It is clear that each text will unfold according to the intention of the author and the objective of the writing. From this sense, the stylistic resources and the type of language may vary, but if something is clear, it is that, regardless of the nature of the text, it must meet the characteristics of good writing so that it can connect with the reader. In general terms, these characteristics are:
1. Clarity
Clarity is called the ability to convey ideas as transparently as possible. This means that the writer must have the ability to organize the sentences in such a way that the reader can fully connect with the idea.
Taking into account the above, the ideal is that the writer has an excellent capacity for synthesis, so that he can transmit a message in which the reader can understand what is being talked about from the first reading.
2. Simplicity
We understand simplicity as the ability of a writer to convey a message in simple words and with a type of language that can be accessible to different types of audiences. It should be noted that although there are scientific or thematic texts that have specialized met languages, the idea of any good text is that the message can be communicated in the simplest possible words.
Simplicity has nothing to do with vulgarity, but rather with the ability to use common words to convey any kind of idea. All this in order to facilitate the understanding of the texts.
3. Concise
Conciseness has to do with the writer’s ability to synthesize their ideas without going off the rails. What we know as the economy of language plays a fundamental role here, which alludes to the need to express words using the minimum number of words necessary and dispensing with verbal excesses.
It is considered that a writer meets the characteristics of a good writing, when he is able to transmit the necessary ideas, without being redundant, rambling or using information that does not add anything to the meaning of the text.
4. Adaptation
Linked to the previous point, adaptation has to do with the ability of a text to adapt to the reader. This translates into the writer’s ability to write a text taking into account the type of audience that is going to read it, based on characteristics such as educational level, socioeconomic status and cultural predispositions.
This becomes clearer if we think that writing a text for an advertisement is not the same as making a presentation for a psychoanalysis congress.
5. Precision
When we talk about precision, we refer to the ability of a writer to use the right words to convey a message. By this we mean that, for example, there are several synonyms or related words, but there are only a few that should be used depending on a certain context.
In the same way, more than economy of language, it is choosing the precise resources and terms that allow the message to be transmitted effectively.
6. Order
One of the characteristics of good writing has to do with the writer’s ability to organize both sentences and paragraphs in a logical order. The idea is that the information can be broken down systematically, so that different ideas are not combined in the same section, or data is used randomly.
From this sense, the idea is to go step by step, or even delimit the idea in its components and begin to explain one by one, so that it is clearer for the reader.
7. Originality
A writer said that everything that has been written is a variation of the same metaphor. However, if you start looking, there are poems from different periods that talk about love, and although the theme is the same, each writer approaches it in a different way, and that is precisely what gives a text originality.
In light of the above, originality has to do with the ability to approach a topic in an innovative way, using resources and words that allow ideas to be captured in a creative way and that do not sound like a copy to the reader.
8. Correction
Correction is the last step when writing a text. After putting your ideas on paper, you not only have to make sure that it meets the characteristics of good writing, but you must also check that the spelling, syntax, and punctuation are correct.
All of the above is important, so that the reader’s understanding of the text is effective. Remember that a bad score, for example, can convey an idea contrary to what we want to say.
It is also essential to validate that from the semantic and semiotic level the appropriate words are used, so that the text fulfills its objective.
