look pretty manageable :)
@Claudio- It IS ego, even when it’s unintentional. It’s also horribly uninteresting to read. Good luck with these questions!
Jan 26th, 2009
Norm
@David Pierce – I am usually writing in response to a clearly stated question, so the question becomes my thesis statement. As long as I stay focused on the question then I know I’m writing to the intended purpose.
At other times I am writing to instruct in a specific area so I start by summarizing what the reader should know when they finish the article. My idea of a thesis statement is getting into a simple, once sentence, statement. I try to make everything in the article point to that statement. It keeps me focused on the point.
The problem I have with the thesis statement sometimes is what we might call “The Faulkner Syndrome.” I’m adamant about making the thesis a one sentence statement. If I’m not careful, I end up writing a one sentence article instead of a simple thesis statement. When I do pare it down to a simple one sentence statement I know that I’m ready to write a concise and focused article.
Jan 26th, 2009
Bamboo Forest - PunIntended
This is a great article on writing.
I only have one slight disagreement, perhaps.
“Writing can be a method of entertainment, but truly great writing compels the reader to take note, and take action.”
I don’t necessarily agree with the above – particularly in the context of blogs. Great writing is writing that leaves residue. And if a piece is written that is a humor piece, without any real underlying message except for making the reader laugh: I think it can be truly great writing.
They do say laughter is the best medicine. And, if a writing piece accomplishes good feelings within the reader, I think it can be counted among truly great writing – even if there is no political message harbored in it.
Of course, that’s just my opinion. Either way, this is a totally helpful article on writing.
Jan 26th, 2009
Frances
Thanks for this post.
Asking myself these questions will certainly help me maintain my focus. I think it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re writing something, so coming back to what we want our readers to know and what we want them to do is very important.
And Faulkner has his uses…you can learn a lot about sentance structure from his work.
Jan 26th, 2009
David Pierce
@Norm- Interesting stuff. I agree about a thesis always being one sentence, otherwise you run the risk of writing an entire article while you’re sort of saying something, but are really just hashing out your ideas trying to come up with a thesis. Thanks!
@Bamboo Forest- Great point! I don’t think we disagree at all. I think humor in writing is crucial, and even if the commanded action is “laugh!” you’re still somehow different from reading it- even if only in that your day is somehow brighter. That’s a wonderful point, though: sometimes, writing’s only there to make you laugh- and it should be that way. Thanks for the thoughts!
@Frances- I’m glad it’s helpful! Certainly let me know about your experiences, I’d love to hear. And as for Faulkner, while he may have his uses, his primary use for me is as a tool to make me appreciate the simplicity of all the other things I read :)
Jan 26th, 2009
Still Life in South America
Hi David,
Great article. I am an English professor, yet I often fail to question the motivation for my posts. (Despite the fact that I reiterate to my business writing students, “Who is your audience and what does it need?”) This gives me more spark as I continue.
I agree with Bamboo Forest as well, that good writing “leaves residue.” As a poet, I often post more poetic entries that leave residue than call the reader to action.
Jan 26th, 2009
curiousjessica
“For sale: Baby shoes, Never worn.”
Sends chills down my spine every time I read this.
Jan 26th, 2009
Cindy Dashnaw
Nice post. One of the easiest ways to immediately change the tone of your writing is to eliminate passive sentences. So many writers, especially in the working world, seem to believe that passive sentences are somehow more authoritative or correct. In reality, passive sentences are ambiguous and dull at best and imply a lack of accountability and responsibility at worst. Here’s to their removal!
Jan 27th, 2009
Miguel Wickert
Like a good objective lesson, what do you want your audience to know and do as a result of hearing your lesson? Knowing this narrows your lesson (or writing) down to the essentials (trims the fat away). This is part of being efficient, something I strive for daily. :) You’re right, if the reader leaves unchanged, you didn’t effectively and clearly get your point through. :(
-Mig
Jan 27th, 2009
J.D. Meier
Questions are a great beacon.
Writing is the channel, but it’s the insight that sticks.
Jan 27th, 2009
Rebecca Laffar-Smith
The best thing about these two questions is that, before you even begin to write, it forces you to truly evaluate what you want to say. If you can’t formulate an answer then it is time to try a new slant. Toss one idea in favor of one that can be answered with clarity.
I’ll be keeping that in mind from now on. Thank you for an interesting new insight.
Jan 27th, 2009
LisaNewton
I never thought about it in just this way, but the questions are a great way to keep focused. I’ll definitely give it a try and see what happens.
BTW, I love the picture. I remember when I started college many years ago, and I received a typewriter from my parents. Wow, how the times have changed…………………….:)
Jan 27th, 2009
Mary Jaksch
I’ve been struggling with a particular post in the last few days. I just can’t get it to sit up prettily. It keeps on keeling over :-(
Anyhow, in desperation I wrote David’s two questions at the head of my last draft. The questions didn’t automatically give backbone to my piece, but I’ve been able to refocus and rethink it. That’s good!
David, your questions are as useful as a lifejacket when having fallen out of a boat.
Jan 28th, 2009
Claudio
“@Claudio- It IS ego, even when it’s unintentional. It’s also horribly uninteresting to read. Good luck with these questions!”
lol, you’re right!
Jan 28th, 2009
Iain Broome
I’ve always loved that six-word Hemingway ’story’. Brilliant.
It’s very easy to come over all writerly and marvel at your linguistic acrobatics, but it’s what your reader thinks that counts. Or, more importantly, how they are affected.
Great post.
Jan 28th, 2009
Hannah Grace
Thanks for sharing..great post. I often struggle with cutting out the excess and really getting to the meat of an issue, perhaps these 2 questions will help me. I’ll try them out.
Jan 28th, 2009
Marion
Tucked into that first question is the question,”What is this about?” Is the piece about mercy, honor, the humility of parenting, perhaps? If you know first what it is about, you’ll know what you need to tell your reader. Thanks for this. Very provocative.
Feb 4th, 2009
Jack Keller
I think this may help my writing as I normally find myself off track and off subject. Then I end up making the excuse that I am a programmer and not a writer, but that is not a great excuse for something that most people can at least grasp the rudimentary concepts of. I have found a new feed for my reader, keep up the great posts!
Feb 10th, 2009
Writing therapy
That is correct writing can be extremely useful when it comes to find some thing not known with in your self. Writing therapy is now used world wide for curing major diseases like depression etc.
Feb 17th, 2009
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