The Sense of Style

1. Good writing starts with classic style: Clear, direct, and engaging

Good writing can flip the way the world is perceived, like the silhouette in psychology textbooks which oscillates between a goblet and two faces.

Classic style enlightens. It treats writing as a window onto the world, where the writer guides the reader's gaze to something previously unnoticed. This approach assumes that the writer has already grasped the truth and is simply presenting it clearly. The reader is seen as an equal, capable of understanding if given an unobstructed view.

Characteristics of classic style:

• Presents ideas as if showing objects in the world
• Engages the reader in conversation
• Uses concrete language and vivid imagery
• Avoids meta-discourse and excessive signposting
• Focuses on the subject matter, not the process of writing

Classic style contrasts with other approaches like self-conscious, relativistic, or postmodern styles that constantly question their own enterprise. By adopting classic style, writers can overcome many common pitfalls of bad writing, such as verbosity, abstraction, and confusion.

2. Overcome the curse of knowledge to communicate effectively

The curse of knowledge is the single best explanation I know of why good people write bad prose.

Empathy is crucial. The curse of knowledge refers to the difficulty in imagining what it's like for someone else not to know something you know. This cognitive bias leads writers to assume their readers have background knowledge they don't actually possess, resulting in unclear and inaccessible writing.

Strategies to overcome the curse:

• Show drafts to people similar to your intended audience
• Use concrete examples and analogies
• Explain technical terms and concepts
• Provide context and background information
• Use "for example," "such as," and other clarifying phrases

Remember that your readers don't share your expertise or thought process. By actively working to bridge this gap, you can make your writing more understandable and engaging for a wider audience.

3. Master syntax to construct clear and coherent sentences

Syntax, then, is an app that uses a tree of phrases to translate a web of thoughts into a string of words.

Sentence structure matters. Understanding syntax—how words and phrases fit together to form sentences—is crucial for clear writing. By visualizing sentences as tree structures, writers can avoid common pitfalls like dangling modifiers, misplaced phrases, and ambiguous references.

Key syntactic principles:

• Maintain subject-verb agreement, even in complex sentences
• Place modifiers close to the words they modify
• Use parallel structure for items in a series
• Be mindful of the order of phrases and clauses
• Employ active voice for clarity, using passive voice strategically

By mastering these principles, writers can craft sentences that accurately convey their intended meaning and are easy for readers to parse and understand.

4. Build coherence through logical flow and consistent themes

Coherence depends on more than mechanical decisions such as keeping the topic in subject position and choosing appropriate connectives.

Guide your reader. Coherence is the quality that makes a text flow logically and read smoothly. It goes beyond individual sentences to encompass how ideas are connected and developed throughout a piece of writing.

Elements of coherent writing:

• Use topic sentences to introduce main ideas
• Employ transition words and phrases to link thoughts
• Maintain consistent themes and terminology
• Organize information in a logical sequence
• Provide context and background for new ideas

Remember that coherence is about creating a clear path for your reader to follow. By carefully structuring your writing and maintaining consistent threads of thought, you can ensure that your ideas are easily understood and remembered.

5. Navigate the complexities of grammar with discernment

Many prescriptive rules originated for screwball reasons, impede clear and graceful prose, and have been flouted by the best writers for centuries.

Question rigid rules. While grammar is important, it's crucial to distinguish between genuine rules that enhance clarity and mere superstitions that hinder effective communication. Many commonly taught grammar rules are based on misconceptions or arbitrary preferences.

Approach to grammar:

• Understand the reasoning behind grammar rules
• Distinguish between formal and informal contexts
• Be aware of how language evolves over time
• Prioritize clarity and effective communication over rigid adherence to rules
• Learn from reputable sources and usage guides

By developing a nuanced understanding of grammar, writers can make informed choices that enhance their writing rather than being constrained by unnecessary restrictions.

6. Use punctuation to enhance clarity and readability

The main job of punctuation is to eliminate the ambiguities and garden paths that would mislead a reader if print consisted only of vowels, consonants, and spaces.

Punctuate purposefully. Proper punctuation is not just about following rules; it's about guiding the reader through your text. Good punctuation can prevent misunderstandings, control pacing, and emphasize important points.

Key punctuation principles:

• Use commas to separate elements and avoid ambiguity
• Employ semicolons to join related independent clauses
• Utilize colons to introduce lists or explanations
• Apply dashes for emphasis or to set off parenthetical information
• Use quotation marks accurately for dialogue and citations

Remember that punctuation serves the reader. When in doubt, consider how your punctuation choices affect the clarity and flow of your writing.

7. Embrace the evolution of language while maintaining standards

Linguistic bubbe meises arise from a number of sources. Some of them originated in the first English writing guides published in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and have been handed down in an oral tradition ever since.

Balance tradition and change. Language is constantly evolving, and good writers must navigate between respecting established norms and embracing useful innovations. Many common usage beliefs are actually myths or outdated rules that no longer serve a purpose.

Approach to language change:

• Be skeptical of absolute rules without clear rationales
• Consult modern usage guides and dictionaries
• Consider the needs of your audience and context
• Embrace clarity and effectiveness over rigid traditionalism
• Be open to new words and constructions that fill genuine needs

By understanding the history of usage rules and the principles of language change, writers can make informed decisions that balance tradition with innovation, resulting in more effective and contemporary communication.

Last updated: January 23, 2025