The Most Important Rules of Writing
Reader question:
What are the most important rules of writing?
The Literate Hippie answers:
1. Be brief.
2. Eliminate modifiers.
3. Say something interesting.
4. Read.
Oh. You want more?
Be brief.
Say what you mean in the most accurate words you can find. The Literate Hippie admits to daily struggles with this rule of writing.
Eliminate modifiers.
Adjectives and adverbs can confuse your readers and sink your sentences. Do not hide your nouns and verbs. Use modifiers that matter; eliminate the rest. The Literate Hippie admits to intense daily struggles with this most important rule of writing. (Count the modifiers in that sentence.)
Say something interesting.
And say it halfway between textbook and fluff. We have boredom, and we have drivel. Strive for content that matters in a style that intrigues.
Read.
Read classics. Read new books. Read articles. Read nonfiction and fiction. Read what is written by people who write well. Consume good writing. Don’t waste your time on bad.
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