Every writer, at least in her sane moments, yearns for her prose to be deemed good. Yet, what delineates quality writing from the mundane remains a mystery to many. While instincts often guide our judgements, isn’t there a more defined metric for literary excellence? Or to be more precise, let’s ask ourselves this simple question: what truly makes a piece of writing good?
Steven Pinker, renowned author and psycholinguist, offers some insights in his book, The Sense of Style. Through the lens of linguistics, he decodes the craft, making a case for more rational (and less mysterious) approach to writing. So, what are Pinker’s observations on writing? Let me highlight a few of them.
- Good writing emanates from those well-versed in reading. Sounds obvious, right? Such writers, being voracious readers, possess an expansive arsenal of words, idioms, constructions, and rhetorical flourishes, acutely attuned to their harmonies and dissonances.
- Good writing captivates from the get-go. It skips clichés and starts with an interesting observation that grabs attention.
- Good writing has the power to shift perspectives. It’s like optical illusions that vacillate between contrasting images. Such writing resonates, creating an indelible mark on its reader’s soul.
- Good writers make use of phonaesthetics. Now, what’s that? Words, when chosen judiciously, not only encapsulate an idea impeccably but also enchant through their sound — that’s what the linguists call phonaesthetics. It’s no coincidence that haunting means “haunting” and tart means “tart”, rather than the other way around.
- Good writers don’t hide their passion. They wear it with pride, confidently expressing their true feelings with clarity and impact.
May these suggestions aid your journey as a writer. Remember, writing is a craft refined not just by sound advice but also by relentless effort. So, don’t stop writing, and slowly but surely, you’ll get there. Good luck!
Kalampedia 