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Picking A Writing Style That Doesn't Offend
- By Robert Starr
- Published 09/15/2008
- Writing for the Web
- Unrated
Robert Starr
Robert Starr is a professional writer/editor with several published books and a degree in journalism. He's brought 20 years of experience in the craft to his own on line writing/editing service. You can reach him at robstarr
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One of the best ways that any web content writer can impress his or her readers is to be motivated. In other words, they should have something to say and want to say it. Remember the old axiom that if the writing isn't inspired, the reader won't be either. However, that's not to say that good writing should have an attitude. According to the experts, there are three of these attitudes that should be avoided at all costs.
The first is called The Highbrow. Funny enough this kind of error in writing actually stems from a lack of confidence in the writer. The scribe here is usually trying to mask their lack of assuredness but they wind up highlighting it instead. Unfortunately, highbrow writing is usually deliberate. Usually these writers are out to impress rather than express.
The Flippant Writer usually manages to offend by not taking something seriously that the reader holds close. Although these writers can cause harm, they usually don't mean to. Remember that a caustic wit that seeps through into prose can be detrimental for a web content writer especially since every sentence and phrase has to be carefully selected
for maximum effect. The aptitudes that writers have toward their subjects always come out in their style.
Another kind of writer that is likely to offend is The Pompous Writer. This is a shortcoming that is usually characterized by the inability to communicate in a straightforward way. Again, there is no place for this kind of writing in the markets of today and the smart content writer does well to stay away from the ten dollar words when the ten cent ones will do just as well.
Developing a style of your own takes time and practice. As well, you need to have the desire to say things in a genuine way and to express as much of yourself as possible to the reader. Remember that the reader is the real expert when it comes to being able to pick off an aptitude in a writer's work. Remember there is really only one rule when it comes to effective writing. You need to ask yourself does whatever you're doing work. Everything else is merely a suggestion. A final thought about what we've all been taught before.
Many great writers all have something in common and that's they swear to be considered very good at their craft they've had to unlearn all the things they were taught by many well meaning teachers.
The first is called The Highbrow. Funny enough this kind of error in writing actually stems from a lack of confidence in the writer. The scribe here is usually trying to mask their lack of assuredness but they wind up highlighting it instead. Unfortunately, highbrow writing is usually deliberate. Usually these writers are out to impress rather than express.
The Flippant Writer usually manages to offend by not taking something seriously that the reader holds close. Although these writers can cause harm, they usually don't mean to. Remember that a caustic wit that seeps through into prose can be detrimental for a web content writer especially since every sentence and phrase has to be carefully selected
Another kind of writer that is likely to offend is The Pompous Writer. This is a shortcoming that is usually characterized by the inability to communicate in a straightforward way. Again, there is no place for this kind of writing in the markets of today and the smart content writer does well to stay away from the ten dollar words when the ten cent ones will do just as well.
Developing a style of your own takes time and practice. As well, you need to have the desire to say things in a genuine way and to express as much of yourself as possible to the reader. Remember that the reader is the real expert when it comes to being able to pick off an aptitude in a writer's work. Remember there is really only one rule when it comes to effective writing. You need to ask yourself does whatever you're doing work. Everything else is merely a suggestion. A final thought about what we've all been taught before.
Many great writers all have something in common and that's they swear to be considered very good at their craft they've had to unlearn all the things they were taught by many well meaning teachers.