Lately, I've proofread some friends' articles, native and not, on political and technical matters. In no case, did I only guide them to my preferred style (poetic diction, preferring verbs over nouns, participles over finite verbs, archaicizing, Germanic purist including V2, no hyphens) and rather enjoyed seeing, sampling (and rejecting) their distinct tastes. I once wanted to ask a friend who wields fiery invectives to liven up my (technical opinion) prose, but realized his style was ill-suited to sewing my bullet points together.
What is beautiful literature to you? Or clear and precise technical style? What do you just hate? Most importantly, what do you aim for and avoid when writing yourself?
I'm curious for opinions on all languages (even programming or e.g. programming code comment style) but naturally English is our community's shared tongue.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
Good writing is writing where the author has a clear purpose in writing, and makes sure that every word they write contributes to that purpose, and that the writing as a whole fulfills that purpose. Concrete examples:
Technical Specifications
Technical specifications SHALL transfer interconnected technical concepts from author to reader effectively. Authors MUST choose precise terminology to minimize ambiguity. Authors MUST NOT use inconsistent terminology for the same concept. Authors SHOULD use plain language where specialized terms aren't necessary. The effectiveness of technical specifications MUST be measured by reader comprehension and ability to implement the specified requirements.
Literary Writing
Literary writing unveils truth through disciplined craft. Each sentence serves a purpose, with no wasted words. Language crafted with intention builds worlds in minds, connecting through shared experience. Good prose moves with the rhythm of breath; sometimes shallow with anticipation, sometimes deep with revelation. It respects the reader while guiding them through labyrinths where reality and imagination blur into something truer than either alone. What remains unsaid matters as much as what appears on the page.
Academic Writing
Academic writing employs a formal tone with third-person perspective and precise terminology focused on research problems (University of Southern California, 2024). This specialized communicative practice conveys complex ideas within scholarly communities through evidence-based argumentation rather than personal opinion (Walden University, 2024). Scholarly writing requires proper citation of sources following consistent formatting conventions, demonstrating engagement with broader literature while establishing credibility (Scribbr, 2024). Effective academic writing spans descriptive, analytical, persuasive, and critical purposes, requiring writers to consider multiple perspectives while developing coherent arguments supported by appropriate evidence (University of Sydney, 2024).
More options
Context Copy link